Agronomist

Horticultural Consultancy & Agribusiness

Agronomist

Core tasks

Investigate soil types to see which management techniques help to enhance plant growth whilst conserving the soil.
Investigate how soil develops, changes, and impacts the land-based ecosystems and surrounding living habitat.
Identify contaminated or degraded soils and to develop plans that improves their biological, chemical, and physical properties.
Develop improved techniques for measurement, soil sampling devices, and similar technology.
Study soil characteristics and classify them on their geographic location, properties and landscape position.
Experiment with high yielding seeds, their disease resistance, adaptation to soils and nutritional value.
Monitor the crop from sowing to harvest and make sure there are no pests or diseases.
Communicate project and research results to other professionals and the public through seminars and workshops.

The Career Pathways

An agronomist is a scientist who studies plants and soils and applies the knowledge to strengthen the crop production techniques and soil management procedures.

Agronomists are in high demand in the horticulture industry, they are critical in helping to improve soil and crop production. Agronomists work primarily with growers, scientists, and farm managers to develop better crop production techniques, soil management procedures, and improve the overall health of the farm.

Their time is generally split between visiting farms and working in the laboratory running soil and crop samples. An agronomist works primarily on their own but requires excellent communication skills to help growers implement and manage changes to their growing procedures.