Improvement in Food Resources
Crops, Manure, Fertilizers & Animal Husbandry
In-Text Questions (Page 204)
Q1. What do we get from cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables?
- Cereals provide carbohydrates (energy).
- Pulses provide proteins.
- Fruits and Vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and some roughage.
In-Text Questions (Page 205)
Q1. How do biotic and abiotic factors affect crop production?
Biotic factors (insects, nematodes, diseases) and Abiotic factors (drought, salinity, heat, cold, frost) can cause significant loss in crop production by reducing yield, degrading quality, and causing poor germination.
Q2. What are the desirable agronomic characteristics for crop improvement?
- Tallness and profuse branching for fodder crops.
- Dwarfness for cereals (to consume less nutrients).
In-Text Questions (Page 206)
Q1. What are macro-nutrients and why are they called so?
Nutrients required by plants in large quantities are called macro-nutrients. There are six: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulphur.
Q2. How do plants get nutrients?
Plants obtain nutrients from:
- Air: Carbon, Oxygen.
- Water: Hydrogen.
- Soil: 13 other nutrients (Macro & Micro).
In-Text Questions (Page 208)
Q1. Compare the use of manure and fertilizers in maintaining soil fertility.
- Manure: Adds humus, improves soil texture and water holding capacity. Slow acting but long-term benefit.
- Fertilizers: Provide specific nutrients immediately but excessive use kills soil microbes and degrades soil structure.
Main Textbook Exercises
Q1. Explain anyone method of crop production which ensures high yield.
Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field in a definite pattern (e.g., Soybean + Maize). This ensures maximum utilization of nutrients supplied, prevents pests/diseases from spreading to all plants, and gives better return.
Q4. What is genetic manipulation? How is it useful in agricultural practices?
Genetic manipulation allows the incorporation of desirable characters (like high yield, disease resistance) into crop varieties by hybridisation or gene modification. This creates Genetically Modified Crops (GMOs) that are better suited for specific conditions.
Q8. What is the difference between capture fishing, mariculture and aquaculture?
- Capture fishing: Catching fish from natural resources (sea, river).
- Mariculture: Culture of marine fish (Mullets, Bhetki) in coastal water.
- Aquaculture: Production of fish from freshwater and brackish water resources.
Improvement in Food Resources
Classification, Methods & Tables
1. Crop Seasons
Rainy Season (June - Oct).
Examples: Paddy, Soybean, Pigeon pea, Maize, Cotton.Winter Season (Nov - April).
Examples: Wheat, Gram, Peas, Mustard, Linseed.2. Essential Nutrients for Plants
| Source | Nutrients |
|---|---|
| Air | Carbon, Oxygen |
| Water | Hydrogen |
| Soil (Macro) | Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulphur (6) |
| Soil (Micro) | Iron, Manganese, Boron, Zinc, Copper, Molybdenum, Chlorine (7) |
3. Cropping Patterns
Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land without definite pattern.
Ex: Wheat + Gram, Wheat + Mustard.Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field in a definite pattern (rows).
Ex: Soybean + Maize, Finger Millet (Bajra) + Cowpea (Lobia).Growing different crops on a piece of land in a pre-planned succession.
4. Animal Breeds
- Local: Red Sindhi, Sahiwal (Heat Resistant).
- Exotic: Jersey, Brown Swiss (Long lactation).
- Indigenous: Aseel.
- Foreign: Leghorn.
- Broilers: For meat.
- Layers: For eggs.
- Indian Bee: Apis cerana indica.
- Italian Bee: Apis mellifera (High honey collection, stings less).
Key Facts & Definitions
50+ Important Points to Remember
Farming methods that are environmentally safe and profitable.
Grown in rainy season (June to Oct). e.g., Paddy.
Grown in winter season (Nov to April). e.g., Wheat.
Crossing between genetically dissimilar plants.
Genetically Modified crops with desired DNA.
Required in large quantities (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S).
Required in small quantities (Fe, Mn, B, Zn, Cu, Mo, Cl).
Organic matter from animal excreta and plant waste.
Decomposed organic waste used as manure.
Compost prepared using earthworms.
Plants mulched into soil to enrich Nitrogen/Phosphorus.
Commercially produced plant nutrients (N, P, K).
Farming with minimal or no use of chemicals.
Supplying water to crops (Wells, Canals, Tanks).
Two+ crops together without pattern (Wheat + Gram).
Two+ crops in alternate rows (Soybean + Maize).
Growing different crops in succession.
Unwanted plants competing for nutrients (Parthenium).
Chemicals to kill pests (Herbicides, Insecticides).
Scientific management of animal livestock.
Milk-producing females (Cows, Buffaloes).
Used for farm labour (Bullocks).
Indian Cow.
Buffalo.
Period of milk production after calf birth.
Animal feed low in fibre, high in protein.
Poultry birds raised for eggs.
Poultry birds raised for meat.
Indigenous breed of hen.
Exotic breed of hen.
Fishing from natural resources.
Fish farming.
Marine fish culture (Prawns, Oysters).
Inland fish culture (Freshwater/Brackish).
Growing 5-6 species in one pond (Surface, Middle, Bottom feeders).
Beekeeping for honey and wax.
Bee farms.
Indian bee.
Italian bee (High honey yield).
Flowers available for bees (Determines taste of honey).
High fibre animal feed.
Using fumes to kill pests in grain storage.
Fix atmospheric nitrogen (Pulses).
Increase in fish production.
Increase in milk production.
Increase in food grain production.
Surface feeders.
Middle zone feeders.
Bottom feeders.
Living organisms (Blue-green algae) used to enrich soil.