Solution:
(a) The same kind of plants grown and cultivated on a large scale at a place is called crop.
(b) The first step before growing crops is preparation of the soil.
(c) Damaged seeds would float on top of water.
(d) For growing a crop, sufficient sunlight and nutrients and water from the soil are essential.

Solution:

Match the items in Column A with those in Column B

(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

Solution:

(a) Kharif crop

1. Rice

2. Cotton

(b) Rabi crop

1. Wheat

2. Barley

Solution:

(a) Preparation of soil

Preparation of soil is the first step in the process of crop cultivation. It involves loosening the soil, which allows air to enter and improves the growth of plant roots. Farmers use tools like ploughs and harrows to break up the soil, remove weeds, and mix organic matter like manure into it. This helps in creating a fertile environment for the seeds to grow. Proper soil preparation is essential to ensure that crops get enough nutrients and moisture for healthy growth.

(b) Sowing

Sowing is the process of planting seeds in the prepared soil. It can be done either manually or with machines, depending on the scale of farming. Farmers select good-quality seeds and ensure they are placed at the correct depth in the soil. The timing of sowing is crucial, as it must align with the right season for the crops to grow well. Adequate spacing between seeds is also important to prevent overcrowding and ensure healthy growth.

(c) Weeding

Weeding involves removing unwanted plants, or weeds, that grow alongside crops. Weeds compete with crops for water, sunlight, and nutrients, which can reduce the yield. Farmers remove weeds manually, using tools like hoes, or by spraying herbicides. Regular weeding helps maintain a clean field, reducing the risk of crop diseases and pests while promoting healthy plant growth.

(d) Threshing

Threshing is the process of separating the edible part of the crop, such as grains, from the inedible parts like husk and straw. Traditionally, threshing is done by beating the harvested crop, but modern machinery like combine harvesters is now used to make the process faster and more efficient. After threshing, the grains are cleaned and stored for future use, while the leftover straw can be used as fodder for animals or for other purposes.

Solution:

Difference between Fertilisers and Manure

Fertilisers:

• Fertilisers are artificial or synthetic substances that are added to soil to enhance its fertility.
• They are manufactured using chemicals in factories.
• Fertilisers provide essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to plants.
• They are generally fast-acting and provide immediate results in plant growth.
• Fertilisers do not improve the structure of the soil and may even degrade soil quality if overused.
• They are water-soluble and easily absorbed by plants.

Manure:

• Manure is a natural substance made from the decomposed remains of plants and animals.
• It is usually organic and can be obtained from animal dung, compost, or plant residues.
• Manure enriches the soil with organic matter, improving soil structure and water retention.
• It releases nutrients slowly over time, promoting long-term soil fertility.
• Manure is environmentally friendly and helps in recycling organic waste.
• It also contains trace elements and micro-nutrients that are beneficial for plant growth.

Solution:

What is Irrigation?

Irrigation is the artificial process of supplying water to land or crops to help growth, typically through channels, pipes, or sprinklers. It is used in areas where natural rainfall is insufficient to support agricultural activities.

Two Methods of Irrigation that Conserve Water

1. Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is a method where water is supplied directly to the roots of plants through a network of tubes, pipes, and emitters. This method reduces water wastage by delivering water exactly where it's needed, minimizing evaporation and runoff.

2. Sprinkler Irrigation

In sprinkler irrigation, water is sprayed over the crops like rainfall using a system of pipes, pumps, and sprinklers. This method helps in evenly distributing water across the field and reduces water loss due to surface evaporation compared to traditional methods.

Solution:

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

If wheat is sown during the Kharif season, several issues may arise due to the climatic and weather conditions typically associated with this season. The Kharif season in India runs from June to September and is characterized by heavy rainfall, high humidity, and higher temperatures.

Wheat is traditionally a Rabi crop, which is sown in the winter season (from October to December) and harvested in the spring (around March to April). The Rabi season provides the ideal temperature and weather conditions for wheat to grow, which include cooler temperatures and moderate rainfall.

If wheat is sown during the Kharif season, it would face several challenges:

• Excessive Rainfall: Wheat is not tolerant of waterlogged conditions. The heavy rainfall during the Kharif season could lead to waterlogging in the fields, which may damage the wheat plants and reduce the crop yield.
• High Temperatures: Wheat requires cooler temperatures for germination and growth. The high temperatures during the Kharif season may hinder proper growth and development of the wheat plants.
• Pests and Diseases: The Kharif season’s humidity and warmth could encourage the growth of pests and diseases that are detrimental to wheat crops, further reducing the yield.
• Inappropriate Growth Cycle: The growth cycle of wheat is not suited to the Kharif season’s weather conditions. Wheat needs a dry, cool period during its maturation, which is not available during the Kharif season.

In conclusion, sowing wheat in the Kharif season is not recommended as it may result in poor growth and yield due to the unfavorable weather conditions.

Solution:

Effect of Continuous Plantation of Crops on Soil

Soil fertility is affected by continuous plantation of crops in a field due to various reasons:

• Depletion of Nutrients: When crops are continuously grown in the same field, they take up nutrients from the soil. If the nutrients are not replenished, the soil becomes deficient in essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, leading to reduced crop yield.
• Soil Erosion: Continuous cropping can lead to soil erosion, especially if proper soil conservation methods are not followed. The roots of crops help bind the soil, but when crops are not rotated or when there is excessive tilling, the soil may become loose and vulnerable to erosion by wind and water.
• Soil Compaction: Continuous farming may lead to soil compaction, which reduces the pore spaces in the soil. This limits the movement of air, water, and nutrients, affecting the growth of crops.
• Loss of Organic Matter: Continuous cropping without the addition of organic matter, such as compost or manure, can deplete the organic content of the soil. Organic matter is essential for soil structure, water retention, and the support of beneficial microorganisms.
• Acidification or Alkalization: Some crops, like paddy, may increase the acidity of the soil over time, while others may lead to alkalization. This can disturb the pH balance of the soil, making it less suitable for plant growth.
• Pest and Disease Build-up: Continuous cropping of the same crop leads to the build-up of specific pests and diseases in the soil, which can affect the health of crops and reduce yields.

Solution:

What are Weeds? How can we control them?

Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in gardens, fields, and other cultivated areas. They compete with crops and plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Weeds can reduce the growth and yield of desirable plants.

Weeds can be controlled in the following ways:

• Manual removal: Weeds can be pulled out by hand or with tools. This method is effective for small areas.
• Chemical control: Weeds can be controlled using herbicides. These chemicals are specifically designed to kill or inhibit the growth of weeds without harming other plants.
• Mulching: Covering the soil with mulch prevents the growth of weeds by blocking sunlight.
• Crop rotation: Growing different crops in a field each year can help reduce the growth of specific weeds.
• Use of allelopathic plants: Some plants release chemicals that can inhibit the growth of weeds. These are known as allelopathic plants.
• Biological control: Using natural predators or diseases to control weeds is another method. For example, certain insects or fungi can be introduced to reduce weed populations.

Solution:

Flow Chart of Sugarcane Crop Production

1. Preparation of soil
2. Ploughing the field
3. Manuring
4. Sowing
5. Irrigation
6. Harvesting
7. Sending crop to sugar factory

Solution:

Word Puzzle

Down

1. Providing water to the crops.
   Answer: Irrigation
2. Keeping crop grains for a long time under proper conditions.
   Answer: Storage
3. Certain plants of the same kind grown on a large scale.
   Answer: Crop

Across

1. A machine used for cutting the matured crop.
   Answer: Harvester
2. A rabi crop that is also one of the pulses.
   Answer: Gram
3. A process of separating the grain from chaff.
   Answer: Threshing