agro-

(Greek: land, soil, field, fields; earth; wild, as one who lives in the fields; wildness; savage, savageness)

agrogeological, agrogeologic (adjective); more agrogeological, most agrogeological; more agrogeologic, most agrogeologic
A reference to the study of rock minerals in regard to the importance in farming and horticulture, especially with regards to soil fertility and fertilizer components.

Additional details regarding agrogeological fertilization

By adding rock dust as a complete plant fertilizer along with plant matter, the soil may be much healthier.

  • Rock dusts contain most of the nutrients essential for growth except for nitrogen and phosphorous.
  • The release of nutrients is directly related to weathering, therefore their beneficial effect could last for many years before needing replacement, and even longer if used in conjunction with sustainable farming techniques.
  • The problem of nutrient leaching is minimized as plants take up the nutrients at the same rate as they are being released, and there is also a minimal problem with toxicity from an oversupply of nutrients.
  • Some dusts raise pH, countering the effects of soil acidity often found in certain soils.

If the soil is healthier then the plants will be healthier. Mixed rock dust can provide a full spectrum of minerals to the soil and this improves cellular structure, which could explain why rock dusted plants are more resistant to insect attacks and diseases.

It has been noted that the use of rock dust can reduce (or even replace) fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides.

—Excerpts from "Soil Remineralization"
by Philip C. Madeley of Manchester Metropolitan University, England.
agrogeologist (s) (noun), agrogeologists (pl)
Someone who specializes in the study of minerals that are important to farming and horticulture: The agrogeologist is especially interested in the relationships of soil fertility and the various fertilizer components.
agrogeology (s) (noun), agrogeologies (pl)
The branch of geology dealing with soil, crops, and horticultural sciences, and focusing on practical approaches to land management in developing and developed countries: Agrogeology is the study of minerals of importance to farming and horticulture, especially with regards to soil fertility and fertilizer components. These minerals are usually essential plant nutrients and are referred to as agrominerals.

Expanding the understanding of agrogeology

Agrogeology is the study of the natural fertilization that takes place when weathering breaks rocks into their constituent elements. It was first studied in the early nineteenth century, however the success of the artificial fertilizers eliminated interest in this natural approach until the late 1970s when Dr. Chesworth, a geologist at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, combined his theoretical studies of rock decomposition to determine that weathering of a common volcanic rock, like basalt, made land more fertile.

Continuing studies indicate that volcanic rocks like basalt supply the nutrients necessary for plant and animal growth. The essential elements for plant growth include: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum and chlorine. In addition, the presence of rock fragments in the soil and on the soil surface significantly influences infiltration, runoff, and moisture storage, all of which significantly effect plant growth.

In recent years, soil scientists have conducted numerous studies to reduce the application of chemical fertilizers on the nation's farmlands. Results from these analyses indicate remineralization can achieve a series of benefits:

  • Combat the effects of pests and diseases that effect plant growth.
  • Reduce the water requirements necessary for plant growth.
  • Lower the cost of production and produce higher yields on treated lands.
  • Provide the necessary nutrients to increase the quality and quantity of the plants grown.
—John O. Rudd, Agrogeological Evaluation

agroindustrialist, agro-industrialist (s) (noun); agroindustrialists; agro-industrialists (pl)
Anyone who participates in the production, processing, and packaging of food on a large-scale: Agroindustrialists strive to provide the best quality of packaged food products that is possible.
agroindustrialize, agro-industrialize (verb); agroindustrializes; agroindustrialized, agroindustrializing; agro-industrializes; agro-industrialized; agro-industrializing
1. To industrialize agriculture: Joan wanted to join an organization in order to agroindustrialize a developing country.
2. To convert or to organize into an agro-industry: Mr. Timmons wanted to agroindustrialize livestock production.
agroindustry, agro-industry (s) (noun); agroindustries; agro-industries (pl)
An industry dealing with the supply, processing, and distribution of farm products: An agroindustry performs in large-scale production, processing, and packaging of food using modern equipment and methods.
agroinfection (s) (noun), agroinfections (pl)
A technique for infecting plant cells with DNA from a plant virus: Agroinfection uses the T-DNA portion of a Ti plasmid to infect plant cells.
agrological (noun) (not comparable)
A reference to the science of agriculture; a subdisciple of agronomy: Agrological studies deal with the origin, structure, analysis, classification, etc., of soils, especially in relation to crop production.
agrologist (s) (noun), agrologists (pl)
An specialist in the science of agricultural production; a professional agriculturist: Dr. Williams was an expert agrologist who explored soils and their possible productivity for future use. .
agrology (s) (noun) (no pl)
The branch of agriculture dealing with the science of soils and agricultural production: Agrology is an agricultural science that is concerned with the origin, structure, analysis, classification, etc., of soils, especially in relation to crop production.
agromania (s) (noun) (no pl)
A strong desire or wish to live alone in a pastoral, countryside environment, in solitude, or withdrawal from society; sometimes a symptom of schizophrenia: Sam Jones wanted nothing more than to have a life of agromania, just by himself, his pet, and the influence of the countryside.
An abnormal desire to live in the open areas or in isolation from humans.
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agromaniac (noun), agromaniacs (pl)
A person who has a morbid impulse or desire to live completely alone: After years of a distressing marriage and job, Adam turned out to be an agromaniac who wanted to live in solitude or at least in in the open country away from cities and other people.
agromed, agromedicine (s) (noun); agromeds; agromedicines (pl)
A method of systematic cooperation of land-grant and medical institutions that work together with health professionals: Agromedicine promotes the health and safety of farm families and environments, agriculture workers, consumers of agricultural products, and associated industries.

There are many problem areas in agriculture which require professional health resources to identify the causes and ways to prevent them. When farmer and related industry worker morbidity arises, prompt medical diagnosis and effective treatment is essential.

Further, all of these problem areas require educational outreach to explain, to reassure and to train the public, the agriculture industry workers, and their families about morbidity etiology and the prevention as well as other relevant health and safety promotion.

agrometeorology (s) (noun) (no pl)
A branch of applied meteorology that deals with weather and climate and their influences on agriculture: Mr. Hunter found out that agrometeorology involved the interaction of agricultural factors along with weather and climate, and, in addition, valuable information about how to enhance agricultural crop production-
agromineral (s) (noun), agrominerals (pl)
Any mineral of agricultural application, both as a fertiliser or as a nutrient: Agrominerals are of importance to farming and horticulture, especially with regards to soil fertility and fertilizer components. These agrominerals are usually essential plant nutrients.

Cross references of word families related directly, or indirectly, to: "land, ground, fields, soil, dirt, mud, clay, earth (world)": agra-; agrest-; agri-; argill-; choro-; chthon-; epeiro-; geo-; glob-; lut-; myso-; pedo-; pel-; rhyp-; soil-; sord-; terr-.