Chapter 1. CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Exercises

1. Select the correct word from the following list and fill in the blanks :
   float, water, crop, nutrients, preparation
(a) The same kind of plants grown and cultivated on a large scale at a place is called _____________.
(b) The first step before growing crops is _____________ of the soil.

(c) Damaged seeds would _____________ on top of water.
(d) For growing a crop, sufficient sunlight and _____________ and _____________ from the soil are essential.

Answer :  (a) The same kind of plants grown and cultivated on a large scale at a place is called a crop .

(b) The first step before growing crops is the preparation of the soil.

(c) Damaged seeds would float on top of water.

(d) For growing a crop, sufficient sunlight and water and nutrients from the soil are essential.

2. Match items in column A with those in column B.
          A                                     B
(i) Kharif crops                   (a) Food for cattle
(ii) Rabi crops                    (b) Urea and super phosphate
(iii) Chemical fertilisers       (c) Animal excreta, cow dung urine and plant waste
(iv) Organic manure            (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.
(a) Kharif crop
(b) Rabi crop

Answer : (a) Kharif crop : Rice and Maize .
(b) Rabi crop : Wheat and Mustard .

4. Write a paragraph in your own words on each of the following.
(a) Preparation of soil

(b) Sowing
(c) Weeding

(d) Threshing

Answer : (a) Preparation of soil: Soil preparation is a crucial step in agriculture that involves getting the soil ready for planting crops. It typically includes activities like plowing, harrowing, and adding necessary amendments to improve soil structure, aeration, and fertility. Proper soil preparation ensures better water infiltration, root penetration, and nutrient availability for plant growth.

(b) Sowing: Sowing refers to the process of placing seeds or seedlings into the prepared soil to initiate plant growth. It involves selecting high-quality seeds, determining the optimal time and spacing, and using appropriate techniques like broadcasting or drilling to ensure proper seed placement for optimal germination and crop establishment.

(c) Weeding: Weeding is the practice of removing unwanted plants, known as weeds, from the cultivated area. Weeds compete with crops for resources like water, nutrients, and sunlight, which can adversely affect crop growth and yield. Regular weeding through manual removal or the use of tools helps to minimize weed competition and ensure healthy crop development.

(d) Threshing: Threshing is the process of separating the grains from harvested crops like wheat, rice, or barley. It involves separating the edible part, known as the grain, from the non-edible part, such as the husk or chaff. Threshing methods can vary, from traditional methods like beating the crop manually to using modern machinery like threshers, which mechanically separate the grains from the plant material. Threshing is a critical step in preparing the crop for further processing and consumption .

5. Explain how fertilisers are different from manure.

Answer : Fertilizers and manure are both used to improve soil fertility and provide essential nutrients to plants, but they differ in their composition and origin. Fertilizers are synthetic or chemical substances manufactured specifically to supply specific nutrients to plants. They have a precise nutrient content and can be quickly absorbed by plants. On the other hand, manure is organic matter derived from animal excreta, plant waste, or compost. It contains a mixture of organic materials, provides a slow release of nutrients, and also improves soil structure and water-holding capacity.

6. What is irrigation? Describe two methods of irrigation which conserve water.

Answer : Irrigation refers to the artificial application of water to plants to ensure their growth and productivity.

Two methods of irrigation that help conserve water are:

Drip Irrigation: In this method, water is delivered directly to the plant roots in a slow and precise manner through a network of tubes or pipes with emitters. It minimizes water loss due to evaporation and runoff, providing targeted hydration to plants while reducing overall water usage.

Sprinkler Irrigation: Sprinklers distribute water through a system of sprinkler heads that spray water over the crops. Water is released in a controlled manner, reducing wastage through evaporation and ensuring efficient coverage over the desired area, minimizing water loss.

7. If wheat is sown in the kharif season, what would happen? Discuss.

Answer : : Sowing wheat in the Kharif season is not ideal because wheat is a Rabi crop that requires cooler temperatures for proper growth and development. The Kharif season, characterized by high rainfall and warmer temperatures, is not suitable for wheat cultivation. It may lead to poor germination, stunted growth, and reduced yield of the crop.

8. Explain how soil gets affected by the continuous plantation of crops in a field.

Answer : Continuous plantation of crops in a field can have several effects on the soil. It can lead to nutrient depletion, as specific crops may extract specific nutrients from the soil repeatedly. It can also increase the risk of soil erosion, decrease soil fertility, and increase the prevalence of pests and diseases, requiring additional inputs for sustainable crop production. Crop rotation and proper soil management practices can mitigate these effects.

9. What are weeds? How can we control them?

Answer : Weeds are unwanted plants that compete with cultivated crops for resources such as nutrients, water, and sunlight. They can hinder crop growth and reduce yields.

Weeds can be controlled through methods like manual removal, mulching, herbicide application, crop rotation, and maintaining proper spacing and cultivation practices.

10. Arrange the following boxes in proper order to make a flow chart of sugarcane crop production.

Answer :

11. Complete the following word puzzle with the help of clues given below.

                 Down
1. Providing water to the crops.
2. Keeping crop grains for a long time under proper conditions.
5. Certain plants of the same kind grown on a large scale.

                Across
3. A machine used for cutting the matured crop.
4. A rabi crop that is also one of the pulses.
6. A process of separating the grain from chaff.

Answer :