Crop Production and Management: Exercises and Solutions
Exercises
1. Fill in the Blanks
Question:
a) Damaged seeds would on top of water.
b) For growing a crop, sufficient sunlight and and _ from the soil are essential.
Answer:
a) Damaged seeds would float on top of water.
b) For growing a crop, sufficient sunlight and water and nutrients from the soil are essential.
2. Match the Following
Match items in column A with those in column B.
Column A:
i) Kharif crops
ii) Rabi crops
iii) Chemical fertilisers
iv) Organic manure
Column B:
a) Food for cattle
b) Urea and super phosphate
c) Animal excreta, cow dung urine and plant waste
d) Wheat, gram, pea
e) Paddy and maize
Answer:
i) Kharif crops – e) Paddy and maize
ii) Rabi crops – d) Wheat, gram, pea
iii) Chemical fertilisers – b) Urea and super phosphate
iv) Organic manure – c) Animal excreta, cow dung urine and plant waste
3. Give Two Examples of Each
Question:
a) Kharif crops
b) Rabi crops
Answer:
a) Kharif crops: Paddy, Maize
b) Rabi crops: Wheat, Gram
4. Write a Paragraph in Your Own Words on Each of the Following
Question:
a) Preparation of soil
b) Sowing
c) Weeding
d) Threshing
Answer:
a) Preparation of Soil:
Preparation of soil involves turning and loosening the soil to prepare it for planting. This process is essential as it allows the roots to penetrate deep into the soil, enabling them to access nutrients and water. The process involves ploughing, leveling, and adding manure and fertilizers to enrich the soil.
b) Sowing:
Sowing is the process of planting seeds in the prepared soil. This step is crucial for crop production and involves placing seeds at appropriate depths and distances to ensure proper growth. Modern methods like seed drills are used to ensure uniform distribution and depth.
c) Weeding:
Weeding is the removal of unwanted plants (weeds) that compete with crops for nutrients, water, and sunlight. It can be done manually by hand or using tools, or chemically using weedicides. Regular weeding is necessary to ensure healthy crop growth.
d) Threshing:
Threshing is the process of separating grains from their chaff and straw. It can be done manually using tools like flails or mechanically using threshers or combine harvesters. This process is essential for obtaining clean grain ready for further processing or storage.
5. Explain How Fertilisers Are Different from Manure
Answer:
Fertilisers are chemical substances that supply specific nutrients to the soil, enhancing its fertility and boosting crop yield. They are manufactured with precise nutrient content and are quickly absorbed by plants. Manure, on the other hand, is organic matter such as animal excreta and plant waste that enriches the soil with nutrients slowly as it decomposes. Manure also improves soil structure and water retention but is less nutrient-dense compared to chemical fertilisers.
6. What is Irrigation? Describe Two Methods of Irrigation Which Conserve Water.
Answer:
Irrigation is the artificial application of water to crops to assist in their growth. Two methods of irrigation that conserve water are:
- Drip Irrigation: This method delivers water directly to the plant roots through a network of pipes and emitters. It minimizes water wastage by targeting only the root zone, reducing evaporation and runoff.
- Sprinkler Irrigation: Water is sprayed over crops through sprinklers that simulate rainfall. This method ensures uniform water distribution and reduces water usage by controlling the application rate.
7. If Wheat is Sown in the Kharif Season, What Would Happen? Discuss.
Answer:
If wheat is sown in the Kharif season, it would likely fail to grow properly. Wheat is a Rabi crop, which means it requires cool temperatures for germination and growth. The Kharif season is characterized by hot and humid weather, which is unsuitable for wheat cultivation. The excessive rainfall during this season could also lead to waterlogging, further hampering wheat growth.
8. Explain How Soil Gets Affected by the Continuous Plantation of Crops in a Field.
Answer:
Continuous plantation of crops in a field can lead to soil depletion. Over time, the soil loses its essential nutrients, leading to reduced fertility and poor crop yields. The lack of crop rotation means the soil does not get a chance to naturally replenish nutrients. This continuous strain can also increase the susceptibility to pests and diseases. Adding fertilizers and practicing crop rotation can help mitigate these effects.
9. What Are Weeds? How Can We Control Them?
Answer:
Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in agricultural fields and compete with crops for nutrients, water, and sunlight. They can be controlled by:
- Manual Weeding: Removing weeds by hand or using tools.
- Chemical Weeding: Applying weedicides to kill weeds.
- Mulching: Covering the soil with mulch to prevent weed growth.
- Crop Rotation: Growing different crops in succession to disrupt the weed life cycle.
10. Arrange the Following Boxes in Proper Order to Make a Flow Chart of Sugarcane Crop Production
Answer:
- Preparation of soil
- Ploughing the field
- Sowing
- Irrigation
- Manuring
- Harvesting
- Sending crop to sugar factory
11. Complete the Following Word Puzzle with the Help of Clues Given Below
Down:
- Providing water to the crops.
- Keeping crop grains for a long time under proper conditions.
- Certain plants of the same kind grown on a large scale.
Across:
- A machine used for cutting the matured crop.
- A Rabi crop that is also one of the pulses.
- A process of separating the grain from chaff.
Answer:
Down:
- Irrigation
- Storage
- Crop
Across:
- Harvester
- Gram
- Winnowing
Extended Learning – Activities and Projects
Activity 1: Observing Seed Growth with Drip Irrigation
Instructions:
Sow some seeds in the soil and arrange to water them by drip irrigation. Observe daily.
i) Do you think it can save water?
ii) Note the changes in the seed.
Answer:
i) Drip Irrigation and Water Conservation:
Yes, drip irrigation can save water. This method delivers water directly to the roots of the plants in controlled amounts, which reduces water wastage due to evaporation and runoff. It ensures that plants get the right amount of water at the right time, making it a highly efficient irrigation system.
ii) Observing Seed Changes:
When seeds are sown and watered using drip irrigation, several changes can be observed over time:
- Germination: Seeds absorb water and swell. The seed coat breaks open, and the radicle (first root) emerges.
- Seedling Growth: The shoot emerges, and leaves begin to develop. Regular watering ensures healthy growth and development.
- Root Development: Roots grow deeper and spread out to absorb nutrients and water efficiently.
Activity 2: Collecting and Labeling Seeds
Instructions:
Collect different types of seeds and put them in small bags. Label them.
Answer:
To carry out this activity:
- Collect Seeds: Gather seeds from various plants such as vegetables (tomato, cucumber), fruits (apple, orange), cereals (wheat, rice), and pulses (chickpea, lentil).
- Labeling: Place each type of seed in a small bag and label it with the following information:
- Name of the seed
- Type of plant (vegetable, fruit, cereal, pulse)
- Planting season (Kharif, Rabi, or both)
- Additional notes (e.g., seed size, color)
Activity 3: Collecting Pictures of Agricultural Machines
Instructions:
Collect pictures of some other agricultural machines and paste them in a file. Write their names and uses.
Answer:
Here are some common agricultural machines along with their uses:
- Tractor:
- Use: Pulls farm equipment like ploughs, harrows, seed drills, and trailers.
- Combine Harvester:
- Use: Combines the tasks of reaping, threshing, and winnowing crops like wheat, rice, and barley.
- Seed Drill:
- Use: Sows seeds at the correct depth and spacing, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Rotavator:
- Use: Prepares the soil by breaking it down into a fine seedbed suitable for planting.
- Sprayer:
- Use: Applies pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to crops to protect them from pests and diseases.
Activity 4: Project Work – Visit a Farm, Nursery, or Garden
Instructions:
Visit a farm, nursery, or a garden nearby. Gather information about:
i) Importance of seed selection.
ii) Method of irrigation.
Answer:
i) Importance of Seed Selection:
- Genetic Quality: High-quality seeds ensure better germination rates, disease resistance, and higher yields.
- Adaptability: Selecting seeds suited to the local climate and soil conditions improves crop performance.
- Purity: Pure seeds free from weeds, debris, and other crop seeds reduce competition and contamination.
- Viability: Viable seeds have a high germination potential and contribute to successful crop establishment.
ii) Method of Irrigation:
During the visit, observe different irrigation methods that may be in use:
- Drip Irrigation: Efficient and water-saving method that delivers water directly to the roots.
- Sprinkler Irrigation: Sprays water over crops, simulating rainfall, suitable for larger areas.
- Surface Irrigation: Traditional method where water flows over the soil surface by gravity, used for crops like rice.
By completing these activities, students can gain hands-on experience and deeper understanding of agricultural practices, enhancing their learning and appreciation of farming techniques.
Comprehensive Guide to Agricultural Practices(Crop Production and Management)
1. Agricultural Practices
Definition
Agricultural practices encompass all the activities and techniques used to cultivate crops and rear animals to provide food, fiber, medicinal plants, and other products to sustain and enhance human life.
2. Animal Husbandry
Definition
Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with the care, breeding, and management of livestock.
Functions
- Provides food products such as milk, meat, and eggs.
- Supplies raw materials like wool, leather, and fur.
- Aids in agricultural activities through the use of animals for plowing and transportation.
3. Crop
Definition
A crop is a plant or plant product that can be grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence.
Types
- Rabi Crops: Grown in winter and harvested in spring (e.g., wheat, barley).
- Kharif Crops: Grown in the rainy season and harvested in autumn (e.g., rice, maize).
4. Fertiliser
Definition
Fertilizers are substances added to soil to supply one or more nutrients essential to the growth of plants.
Types
- Organic Fertilizers: Made from natural materials like compost and manure.
- Chemical Fertilizers: Synthetically manufactured to provide specific nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
5. Granaries
Definition
Granaries are storage facilities for threshed grains to protect them from pests and adverse weather.
Functions
- Ensure the availability of grains during off-season.
- Maintain the quality and nutritional value of stored grains.
6. Harvesting
Definition
Harvesting is the process of cutting and gathering mature crops from the fields.
Methods
- Manual Harvesting: Using hand tools like sickles.
- Mechanical Harvesting: Using machines like combine harvesters.
7. Irrigation
Definition
Irrigation is the artificial application of water to soil to aid in the growth of crops.
Types
- Surface Irrigation: Water is applied directly to the soil surface.
- Drip Irrigation: Water is delivered directly to the root zone of plants.
- Sprinkler Irrigation: Water is sprayed over the crops.
8. Kharif
Definition
Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the monsoon season and harvested at the end of the monsoon.
Examples
- Rice
- Maize
- Cotton
9. Manure
Definition
Manure is organic matter used as fertilizer in agriculture.
Types
- Green Manure: Incorporating plants into the soil to improve fertility.
- Farmyard Manure: Decomposed mixture of cattle dung, urine, straw, and other farm residues.
10. Plough
Definition
A plough is a tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting.
Types
- Mouldboard Plough: Turns over the upper layer of the soil.
- Disc Plough: Used in hard, dry, and rocky soils.
11. Rabi
Definition
Rabi crops are sown in winter and harvested in the spring.
Examples
- Wheat
- Barley
- Peas
12. Seeds
Definition
Seeds are embryonic plants enclosed in a protective outer covering, used for sowing.
Importance
- Essential for the reproduction of flowering plants.
- Key to agricultural production and biodiversity.
13. Silo
Definition
A silo is a structure for storing bulk materials, typically used for preserving and protecting silage and grains.
Types
- Tower Silo: Vertical structure, often cylindrical.
- Bunker Silo: Horizontal structure, often dug into the ground.
14. Sowing
Definition
Sowing is the process of planting seeds in the soil.
Methods
- Broadcast Sowing: Scattering seeds over the soil surface.
- Drilling: Planting seeds in rows at a specific depth.
15. Storage
Definition
Storage refers to the methods used to preserve and protect harvested crops until they are ready for use.
Techniques
- Cold Storage: For perishable products like fruits and vegetables.
- Dry Storage: For grains and seeds.
16. Threshing
Definition
Threshing is the process of separating grains from their chaff and straw.
Methods
- Manual Threshing: Using tools like flails.
- Mechanical Threshing: Using threshers or combine harvesters.
17. Weeds
Definition
Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in agricultural fields, competing with crops for nutrients, water, and light.
Control Methods
- Manual Weeding: Physical removal by hand or tools.
- Chemical Weeding: Using herbicides.
18. Weedicides
Definition
Weedicides are chemical substances used to kill unwanted plants (weeds).
Types
- Pre-emergent Weedicides: Applied before weed seeds germinate.
- Post-emergent Weedicides: Applied after weed growth has started.
19. Winnowing
Definition
Winnowing is the process of separating grains from chaff using wind or air.
Methods
- Traditional Method: Tossing grains into the air to let the wind blow away lighter chaff.
- Mechanical Winnowers: Machines that use air currents to perform the separation.
By understanding these fundamental agricultural practices and tools, one can appreciate the complexity and importance of agriculture in sustaining our world.
