Chapter 1

Crop
Production and Management

Photo courtesy : Unsplash

After this lesson you
will know
The importance of Farming and farmers.

Why we need to enhance Crop production?

The steps of producing Crop.

Why domestication of Animals is beneficial.

Very Important
Mildly Important
Important
None General
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Compendium
A. Introduction
I. History of Agriculture
II. Crop

B. Agricultural Practices
I. Soil Preparation
II. Sowing of Seeds
III. Irrigation
IV. Weeding
V. Harvesting
VI. Threshing
VII. Winnowing
VIII. Storage

C. Animal Husbandry
I. Cattle Farming
II. Poultry
III. Pisciculture
IV. Apiculture

1
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

2
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

A. Introduction

You have learnt that all living

organisms require food. Plants can
make their food themselves by the
process of Photosynthesis. Animals
including humans cannot make their
own food. So, where do animals get
Fig-1 Crop in a Field
their food from?

Requirement of food

You already know that energy from the food is utilised by organisms
for carrying out their various body functions, such as digestion,
respiration and excretion. We get our food from plants, or animals, or
both which are obtained from agriculture and animal husbandry.

Fig-2 Plant and Animal food requirement

• This is why In present time due to Tremendous increase of human

population, demand of food and shelter are also increased.
• Higher grain output can be achieved by bringing more land into
cultivation. The other possibility is to increase production
efficiency of both plants and animals.

3
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
• It is important that food production should be increased without
degrading our environment and disturbing natural balance.
• To provide food to large population, regular production, proper
management and distribution of food is necessary.

I. History of agriculture- revolution and evolution

Till 10,000 B.C.E. people were nomadic. When nomadic people

settled and cultivated lands, they produced rice, wheat and other
crops, then agriculture was born.

fig.4 Nomadic People doing agriculture

• 1st agriculture revolution- Neolithic revolution-Transformation of

human societies from hunting and gathering to farming between
10k BC and 2k BC.
• 2nd agriculture revolution- British agriculture revolution (17-19
century)- to increase agriculture productivity
• 3rd agriculture revolution- Green revolution (1930-1960)-
Adoption of new technology. Term used by William S Gaud.

4
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Mental floss!

Some other revolutions

Left: Norman
Borlaug- Father of
Green revolution

Right: Dr. M.S.

Swaminathan-
father of Indian
Green revolution

Did you know?

Green Revolution was a landmark revolution in the history of

agriculture and Crop production

Try and learn

1. Who is the father of Green Revolution?

2. Why we need to do crop management on large scale? Explain

5
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

3. Match the following

1. White revolution a. Oil

2. Blue revolution b. Fruits

3. Golden revolution c. Crops

4. Silver revolution d. Milk

5. Yellow revolution e. Egg

6. Green revolution f. Fish

Solution

1. Norman Borlaug
2. To provide food to large population, regular production, proper
management and distribution of food is necessary.
3. 1-d
2-f
3-b
4-e
5-a
6-c

6
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Crops

Plants of same kind which are grown and cultivated at one

place on a large scale to obtain foods like cereals (wheat, rice
etc.), pulses, vegetables, fruits is called Crop.

Did you know?

Rice was first cultivated in China

Fig-7 Crops

Types of crops

On the basis of growing season, Crops are of following types-

Crop Another name Sown in Harvested in Examples

Kharif Monsoon/ Autumn June/July September/ Paddy, Maize,
crop October sorghum,
sugarcane
Rabi Winter crop October/ March/ April Wheat, Oats,
November Barley and Pea
Zaid Summer crop March/ April Before rainy Vegetables and
season Fruits like
gourds, melons,
moong

7
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Fig-8 Rabi crops Fig-9 Kharif crops

Fig-10 Zaid Crops (from left watermelon, cucumber and bitter gourd

Think about this

Why Paddy cannot be grown in winter season?

Ans- Because Paddy requires lot of water.

8
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Checkpoint

1. The same kind of plants grown and cultivated on a large scale at a

place is called _____________.
2. ___________________ crops are harvested in March-April
3. Give two examples of each. (a) Kharif crop. (b) Rabi crop
4. Which of the following is an example of rabi crop ?
(a) Potato (b) Onion
(c) Jute (d) Pulses
5. Products obtained from the crops are called
(a) Yield (b) Produce
(c) Crop (d)Fertilisers

B. Agriculture practices

The various tasks performed by farmer to produce a good crop in

particular sequence till the maturity of crop.

Agriculture is an applied biological science which deals with

the production of plants (agronomy) and raising of livestock
(animal husbandry) for human use.

9
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Soil Preparation-

The soil is prepared by three steps-

Branches of Agriculture

Ploughing / Tilling

Loosening and turning of the soil.

Fig-11 Ploughing

Advantages

1. Allows mixing of manure and fertilizer.

2. This allows the roots to penetrate deep into the soil.
3. The loosened soil helps in the growth of earthworms and
microbes present in the soil. These organisms are friends of the
farmer since, they further turn and loosen the soil and add humus to
it.

10
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
4. Seeds are able to germinate easily.

Think about this

Why the soil needs to be turned and loosened?

Since only a few centimetres of the top layer of soil supports
plant growth, turning and loosening of soil brings the
nutrient-rich soil to the top so that plants can use these
nutrients.

Agriculture Implements / Farming implements

The tools required for carrying out the activities involved in cultivation
of plants.
The tools used are:
1. Plough
2. Hoe
3. Cultivator
Fig-11 Ploughs

Plough: Ploughs are made of wood or iron

Hoe: It is a simple tool which is used for removing weeds and for
loosening the soil. It has a long rod of wood or iron. A strong, broad
and bent plate of iron is fixed to one of its ends and works like a blade.
It is pulled by animals

Cultivator: Nowadays, ploughing is done by tractor-driven cultivator.

The use of cultivator saves labour and time.

11
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Levelling- Ploughed soil may have big soil crumbs. Levelling the
field is beneficial for sowing as well as for irrigation. Levelling of soil is
done with the help of a leveller.

Fig 12 Hoe Fig 13 Cultivator

Manuring: Sometimes, manure is added to the soil before tilling. This

helps in proper mixing of manure with soil. The soil is moistened
before sowing.

Manure- Organic substances, obtained from the decomposition of

plant and animal waste by action of microbes.

Fig 14 Leveller Fig 15 Manuring

12
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Fertilizers Manures
1. Artificial Inorganic salts Naturally decomposed
Organic substances
2. Rich in NPK Not rich in NPK

3. Nutrient specific Non nutrient specific

4. Soluble in water Insoluble in water

5. Harmful to environment Not harmful to

environment
6. Prepared in factories Prepared in fields

7. Bulky substances so difficult Easy to transport and

to store and transport store as it is
concentrated

Compost: Aged manure

Vermicompost: Manure formed by degradation of organic waste by

earthworms.

Green manure- manure from legume crops

13
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Checkpoint

1. Why is it necessary to sow seeds at appropriate depth?

2. Explain how fertilizers are different from manures.

3. Explain modern method of sowing.

4. Column-A Column-B

(1) Rice (a) Broadcasting

(2) Wheat (b) Fertilizes
(3) Sowing seeds (c) Rabi crop
(4) N P K (d) Kharif crop
5. The chemical substances rich in nutrients are called

(a) Fertilisers (b) Weedicides

(c) Pesticides (d) Herbicides

6. Compost is basically a
(a) manure (b) fertiliser
(c) pesticide (d) None of these

Sowing of seeds

Putting seeds in soil. Before sowing, good quality, clean and healthy
seeds of a good variety—are selected. Farmers prefer to use seeds
which give high yield

14
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Selection of seeds-

Good quality, Clean and healthy

seeds of a good variety should be
taken.

Healthy seeds sink and weak or

insect eaten seeds float on water
as they are hollow from inside.

Sowing is done by

a. Traditional Method

Broadcasting

Traditional tool Fig 14 Traditional

Method

b. Modern Method

Funnel method

Seed drill Fig 15 Broadcasting

Fig 17: Seed driller Fig 16 Funnel

15
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Let’s Experiment

Take moong or gram seeds and germinate them. Select three equal
sized seedlings. Take three empty glasses or similar vessels. Mark
them A, B and C. To glass A add little amount of soil mixed with a
little cow dung manure. In glass B put the same amount of soil mixed
with a little urea. Take the same amount of soil in glass C without
adding anything [Fig. 1]. Now pour the same amount of water in each
glass and plant the seedlings in them. Keep them in a safe place and
water them daily. After 7 to 10 days observe their growth [Fig. 19].

Fig 18 Fig 19

Transplantation

Firstly seeds are sown in nursery and then seedlings are shifted to
main field. e.g.- Rice, onion, Tomato, brinjal.

Fig 20: Transplantation

16
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Checkpoint

1. Explain the term transplantation.

2. How a farmer decides the seed is healthy?
3. Which method is better for sowing of seeds and why?
4. Can all type of crops can be grown by transplantation?
5. Why selection of healthy seeds is necessary?

Irrigation
Artificial supplying of water to crop at different intervals
a. Crop based Irrigation- Paddy is transplanted in standing water and
requires continuous water supply while wheat, gram, cotton, maize do
not.
b. Soil-Based Irrigation- Depends on nature of soil. Sandy soil needs
more water as compared to clay soil.
c. Season Based irrigation- Crops grown in summer season needs
more water as compared to those grown in rainy season.

Fig 21 Moat(Pulley)
system)

17
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Fig 23: Chain pump Fig 22: Chain pump

design

Fig 25: Dhekli Fig 24: Dhekli

Fig 26: Rahat

Fig 26: Rahat design

Fig 27: Sprinkler system. Fig 28: Drip System

18
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Fertigation

Fertilization + Irrigation
Method of applying Fertilizers
through drip irrigation.
Irrigation systems in India-
Canal system, tanks, wells, river
valley system, river lift system,
Fig 29: Irrigation system in India
tube, ponds, lakes, dams

Checkpoint

1. What is irrigation? Name the two main methods of irrigation and

define them briefly.
2. Rajat felt worried about the condition of water scarcity in village
during the cropping season. He went to Ministry of Agriculture and
Fanners Welfare of his area to get the solution of this problem. There
he came to know about effective method of irrigation and drought
resistant varieties of crop. He requested the methods of department
of the ministry to arrange some workshop on this topic to educate the
farmers in these methods.
o Name modern methods of irrigation that help us to use water
economically.
o What drought resistant varieties of crop
o Can you name some crops that require less amount of water,
o What value of Rajat shown here?

19
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
3. Sow some seeds in the soil and arrange in such a manner to water
them by drip irrigation. Observe it daily
o Do you think, it can save water?
o Observe and note the changes in the seed
Match the following
§ (i) Sickle (a) Ploughing
§ (ii) Hoe (b) Sowing
§ (iii) Seed Drill (c) Harvesting
§ (iv) Sprinkler (d) Irrigation
4. Despite favourable climatic conditions, a farmer’s crop failed to
give good yield. Give the possible reasons for this.
5. Unscramble the words related to crop production and its
management and write in the boxes given beneath them.

Try and learn

We can select good, healthy seeds for sowing as follows:

Put all the seeds in &bucket containing water and stir well. Most of
the seeds will settle down at the bottom whereas some seeds will
float on top. The seeds which sink at the bottom of the bucket are
the healthy seeds. On the other hand, the seeds which float are the

20
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
spoiled seeds. This can be explained as follows Healthy seeds are
heavy, so they sink in water. seeds which have been partially eaten
by pens or damaged by disease become hollow and light, and float
on water. The seeds may also be treated with fungicide solutions
before sowing to prevent the d-borne disease of the crop.

Weeds

Undesirable plants that grow naturally with crops.

Weeding

Removal of weeds or undesirable

plants. It can be done by Khurpa and
harrow
Some common weeds

Parthenium (gajar grass), Convolvulus

Amaranthus (chaulai), Chenopodium
(bathua), Xanthium (cocklebur) and
Fig 30: Weeds between Crops
Dandelions.

21
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Mechanical: Khurpi and seed drill

Chemical: weedicides and Herbicides- 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, butachlor,

Atrazine.

Biological: Cassia prevents growth of Parthenium. Herbivores fish

(Carps) feeds on aquatic weeds(Hydrilla).

S.No Pesticides Affected Example

organisms
1 Insecticides Insects DDT, Aldrin,
Malathion
2 Fungicides Fungal Bordeaux mixture,
pathogens Burgandy mixture,
HgCl2

Fig 31: Use of Khurpa (trowel) Fig 32: Seed drill

Fig 34: Cassia Fig 35: Parthenium

Fig 33: Chemical Control

22
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Disadvantages of pesticides-
1. Cause Soil and Water Pollution
2. Residue on fruits and seeds is
harmful for human consumption
3. Destroy even useful insects

Checkpoint Fig 37: Man Spraying pesticide

2. Why is it advisable to wash fruits and vegetables before using?

3. Are weedicides harmful for person spraying it? What are the
methods that can be adopted to prevent it?
4. Give the name of some common insecticides.
5. Name two weeds commonly found in rice and wheat fields.
6. Which of the following tools would a farmer use to remove weeds
from the field?
A. Hoe B. Plough
C. Axe D. Cultivator

Harvesting

Cutting and gathering of crops after its maturation.

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 a
machine called harvester.

23
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Fig 38: Sickle Fig 39: Harvester

Many Festivals are associated

with harvesting season such as
baisakhi, Bihu, onam, pongal,
holi, diwali.

Festivals celebrated worldwide

also indicates harvesting time.

Fig 40: Different festivals in India

Threshing is the process of beating out the grain from the crop.
Either it is done manually or by threshers.

Fig 41: Threshing manually

Fig 42: Thresher

24
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Combine- A machine can harvest and thresh at same time.

Chaff- Material consisting of seed covering and small pieces of stem

and leaves.

Fig 44: Chaff and Grain Fig 43: Combine

Did you know?

Grain Chaff is used as animal feed and is a way of turning

coarse fodder into a form more palatable to livestock.

Winnowing

The grain-chaff mixtures gradually

dropped on the ground from
height. The heavier seeds fall
vertically down, while lighter chaff
is blown away by wind.

Fig 45: Winnowing

25
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Checkpoint

1. Name two harvest festival in India celebrated at winter time.

2. How much time a crop will take to mature?
3. Why is grain-chaff mixture dropped from a certain height?
4. What is “Combine”? How it is good from other implements?
5. Can Harvesting and Threshing be done simultaneously? How?

Storage:

If the harvested grains are to be kept for longer time, they should be
safe from moisture, insects, rats and microorganisms.

Why safe from moisture?

Harvested grains have more moisture. If freshly harvested grains

(seeds) are stored without drying, they may get spoilt or attacked by
organisms, making them unfit for use or for germination. Hence,
before storing them, the grains are properly dried in the sun to
reduce the moisture in them. This prevents the attack by insect
pests, bacteria and fungi

Fig 46: Grains spoiled by Moisture

26
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Buffer stock-

§ Surplus stock of grains which is preserved for emergencies like

drought and floods is called buffer stock.
§ Food grains are stored in large godowns like FCI (Food
Corporation of India) and State warehousing Corporations.

How and where are they stored?

1. Grains must be kept in jute bags or metallic bins.

2. Grains stored in silos, granaries and godown
3. Dried neem leaves can be used for storing food grains at home.

Fig 47: Silos Fig 48: Granaries

Factors affecting stored food

I. Biotic factors- Insects,

Micro-organisms, mites,
birds, rodents and other
animals.

II. Abiotic factors- Moisture,

Humidity and Temperature. Fig 49: factors affecting storage of
crop

27
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Mixed farming

Mixed farming is a type of

farming which involves both the
growing of crops and the raising
of livestock
Fig 49: Mixed farming

Checkpoint

1. Name the government agency which buy food grains from the
farmers.
2. How is mixed farming helpful?
3. A. What are the two ways in which food grains are stored on a
large scale?
B. What is the advantage of storing food grains in Gunny bags?

4. Why grains should be dried before storing?

5. Can stored grains also be damaged? Support your answer with
proper explanation.

C. Animal husbandry

The branch of agriculture that deals with the feeding, caring and
breeding of domestic animals is called animal husbandry.

The main elements of animal husbandry are

(i) Proper feeding (ii) Providing good shelter (iii) Proper health

28
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Cattle farming

Cattle husbandry is done for

two purposes, milk production
and draught labour for
agricultural work like tilling
and irrigation.
Fig 50 : Cattles

Two types of cattle animals

Fig 51: Milch Animal Fig 52: Draught animals

29
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Poultry
Feeding
They feed grains, green manure and lime stones.

Broody Hen
Hen after laying eggs, sits on them for about 21 days, till the chickens
hatch out. This time period is known as incubation period. During
this time. the hen becomes aggressive if anyone disturbs it. It is
called a broody hen.

fig.53 Egg laying poultry fig.54 Meat poultry

Breeds of hens
Indigenous Breeds : Aseel, Bursa

Fig 53: Aseel Fig 54: Bursa

30
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Exotic Breeds : White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red.

Fig 55: White Leghorn Fig 56: Rhode island

Cross Breeds : HH260, B77.

Several benefits offered by poultry farming:

• It requires less investment compared to rearing other livestock.

• It gives rapid return on investment.

• Broilers intake of feed is comparatively very low while it produces

maximum possible amount of food for us.

• Poultry farming is a continuous source of income.

Checkpoint

1. What is animal husbandry?

2. What are various practices necessary for raising animals for food
and other purposes?
3. A. ________ is used for eggs and _______ used for chicken.

B. ________ is Indigenous Breed and ________ is exotic breed of hen.

C. ________ animal used for milk and __________ animal used for
labour.

31
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
4. Name various breeds of hens? What is Broody hen?
5. Main feed of poultry birds are__________ and _________.
6. What are advantages of Poultry farming for large scale?

Pisciculture

Fig 57: The rearing of fish on a large

scale is called pisciculture

The fish eggs are introduced into small ponds called hatcheries.
Fish is a rich source of proteins and oils. These are a good source of
vitamin A and vitamin D.

Terminology

Fishing Trawlers : Capture fish in mechanised of boats called

fishing trawlers.
Fries : Small fish is called fries.

32
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Fresh water Fishes : Catla, Rohu and Mrigal.

Marine Fishes : Tuna, cod, pomfret.

Fig 58: Pomphret Fig 59: Tuna

In hatcheries fries hatch out of eggs which are transferred to a larger

culture pond where they get proper food, light and oxygen. The fishes
are harvested when they attain the required size.

Apiculture

The rearing of honey bees for a large scale production of

honey and bee wax, is known as Apiculture.

Bees are reared in wooden boxes for commercial production of honey

called Apiaries.

33
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Apiary

Honey bee colony and social

organization

In a colony, there are three types

of bees which are structurally
and functionally different from
one another, so polymorphism
fig.60 Apiaries
is associated with division of
labour. These types are :

a. Queen bee
b. Drones
c. Worker bee

fig.61 Types of bee

Mental floss!

Honey: It contains water, sugar, minerals and enzymes. It is

used in medicines and not as a regular food item.
Sericulture: It is the rearing of silk worm for the production of
raw silk.
White revolution: This is related to increased milk production.
Father of white revolution : Dr. V. Kurien.
Silver revolution: This is related to increased egg production.
Blue revolution: This is related to increased fish production.

34
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
The life cycle of a bee

Queen bee lays eggs which hatch into larvae, which grows into pupae.

Drones are smaller in size than the queen, and their function is to
fertilize the queen. Workers bees look after young ones, collect nectar
and pollen from flowers and make honey.

fig.62 Life cycle of a bee

( European and Italian bee)

Produces 50- 200 kg of honey per hive per year

Fig.63 Apis mellifera

35
fig.61 Types of bee
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Bird’s-eye view

• In order to provide food to our growing population, we need to

adopt certain agricultural practices.
• Same kind of plants cultivated at a place constitute a crop.
• In India, crops can be broadly categorised into two types based on
seasons - rabi and kharif crops.
• It is necessary to prepare soil by tilling and levelling. Ploughs and
levellers are used for this purpose.
• Sowing of seeds at appropriate depths and distances gives good
yield. Good variety of seeds are sown after selection of healthy
seeds. Sowing is done by seed drills.
• Soil needs replenishment and enrichment through the use of
organic manure and fertilisers. Use of chemical fertilisers has
increased tremendously with the introduction of new crop
varieties.
• Supply of water to crops at appropriate intervals is called irrigation.
• Weeding involves removal of unwanted and uncultivated plants
called weeds.
• Harvesting is the cutting of the mature crop manually or by
machines.
• Separation of the grains from the chaff is called threshing.
• Proper storage of grains is necessary to protect them from pests
and microorganisms.

36
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
• Food is also obtained from animals for which animals are reared.
This is called animal husbandry. It Includes Cattle Framing,
Pisciculture, Apiculture

Solved examples

Very short answer type (Each carries one mark)

Question 1. What is the name of the undesirable plants that grown

among the crops?

Answer: Weeds

Question 2. Name any one weed.

Answer: Wild oat

Question 3. Name the methods applied for weeding.

Answer:

• Manual method • Chemical method

• Biological method

Question 4. What is the process of supplying water to crop sat

different intervals is called?

Answer: Irrigation

Question 5. What are the sources of irrigation?

Answer: Wells, tube wells, ponds, lakes etc.

Question 6. What is the process of separation of grain from chaff

called?

37
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Answer: Winnowing

Question 7. Name two crops belonging to rabi crop.

Answer: Pea, gram

Question 8. Name the ideal months for the harvesting of rabi crops.

Answer: March/April

Question 9. Name two kharif crops.

Answer: Soybean, groundnut

Short answer questions (Each carries two / three marks)

Question 10. Pick out the odd one from the following words and give
reason for it.

Plough, Seed Drill, Hoe, Chain Pump, Sickle.

Answer: Answer is Seed drill. Seed drill is a modern equipment used

to sow the seeds. Whereas Plough, Hoe, Chain pump and sickle are
old and traditional equipment’s used in agriculture.

Question 11. If you are given a dry piece of land for cultivation what
will you do before sowing the seeds?

Answer: Before sowing seeds land should be prepared for

cultivation. Tilling and ploughing are the first steps in preparing the
land for cultivation. Ploughing is done by using plough which is
made of either wood or iron.

38
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Question 12. State whether the following statements are True or False.
Correct the false statements.

(i) Using good quality seed is the only criterion to get high yield.

(ii) Growing different crops in different seasons in the same field will
deplete the soil of nutrients.

(iii) All crop plants are sown as seeds in the field.

(iv) Cells of root nodules of leguminous plants fix nitrogen.

(v) Freshly harvested grains must be dried before storing.

Answer:

(i) False, to get good yield, appropriate agricultural practice, nutrients

should be in the water is very essential along with good quality seeds.
(ii) False It enriches the soil.

(iii) False Some crops needs transplantation Ex: Ginger

(iv) False Bacteria called as Rhizobium present in the root nodules of

leguminous plants fix nitrogen.

(iv) True.

Question 13. Classify the following crops into Kharif and Rabi crops
and write in the tabular column given below: Maize, paddy, mustard,
pea, gram, wheat, groundnut, cotton.

39
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Answer:

Kharif Rabi
Maize Mustard
Paddy Pea
Groundnut Gram
Cotton Wheat

Long Answer Type

Question 14. What do you mean by the term “crop”? Explain briefly
the types of crops.
Answer: Crop is the term used to describe a plant that is grown in
field on a large scale. For example, cereal crops, pulses and fruit
crops. The crops grown in India can be classified as kharif and rabi.
Kharif crops are sown in the rainy season by June/July and are
harvested by September/October. Thus they are also known as
summer season crops. For example, rice, maize, etc. Rabi crops are
sown in the winter season in October or November and are
harvested by March/April. Thus, they are also called winter season
crops. For example, mustard, wheat, potato and many more.

Question 15. 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.

40
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
• 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.

Multiple Choice Type (Each carries one mark)

Question 1. The branch of science that deals with growing plants and
raising livestock for human use is

(a) Agriculture (b) Horticulture

(c) Pisciculture (d) Animal husbandry

Question 2. Produces obtained from the crops are called

(a) Yield (b) Harvest
(c) Crop (d) Fertilisers
Question 3. The practice of growing two or more dissimilar crops in
the same field one after another is
(a) Crop rotation (b) Tilling
(c) Plantation (d) Weeding
Question 4. The unwanted plants that grow along with the crops are
called.

(a) Fertilisers (b) Manure

41
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
(c) Weeds (d) Kharif crops

Question 5. The ideal months for harvesting kharif crop are

(a) June/July (b) August/September

(c) September/October (d) November

Question 6. Which of the following is an example of Rabi crop ?

(a) Potato (b) Onion

(c) Jute (d) Poke

Question 7. The method of loosening the soil is called

(a) Harvesting (b) Ploughing

(c) Levelling (d) Threshing

Question 8. Levelling of soil helps to prevent

(a) Soil erosion (b) Cultivation

(c) Sowing (d) Drought

Question 9. Which of the following is not a kharif crop?

(a) Paddy (b) Maize

(c) Groundnut. (d) Peas

Question 10. Which of the following are agricultural implements?

(a) Seed drills (b) Plough

(c) Harrow (d) All of these

42
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Question 11. The process of beating out grains from the harvested
wheat crop is called

(a) Sowing (b) Crushing

(c) Threshing (d) Harvesting

Question 12. Watering the crops is called

(a) Sowing (b) Manuring

(c) Tilling (d) Irrigation

Question 13. Which of the following is not provided to the soil by a

chemical fertiliser

(a) Nitrogen (b) Humus

(c) Potassium (d) Phosphorus

Question 14. The chemical substances rich in nutrients are called

(a) Fertilisers (b) Weedicides

(c) Pesticides (d) Herbicides

Question 15. Compost is basically a

(a) Manure (b) Fertiliser

(c) Pesticide (d)Irrigation type

Fill in the blanks (Each carries one mark)

1. Plants of one kind grown at a one place on a large scale is called

_________.

2. ____________is a simple tool used for removing weeds and for

loosening the soil.

43
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
3. Propagation of ginger is usually done using_______.

4. ________improves the texture of the soil.

5. Condition necessary to grow maize is______.

6. A common weed that grow among the crops is __________.

7. __________is the process of cutting and gathering the ripened crop.

8. __________crops are sown in winter season.

9. Kharif crops are sown in__________ season.

10. Products obtained from the crops are called __________.

11. The process of removing weeds is called __________.

12. __________is the practice of growing two or more dissimilar crops

in the same piece of land.

13. Separation of grain from chaff with the aid of wind is called
__________.

14. Leguminous plants fix _____________in the soil.

15. Cod liver oil is rich in__________.

Very Short Answer Type (Each carries one mark)

• Write the name of any 2 insecticides.

• What is a chaff ?
• Which type of soil requires more water for irrigation ?
• Name any two biofertilizers.
• What factors affect the stored food ?
• Name some harvest festivals.
• Write 2 disadvantages of using pesticides.

44
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
• What do you mean by biological control of weeds ?

Short Answer Type (Each carries two or three marks)

1. What are the basic practices of crop production?

2. What are crops? Explain the two crops in detail.
3. Write a short note on weeding.
4. Explain how fertilizers are different from manures?
5. Give examples of two Rabi and two Kharif crops.
6. Explain modern method of sowing.
7. What is crop rotation and why is it important?
8. How are grains stored and protected?
9. Mention names of any two fertilizers.
10. Why is it necessary to sow seeds at appropriate depth.

Long Answer Type (Each carries four marks)

9. Explain the various methods used for irrigation in India.

10. What other methods are used to increase soil fertility except for
chemical fertilizers ?

45
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

True or false

1. Rice is a kharif crop.

2. Jute is a rabi crop.
3. Storage of grains is not an agricultural practice.
4. Process of levelling involves breaking down the larger lumps of
soil.
5. Levelling prevents soil erosion.
6. The method of loosening the soil is called weeding.
7. Putting some dried neem leaves in the drum containing grain
prevents the attack by insect pests.
8. The irrigation process destroys the soil.
9. Kharif crops are grown during rainy season.
10. Peas are not rabi crops.
11. The first agricultural task is the preparation of soil.
12. Combines are used for harvesting only.
13. Loosening of soil allows the roots to breathe easily.
14. Chemicals used to control rat and insects are known as
pesticides.
15. Drip irrigation system is the economical method of irrigation.

46
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
High Order Thinking Type (HOTs)
Question 1. Why the depth at which seeds are planted is important?
Question 2. Why sowing seeds with seed drill is better than
broadcasting?
Question 3. How can nitrogen be replenished in soil naturally?
Question 4. Why is it advisable to wash fruits and vegetables before
using them?
Question 5. What is biological control of pest? How is it beneficial?
Question 6. Rajan felt worried about the condition of water scarcity in
his village during the cropping season. He went to Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of his area to get the solution of this
problem. There he came to know about effective method of irrigation
and drought resistant varieties of crop. He requested the head of
department of the ministry to arrange some workshop on this topic
to educate the farmers in these methods.
• Name modern methods of irrigation that help us to use water
economically.
• What is drought resistant varieties of crop?
• Can you name some crops that require less amount of water?
• What value of Raj an is shown here?
Question 7. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), a constituent extension
center of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University,
organized a farmer's workshop on organic farming in vegetable
cultivation at Kalayarkoil to commemorate the World Soil Day.
(a) What is organic farming?
(b) What is the advantage of organic farming?
(c) What are the health benefits of organic farming?
(d) What values of KVK are shown here?

47
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Question 8. Sow some seeds in the soil and arrange to water them
by drip irrigation. Observe daily.
• Do you think it can save water?
• Note the changes in the seed.

Match the column

Column A Column B
1. Sickle (a) Goat
2. Metachlor (b) Storage
3. Pea (c) Fertiliser
4. Moat (d) Pest
5. Cod liver oil (e) Fish
6. Milk (f) Harvest festival
7. Rat (g) Harvesting
8. Silo (h) Rabi crop
9. Nabanna (i) Weedicide
10. Urea (j) Irrigation

Column A Column B

(1) Rice (a) Broadcasting

(2)Wheat (b) Fertilizes

(3) Sowing seeds (c) Rabi crop

(4) NPK (d) Kharif drop

48
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Column A Column B

(1) Plough (a) Sowing of seeds

(2) Hoe (b) An irrigation system

(3) Cultivator (c) Manual harvesting

(4) Seed drill (d) Loosening and turning of soil

(5) Moat (e) Used for spraying weedicide

(6) Sickle (f) Removing weeds

(7) Sprayer (g) Combine harvester and thresher

(8) Combine (h) Tracter driven tilling device.

Crosswords

Across

1. Milk giving animal.

3. Poultry for chicken
4. Separation of grain form chaff

Down
1. Natural fertilizer.
2. Used for soil preparation

Across

3. Increases crop productivity

5. Poultry for egg

49
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Down
1. Supply of water
2.Process of cutting crop
4.Agricultural tools

Across
5.Rearing of honey bee.

Down

1. Nitrogen fixing bacteria.

2. Agriculture method to separate
grains from straw.
3. Farming implement with large blade to turn over the soil.
4. Traditional irrigation method.

Fill in the blanks

1. The process of growing , vegetables, flowers and ornamental

plants is called………..
2. ……………….. crops require lot of water.
3. ……………….. crops are harvested in march -April.
4. ………………… is a aprocess to loosen soil.
5. …………………prevents the loose soil from being eroded by water or air.
6. A combine machine can……………and ……………
7. Grains are separated from the chaff and hay by method called……….
8. Shifting of tiny saplings from the nursery to a field is called……………..

50
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
9. The process of scattering the seed in the soil is called…………………………
10. Cattle may suffer from a viral disease called……………………………………………..
11. Hen………………..and ………………………………are reared in poultry farms.
12. …………………………is a marine fish, while………………….is a fresh water fish.
13. In a beehive, only……………………….lays eggs.
14. Rearing, breeding and management of fish on a large scale is
called…………………
15. ……………………………..are chemical substanes rich in nutrients such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium.

From the word puzzle given find at least eight words which are
‘farmer’s friends.’ Classify them into living and non-living.

51
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Solutions

Novice level
Multiple Choice Question

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
(a) (b) (a) (c) (c) (a) (b) (a) (d) (d)
11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
(c) (d) (b) (a) (a)

Fill in the blanks

1.Crop 2. Hoe 3.Vegetative propagation

4. Irrigation or Manures

5 Summer 6. Amaranthus 7. Harvesting

8. Rabi 9. Rainy. 10. Yield.

11. Weeding 12. Mixed Farming. 13. Winnowing

14. Nitrogen 15. Vitamin D

Advanced level
True /false

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
T F F T T F T F T T

11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

T F T T T

52
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

High order thinking questions (Solutions)

Answer 1: If the seed is planted too deep then it will not get enough
sunlight to germinate. If the seed is planted too shallow then it will not
get enough soil to support germination. The depth for sowing seed
also depends upon the seed size.
Answer 2: Seed drill sown the seeds uniformly at proper distances and
depths, whereas broadcasting of seeds scatters them non-uniformly
on the ground surface which are susceptible to be picked up by birds.
Answer 3: Through crop rotation with a leguminous crop the nitrogen
can be replenished in soil naturally. The leguminous plants, like peas,
beans, soybeans, peanuts, etc., have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their
root nodules. The nitrogen-fixing bacteria, viz., Rhizobium, fixes
atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonium (NHg4+) which is used by
the plants.
Answer 4: Fruits and vegetables may contain many pesticides, used
during the crop production practices, on them along with other
germs and dust.
Answer 5: Method of controlling pests including insects, mites, weeds,
etc., with the help of other living organisms are known as biological
control of pest. The controlling agents are very much
particular of their host pest. For example, lady bugs controls aphids,
mites, scale insects, etc., which harm the crops. A wasp eats up
bollworms or other caterpillars on cotton plant.
Benefits of biocontrol agents are:
• Less costly
• Give protection to the crop throughout the crop period
• Eco-friendly

53
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
• Harmless to human beings and beneficial to flora and fauna
Answer 6:
• Drip irrigation system and sprinkler method.
• Crops that need very little amount of rainfall or irrigation to grow
are called drought resistant varieties of crop.
• Sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, groundnut, etc.
• Rajan is concerned, aware, sensitive and intelligent.
Answer 7: (a) Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on
techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and
biological pest control.
(b) Advantages of organic farming are:
• Do not use any harmful chemicals
• Crops have better taste and nutrition
• Eco-friendly
• Cost effective
(c) Organic farming uses all the natural ways to provide nutrients and
to get rid of the pests. So, it reduces the harmful effects of pesticides
and fertilizers on human beings.
(d) Krishi Vigyan Kendra shows concern about the growing use of
pesticides, fertilizers, etc., and their adverse effect on human health.
It is spreading awareness amongst farmers about eco-friendly ways
of cultivating crops.
Answer 8: Yes, it can save water. The drip system is a better manager
of water. We observe that seed begins to germinate.

54
CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Match the column

1-g 2-I 3-h 4-j 5-e 6-a 7-d 8-b 9-f 10-c

1-d 2-c 3-a 4-b

1-d 2-f 3-h 4-a 5-b 6-c 7-e 8-g

Fill in the blanks

1- Horticulture

2-Kharif

3- Zaid

4-Tilling/ Ploughing

5-Levelling

6-Harvest and thresh

7-Winnowing

8-Transplantation

9-Sowing

10-Foot and Mouth disease

11-Duck and geese

12-Tuna and Katla

13-Queen bee

14-Pisciculture

15-Fertilisers

55
 CHAPTER 1
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Word puzzle

Living : Seed, Earthworm, Rhizobium, Microbes, Ox.

Non-living: Plough, Urea, NPK, Manure, Hoe.

END

56