Question 1.
What is ploughing or tilling? State its advantages.
Answer:
The process of loosening and turning of the soil is called tilling or ploughing. This is done
by using a plough. Ploughs are made of wood or iron.
Following are the advantages of ploughing or tilling:
• Ploughing loosens the soil and makes it aerated.
• It helps in mixing organic matter with the soil uniformly.
• It initiates the growth of natural agents and microorganisms and thus, keeps the soil
fertile.
• It increases the water holding capacity of soil.
• It helps in easy penetration of root into the soil.
Question 2.
Define the term agricultural practices and also state the important steps taken during crop
production.
Answer:
Agricultural practices are those practices which involves the necessary steps to be taken
during production of crops. There are number of steps of crop production which are to be
done very carefully to ensure that crops get produced timely.
Some of the most important steps taken during crop production are as under:
• Soil preparation
• Sowing
• Adding manure and fertilisers
• Irrigation
• Weeding
• Harvesting
• Threshing and winnowing
• Storage of grains
Question 3.
What is irrigation? Name the two main methods of irrigation and define them briefly.
Answer:
The artificial method of watering the plants for assisting in the growth of the plants is called
irrigation. The two main methods of irrigation are:
• Traditional method: The traditional method of irrigation is very less expensive and
they often lead to wastage of water. Traditional method of irrigation involves chain
pump, dhekli, moat (the pulley system) and rahat (lever system).
• Modern method: Modern methods of irrigation are more inclined towards the use of
diesel, bio¬gas, solar energy and electricity for lifting water.
The two most important modern system of irrigation are:
◦ Sprinkler irrigation system
◦ Drip irrigation system
Question 4.
What do you mean by weeding? Why the process of weeding necessary? Name the meth-
ods applied for weeding.
Answer:
The undesirable plants that grow among the crops are called weeds. The process of re-
moving these weeds is known as weeding. Weeds compete with the crop plants for nutri-
ents and space. They grow much rapidly than the crop plant. So weeding is necessary.
Methods applied for weeding are as follows:
• Manual method: Manual method of removing weeds is the most time consuming
method. In this system weeds are controlled by hand pulling, digging, shallow
tillage, etc., by using certain implements like khurpi, hoe, etc.
• Chemical method: In this method chemicals called, weedicides are used to remove
weeds. For example, metachlor and 2, 4-D.
• Biological control method: This method is the most commonly used method of weed
control. It involves the use of some specific insects that destroy the growth of some
specific weeds. For example, leafy spurge, a weed, is controlled by using flea bee-
tles.
Question 5.
Write short note on the terms:
• Storage
• Harvesting
Answer:
• Storage: Storage of produce is an important task. If the crop grains are to be kept
for longer time, they should be safe from moisture, insects, rats and microorgan-
isms. Before storing, the grains are properly dried in the sun to reduce the moisture
in them. This prevents the attack by insect pests, bacteria and fungi. Grains are
stored by farmers in jute bags or metallic bins. However, large scale storage of
grains is done in silos and granaries to protect them from pests like rats and in-
sects.
• Harvesting: After maturation of crop, harvesting is an important task. In harvesting,
crops are pulled out or cut close to the ground. It usually takes 3 to 4 months for a
cereal crop to mature. Harvesting in our country is either done manually by sickle or
by machine called harvester.
Question 6.
What are the advantages of levelling?
Answer:
Following are the advantages of levelling:
• Levelling helps to prevent soil erosion caused by wind or air.
• It helps in sowing the seeds uniformly, and thus helps the plants to grow uniformly
too.
• It helps in proper irrigation by allowing the water to get distributed uniformly
throughout the soil.
Question 7.
Explain the term transplantation.
Answer:
Some of the crops are first grown in the nurseries and then transferred to the main field.
This process is known as transplantation.
