Farming System : Principles and Practices

Contents Foreword. Preface. Introduction. I. Cropping system 1. Principles and concepts. 2. Cropping system definition and classification. 3. Intensive cropping. 4. Crop rotation. 5. Plant interactions in cropping system. 6. Agronomic requirements of cropping system. 7. Cost reduction in crop production. 8. Evaluation indices of cropping system. II. Feed and forage crops 1. Livestock and Indian agriculture. 2. Feed and forages. 3. Details on forage crops. 4. Forage quality. 5. Fodder preservation. 6. Problem soil management. 7. Forage seed production. III. Farming system 1. Importance. 2. Farming system. 3. Integrated farming system. 4. Integrated farming system research and development in Tamil Nadu. The agricultural systems have encountered various kinds of ecological and environmental problems due to the growing pressure of human population on the carrying capacity of land and the productivity. There is no scope for horizontal expansion of land for food feed and fibre production. Only vertical expansion is possible by integrating appropriate farming component requiring less space and time while ensuring periodic income to the farmers. The ultimate goal of sustainable agriculture is to conserve the natural resource base protect the environment and enhance the health and safety of human population over a longer period which can be achieved by proper understanding the science behind farming system principles and practices. Thus this book will definitely serve as a reference book for the agricultural students extension personnel scientists and policy makers. 330 pp. …