Theory
Unit I
Cropping systems: definition, indices and its importance; physical resources, soil and water management in cropping systems; assessment of land use.
Unit II
Concept of sustainability in cropping systems and farming systems, scope and objectives; production potential under monoculture cropping, multiple cropping, alley cropping, sequential cropping and intercropping, mechanism of yield advantage in intercropping systems.
Unit III
Above and below ground interactions and allelopathic effects; competition relations; multi-storied cropping and yield stability in intercropping, role of non-monetary inputs and low-cost technologies; research need on sustainable agriculture.
Unit IV
Crop diversification for sustainability; role of organic matter in maintenance of soil fertility; crop residue management; fertilizer use efficiency and concept of fertilizer use in intensive cropping system. Advanced nutritional tools for big data analysis and interpretation. Aligning agriculture research with sustainable development goals
Unit V
Plant ideotypes for drylands; plant growth regulators and their role in sustainability. Artificial Intelligence- Concept and application.