Agronomy
Agronomy looks at agriculture from an integrated, holistic perspective. Agronomists are specialists in crop and soil science, as well as ecology. Some things they look at are:
- The properties of the soil;
- How the soil interacts with the growing crop;
- What nutrients (fertilizers) the crop needs;
- When and how to apply these nutrients;
- The ways that crops grow and develop;
- How climate and other environmental factors affect the crop at all stages;
- How best to control weeds, insects, fungi, and other crop pests; and,
- How to grow crops effectively and profitably while conserving and protecting the environment.
--- American Society of Agronomy