Intext Questions

Q.1     What do we get from cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables?
Sol.      (i) Cereals provide us with carbohydrates. Also, they are a rich source of energy.
(ii) Pulses give us proteins.
(iii) Fruits and vegetables are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. A small amount of proteins,
carbohydrates, and fats are also present in them.

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Page 205

Q.1     How do biotic and abiotic factors affect crop production?
Sol.      A variety of biotic factors such as pests, nematodes, diseases, etc. can reduce the net crop production. A pest causes damage to agriculture by feeding on crops. For example, boll weevil is a pest on cotton. It attacks the cotton crop, thereby reducing its yield. Weeds also reduce crop productivity by competing with the main crop for nutrients, light, and space. Similarly, abiotic factors such as salinity, temperature, etc. affect the net crop production. Some natural calamities such as droughts and floods are
unpredictable. Their occurrence has a great impact on crops sometimes, destroying the entire crop.

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Q.2     What are the desirable agronomic characteristics for crop improvements?
Sol.      The desirable agronomic characteristics for crop improvements are:
(i) Tallness and profuse branching in any fodder crop.
(ii) Dwarfness in cereals.
These desirable agronomic characteristic shelp in increasing crop productivity.

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Page 206

Q.1     What are macro-nutrients and why are they called macro-nutrients?
Sol.      Macro-nutrientsare nutrients required in relatively large quantities for growth and development of
plants. They are six in number. Since they are required in large quantities, they are known as macro-nutrient. The six macro-nutrients required by plants are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium,
magnesium, and sulphur.

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Q.2    How do plants get nutrients?
Sol.     Plants require sixteen essential nutrients from nature for their growth and development. All these
nutrients are obtained from air, water, and soil. Soil is the major source of nutrients. Thirteen of these
nutrients are available from soil. The remaining three nutrients (carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen) are
obtained from air and water.

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Page 207

Q.1     Compare the use of manure and fertilizers in maintaining soil fertility.
Sol.      Manures increase soil fertility by enriching the soil with organic matter and nutrients as it is prepared by  the decomposition of animal excreta and plant wastes. On the other hand, fertilizers are mostly inorganic compounds whose excessive use is harmful to the symbiotic micro-organisms living in soil. Their excessive use also reduces soil fertility. Hence, fertilizers are considered good for only short term use.

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Page 208

Q.1     Which of the following conditions will give the most benefits? Why?
           (a) Farmers use high-quality seeds, do not adopt irrigation or use fertilizers.
           (b) Farmers use ordinary seeds, adopt irrigation and use fertilizer.
           (c) Farmers use quality seeds, adopt irrigation, use fertilizer and use crop protection measures.
Sol.     (c) Farmers using good quality seeds, adopting irrigation, using fertilizers, and using crop protection measures will derive most benefits.
(i) The use of good quality seeds increases the total crop production. If a farmer is using good quality seeds, then a majority of the seeds will germinate properly, and will grow into a healthy plant.
(ii) Proper irrigation methods improve the water availability to crops.
(iii) Fertilizers ensure healthy growth and development in plants by providing the essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.
(iv) Crop protection measures include various methods to control weeds, pests, and infectious agents. If all these necessary measures are taken by a farmer, then the overall production of crops will increase.

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Page 209

Q.1     Why should preventive measures and biological control methods be preferred for protecting crops?
Sol.     Preventive measures and biological control methods should be preferred for protecting crops because excessive use of chemicals leads to environmental problems. These chemicals are also poisonous for plants and animals. Preventive measures include proper soil and seed preparation, timely sowing of seeds, inter cropping and mixed cropping, usage of resistant varieties of crops, etc. On the other hand, biological control methods include the usage of bio-pesticides that are less toxic for the environment. An example of bio-pesticides is Bacillus thuringenes is,which is an insect pathogen that kills a wide range of insect larvae. Therefore, both preventive measures and biological control methods are considered eco-friendly methods of crop protection.

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Q.2     What factors may be responsible for losses of grains during storage?
Sol.      During the storage of grains, various biotic factors such as insects, rodents, mites,fungi, bacteria, etc. and  various abiotic factors such as inappropriate moisture, temperature, lack of sunlight, blood, etc. are responsible for losses of grains. These factors act on stored grains and result in degradation, poor
germinability, discolouration, etc.

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Page 210

Q.1    Which method is commonly used for improving cattle breeds and why?
Sol.     Cattle farming is commonly used for improving cattle breeds. The purpose of cattle farming is to increase the production of milk and draught labour for agricultural work. Dairy animals (females) are used for obtaining milk and draught animals (males) are engaged in agricultural fields for labour work such as carting, irrigation, tilling, etc. Cross breeding between two good varieties of cattle will produce a
new improved variety. For example, the cross between foreign breeds such as Jersey Brown, Swiss
(having long lactation periods) and Indian breeds such as Red Sindhi, Sahiwal (having excellent
resistance power against diseases) produces a new variety having qualities of both breeds.

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Page 211

Q.1     Discuss the implications of the following statement: “It is interesting to note that poultry is India’s most  efficient converter of low fibre food stuff (which is unfit for human consumption) into highly nutritious animal protein food.”
Sol.      Poultry in India is the most efficient converter of low fibre food stuff into highly nutritious animal protein food. In poultry farming, domestic fowls are raised to produce eggs and chicken. For this, the fowls are given animal feeds in the form of roughage, which mainly consists of fibres. Thus, by feeding animals a fibre rich diet, the poultry gives highly nutritious food in the form of eggs and chicken

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Q.1     What management practices are common in dairy and poultry farming?
Sol.     Common management practices in dairy and poultry farming are:
(i) Proper shelter facilities and their regular cleaning.
(ii) Some basic hygienic conditions such as clean water, nutritious food, etc.
(iii) Animals are kept in spacious, airy, and ventilated place.
(iv) Prevention and cure of diseases at the right time is ensured.

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Q.2     What are the differences between broilers and layers and in their management?
Sol.     Layersare meant for egg production, whereas broilers are meant for poultry meat. Nutritional,
environmental, and housing conditions required by broilers are different from those required by egg
layers. A broiler chicken, for their proper growth, requires vitamin rich supplementse specially vitamin A
and K. Also, their diet includes protein rich food and enough fat. They also require extra care
and maintenance to increase their survival rate in comparison to egg layers.

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Page 213

Q.1     How are fish obtained?
Sol.      Fish can be obtained by two ways:
(i) Capture fishing: It is the process of obtaining fish from natural resources.
(ii) Culture fishery: It is the practice of farming fishes. Farming can be done in both freshwater               ecosystem
(which includes river water, pond water) and marine ecosystem.

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Q.2     What are the advantages of composite fish culture?
Sol.      An advantage of composite fish culture is that it increases the yield of fish. In a composite fish culture,five or six different species are grown together in a single fish pond. Fishes with different food habitats are chosen so that they do not compete for food among themselves. Also, this ensures a complete utilization of food resources in the pond. As a result, the survival rate of fish increases and their yield also increases.

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Q.1     What are the desirable characters of bee varieties suitable for honey production?
Sol.      Bee varieties having the following desirable characters are suitable for honey production:
(i) They should yield high quantity of honey.
(ii) They should not sting much.
(iii) They should stay in the beehive for long durations.
(iv) They should breed very well.

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Q.2     What is pasturage and how is it related to honey production?
Sol.      Pasturage is the availability of ϐlowers from which bees collect nectar and pollen. I t is related to the production of honey as it determines the taste and quantity of honey.

Exercise

Q.1     Explain any one method of crop production which ensures high yield.
Sol.        Crop rotation is one of the methods of crop production that ensures high yield. It is the method of growing two or more varieties of crops on the same land in sequential seasons. A crop utilises some particular nutrients in larger quantities from the soil. Then, if the same crop is grown in subsequent seasons those nutrients will get depleted in the soil. Therefore, crops having different nutrient requirements are rotated. For example, legumes which have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules supply the soil with nitrogen. Therefore, these legumes are rotated with nitrogen requiring cereals such as wheat and maize. This method reduces the need of fertilizers, thereby increasing the overall yield of crops.

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Q.2     Why are manures and fertilizers used in fields?
Sol.      Manures and fertilizers are used in fields to enrich the soil with the required nutrients. Manure helps in enriching the soil with organic matter and nutrients. This improves the fertility and structure of the soil. On the other hand, fertilizers ensure a healthy growth and development in plants. They are a good source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. To get an optimum yield, it is instructed to use a balanced combination of manures and fertilizers in the soil.

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Q.3     What are the advantages of inter-cropping and crop rotation?
Sol.      Inter-cropping and crop rotation both play an important role in increasing the yield of crops. Inter-cropping helps in preventing pests and diseases to spread throughout the field. It al so increases soil
fertility, whereas crop rotation prevents soil depletion, increases soil fertility, and reduces soil erosion.
Both these methods reduce the need for fertilizers. It also helps in controlling weeds and controls the
growth of pathogens and pests in crops.

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Q.4     What is genetic manipulation? How is it useful in agricultural practices?
Sol.      Genetic manipulation is a process where the gene for a particular character is introduced inside the chromosome of a cell. When the gene for a particular character is introduced in a plant cell, a transgenic plant is produced. These transgenic plants exhibit characters governed by the newly introduced gene. For example, let us assume there is a wild plant that produces small fruits. If the gene responsible for a larger fruit size is introduced in this plant, this plant becomes transgenic, and starts producing larger fruits. Similarly, genes for higher yield, disease resistance, etc. can be introduced in any desired plant. Therefore, gene manipulation plays an important role in agricultural practices. It helps in improving crop variety. It ensures food security and insect resistant crops. It also improves the quality and yield of crops.

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Q.6     How do good animal husbandry practices benefit farmers?
Sol.      Cattle farming is one of the methods of animal husbandry that is most beneficial for farmers. Using this method, better breeds of draught animals can be produced. Such draught animals are engaged in agricultural fields for labour work such as carting, irrigation, tilling, etc.

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Q.7     What are the benefits of cattle farming?
Sol.       Benefits of cattle farming:
(i) Good quality and quantity of milk can be produced.
(ii) Draught labour animals can be produced for agricultural work.
(iii) New variety that are resistant to diseases can be produced by crossing two varieties with the desired traits.

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Q.8     For increasing production, what is common in poultry, fisheries and bee-keeping?
Sol.      The common factor for increasing production in poultry, fisheries, and bee keeping is the proper
management techniques that are to be followed. Regular cleaning of farms is of utmost importance.
Maintenance of temperature and prevention and cure of diseases is also required to increase the number
of animals.

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Q.9     How do you differentiate between capture fishing, mariculture and aquaculture?
Sol.      Capture fishing – It is the method of obtaining fishes from natural resources. Mariculture – It is the culture of marine fishes for commercial use. Aquaculture – It involves the production of aquatic animals that are of high economic value such as prawns, lobsters, fishes, crabs, etc.

 

Exemplar

Multiple Choice Questions : –

Q.1 Which one is an oil yielding plant among the following?

(a) Lentil

(b) Sunflower

(c) Cauliflower

(d) Hibiscus

Sol. (b)

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Q.2 Which one is not a source of carbohydrate?

(a) Rice

(b) Millets

(c) Sorghum

(d) Gram

Sol.  (d)

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Q.3 Find out the wrong statement from the following

(a) White revolution is meant for increase in milk production

(b)  Blue revolution is meant for increase in fish production

(c) Increasing food production without compromising with environmental  quality is called as sustainable agriculture

(d) None of the above

Sol. (d)

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Q.4 To solve the food problem of the country, which among the following is  necessary?

(a) Increased production and storage of food grains

(b) Easy access of people to the food grain

(c) People should have money to purchase the grains

(d)  All of the above

Sol. (d)

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Q.5 Find out the correct sentence

(i) Hybridisation means crossing between genetically dissimilar plants

(ii) Cross between two varieties is called as inter specific hybridisation

(iii) Introducing genes of desired character into a plant gives genetically modified crop

(iv) Cross  between  plants  of  two  species  is  called  as  inter  varietal hybridisation

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (ii) and (iv)

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (iii) and (iv)

Sol. (a)

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Q.6 Weeds affect the crop plants by

(a) killing of plants in field before they grow

(b) dominating the plants to grow

(c) competing for various resources of crops (plants) causing low availability of nutrients

(d) all of the above.

Sol. (c)

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Q.7 Which one of the following species of honey bee is an Italian species?

(a) Apis  dorsata

(b) Apis  florae

(c) Apis cerana indica

(d) Apis  mellifera

Sol. (d)

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Q.8 Find out the correct sentence about manure

(i) Manure contains large quantities of organic matter and small quantities of nutrients.

(ii) It increases the water holding capacity of sandy soil.

(iii) It helps in draining out of excess of water from  clayey soil.

(iv) Its excessive use pollutes environment because it is made of animal excretory waste.

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (i) and (ii)

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (iii) and (iv)

Sol. (b)

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Q.9 Cattle husbandry is done for the following purposes

(i) Milk Production

(ii) Agricultural work

(iii) Meat production

(iv) Egg production

(a) (i), (ii)  and (iii)

(b)  (ii), (iii)  and (iv)

(c) (iii) and (iv)

(d) (i) and (iv)

Sol. (a)

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Q.10 Which of the following are Indian cattle?

(i) Bos  indicus

(ii) Bos  domestica

(iii) Bos bubalis

(iv) Bos  vulgaris

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (i) and (ii)

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (iii) and (iv)

Sol.  (a)

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Q.11 Which of the following are exotic breeds?

(i) Brawn

(ii) Jersey

(iii) Brown Swiss

(iv) Jersey Swiss

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (ii) and (iii)

(c) (i) and (iv)

(d) (ii) and (iv)

Sol. (b)

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Q.12 Poultry farming is undertaken to raise following

(i) Egg production

(ii) Feather production

(iii) Chicken meat

(iv) Milk production

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (i) and (ii)

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (iii) and (iv)

Sol.  (a)

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Q.13  Poultry fowl are susceptible to the following pathogens

(a) Viruses

(b) Bacteria

(c)  Fungi

(d)  All of the above

Sol.  (d)

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Q.14  Which one of the following fishes is a surface feeder?

(a) Rohus

(b)  Mrigals

(c)  Common carps

(d)  Catlas

Sol. (d)

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Q.15 Animal husbandry is the scientific management of

(i) animal breeding

(ii) culture of animals

(iii) animal livestock

(iv) rearing of animals

(a) (i), (ii) and  (iii)

(b)  (ii), (iii) and (iv)

(c) (i), (ii)  and (iv)

(d)  (i), (iii)  and (iv)

Sol. (d)

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Q. 16 Which one of the following nutrients is not available in fertilizers?

(a) Nitrogen

(b) Phosphorus

(c) Iron

(d) Potassium

Sol.  (c)

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Q.17 Preventive and control measures adopted for the storage of grains include

(a) strict cleaning

(b) proper disjoining

(c) fumigation

(d)  all of the above

Sol.  (d)

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Q. 18 Match the column A with the column B

Column (A)                           Column (B)

(a) Catla                                 (i) Middle-zone feeders

(b) Rohu                                 (ii) Bottom feeders

(c) Mrigal                               (iii) Surface feeders

(d)  Fish farming                   (iv)  Culture fishery

Sol. (a) – (ii) , (b) – (iii) , (c) – (i)  (d) – (iv)

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Q.19 Fill in the blanks

(a) Pigeon pea is a good source of _____________.

(b)  Berseem is an important ___________crop.

(c) The crops which are grown in rainy season are called____________crops.

(d)  _____________ are rich in vitamins.

(f) __________ crop grows in winter season.

Sol. (a) Protein

(b) Fodder

(c) Kharif

(d) Vegetable

(e) Rabi

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Q.20 What is a GM crop? Name any one such crop which is grown in India.

GM crops are the crops which have been developed by the introduction of a new gene with a desired trait from a bacterium, with the help of a vector to modify/improve the crop’s original characters. These are well known as genetically modified crops.

E.g.: BT cotton which is a GM crop was developed insect resistant by the introduction of a new gene

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Q.21 List out some useful traits in improved crop?

Following are the few traits observed in improved crops:-

1. Yield is improved to a high level.

2. Resistance developed from biotic and abiotic stresses.

3. Disease resistance is developed.

4. Enhanced nutritional qualities.

5. Adaptabilities were improved in the crop.

6. Desired agronomic characteristics were developed e.g. improved shelf life, more pulpiness, seed less, etc.

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Q.22 Why is organic matter important for crop production?

The importance of organic matter for crop production are as follows:-

1. Soil fertility will be improved.

2. It enhances soil structure and porosity in soil.

3. It also helps in improving water holding capabilities in sand cultivation.

4. Organic matter also helps in improving drainage.

5. Water logging problems in clay soil will also be improved.

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Q.23 Why is excess use of fertilizers detrimental for environment?

Excess use of fertilizers is detrimental for environment because when used in excess quantities, the residual and unused part is left behind. This can result in the development of pollution by contaminating water, air, and soil present in the surrounding.

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Q.24 Give one word for the following

(a) Farming without the use of chemicals as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides is known as__________.

(b) Growing of wheat and groundnut on the same field is called as __________.

(c) Planting soyabean and maize in alternate rows in the same field is called as _________.

(d) Growing different crops on a piece of land in  pre-planned succession is known as___________.

(e)  Xanthium and Parthenium are commonly known as____________ .

(f) Causal organism of any disease is called as _____________.

(a)  Farming

(b)  Mixed Cropping

(c)  Inter  Cropping

(d) Crop Rotation

(e)  Weeds

(f)  Pathogen

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Q.25 Match the following A and B

              Column (A)                                                   Column (B)

(a) Cattle used for tilling and carting                  (i) Local breed of cattle  Animals

(b) Indian breed of chicken                                   (ii) Broiler

(c) Sahiwal, Red Sindhi                                         (iii) Milk producing female

(d) Milch                                                                  (iv) Drought

(e) Chicken better fed for obtaining meat          (v) Aseel

(a) – (iii) , (b)  – (v) , (c) – (iv) , (d) – (i) ; (e) – (ii)

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Q.26 If there is low rainfall in a village throughout the year, what measures will you  suggest to the farmers for better cropping?

The village needs to take necessary measures responsible for water conservation. Following are some suggestions which could be helpful:-

1. Use of organic manure and humus increases the water holding capacity of soil for longer time period.

2. Cultivating drought resistant and early maturing crops.

3. Constructing short canals from rivers.

4. Building rain water storage tanks.

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Q.27 Group the following and tabulate them as energy yielding, protein yielding, oil yielding and fodder crop.

Wheat, rice, berseem, maize, gram, oat, pigeon gram, sudan grass, lentil, soyabean, groundnut, castor and mustard.

•  Energy yielding – wheat, rice, maize

•  Protein yielding – gram, pigeon, lentil, soybean

•  Oil yielding- groundnut, castor, mustard, soybean

•   Fodder crops – barseem, oat, Sudan grass.

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Q.28  Define the term hybridization and photoperiod.

Hybridization refers to the cross breeding of two genetically dissimilar organisms to produce a hybrid crop consisting of two different traits.

Photoperiod is the duration of sunlight which is available to the plant. This affects growth of plant, flowering, and maturation of crops.

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Q.29  Fill in the blanks

(a) Photoperiod affect the ____________.

(b) Kharif crops are cultivated from ___________to__________.

(c)  Rabi crops are cultivated from___________to__________.

(d)  Paddy, maize, green gram and black gram are __________ crops.

(e)  Wheat, gram, pea, mustard are ___________crops.

(a)   Flowering in plants

(b)   June to October

(c)   Nov to April

(d)   Kharif

(e)   Rabi

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Q.30 Cultivation practices and crop yield are related to environmental condition.

Explain.

Various crops require different conditions for cultivation such as, climate, temperature, photoperiod, etc. for their proper growth and life cycle completion. Few crops have the tendency to grow only in rainy season (Kharif), or only in winters (Rabi crops). This shows that the cultivation requirements and environmental conditions differ for all variety of crops.

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Q.31 Fill in the blanks

(a) A total of _________ nutrients are essential to plants.

(b) __________ and ___________ are supplied by air to plants.

(c) __________ is supplied by water to plants.

(d)  Soil supply __________ nutrients to plants.

(e) __________ nutrients are required in large quantity and called as _________.

(f) __________  nutrients are needed in small quantity for plants and are called _______.

(a)     16

(b)    Carbon; Oxygen

(c)   Hydrogen

(d)   13

(e)   6; Macronutrients

(f)    Macronutrients

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Q.32 Differentiate between compost and vermicompost?

Compost formation is the process by which decomposition of the organic wastes (like livestock excretions, vegetable wastes, animal wastes, domestic wastes, eradicated weeds, straws etc.) takes place to produce manures which are beneficial for crops.

Vermi-compost is the degradation of organic matter present in waste to produce manures with the help of earthworms.

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Q.33 Arrange these statements in correct sequence of preparation of green manure.

(a) Green plants are decomposed in soil.

(b) Green plants are cultivated for preparing manure or crop plant parts are used.

(c) Plants are ploughed and mixed into the soil.

(d)  After decomposition it becomes green manure.

Sol.   b-c-a-d

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Q.34 An Italian bee variety A. mellifera has been introduced in India for honey production. Write about its merits over other varieties.

The merits of Italian bee variety (A. mellifera) are as follows:-

(a) It is basically docile and stings are absent.

(b) It has high honey yielding capacity.

(c) It has the property of homely, i.e. it stays in the bee hive only.

(d) It breeds well and has no difficulties.

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Q.35 In agricultural practices, higher input gives higher yield. Discuss how?

The statement that ‘in agriculture, high input means high yield’ demonstrates that if more money is invested using good farming practices and high technology then good productive yields will be generated. The purchase of good quality seeds, effective pesticides, fertilizers and manures, allow good cropping system of productivity.