CH-improvement in food Resources Based on the kind of biological material used manure can be classified as- Compost and yermi compost-the process in which farm waste material like livestock excreta(cow dung), vegetable waste, domestic waste, sewage, waste, straw, eradicated weeds atc are decomposed into pits is known as composting. Compose is also prepared by using Earthworms to hasten the pr plants and animals refuse. This is called yermicompost. Green manure -Before sowing the crop seeds, some plants like sun hemp or guar are grown and mulched by ploughing them into the soil. These green plants turn into green manure which helps in enriching soil in nitrogen and phosphorus. Fertilizer-Fertiliser supply Nitrogen Phosphorus,Potassium.They are used to ensure good vegt wth (Leaves, branches, flowers) Fertilzers are a factor in higher yields of high cost farming. Fertlizers should be applied carefully in terms of proper doors, time and observing pre and post-application, precaution, Disadvantage Of Fertilzers-1.Fertiizers get washed away due to excessive irrigation and or not Aly absorbed by plants, This excescive fetteer lacs water poktion ‘ontinuous use of fertilisers in an area can destroy soil fertility because organic matter in the soil is not replenished and micro organisms in soil are harmed by fertiliser. Organic farming -it is a farming system, with minimal or no use of chemicals as fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides etc. And with the maximum input of organic measures, recycled farm waste,, use of bio agents such as culture of blue green algae in the preparation of bio fertilisers, Neem leaves or turmeric specifically in gran storage as Honestcies with healthy cropping systems. Water Resources for irrigation- Wells-there are two types of Wells. Dug wells and tube wells. In a dug well, water is collected from water, bearing strata. Tube wells can tap water from the deeper strata. From these walls, water is litted by pumps for irrigation. Canals- canals recaive water from one or more reservoirs or from rivers.main canal is divided into branch canals having further distributaries to irrigate fields. River lift systems-water Is directly drawn from the rivers for irrigation in areas close to rivers. ‘Tanks-These are small storage reservoirs, which store the run off of smaller catchment areas. What is genetic manipulation? How is it useful in agricultural practices? ‘Answer: Genetic manipulation is a process of incorporating desirable (genes) characters into crop varieties by hybridisation. Hybridisation involves crossing between genetically dissimilar plants. This is done for production of varieties with desirable characteristics like profuse branching in fodder crops, high yielding varieties in maize, wheal, etc. Genetic manipulation is useful in developing varieties which shows: ss of decomposition of + Increased yield + Better quality Shorter and early maturity period Better adaptability to adverse environmental conditions Desirable characteristics What is the name given to cops obtained by introducing a gene that provides the desired characteristic? Answer: Genetically modified crops. Why do droughts oceur? The scarcity or irregular distribution of rainfall causes droughts.Can increasing grain production alone solve the problem of malnutrition and hunger? Answer: No, increasing grain production only for storage in warehouses cannot solve the problem of malnutrition and hunger. Food security depends both on availability of food and access to it. As the majority of our population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, increasing the incomes of people working in agriculture thus becomes necessary to combat the problem of hunger. In agricultural practices, higher input gives higher yield. Discuss how? Higher input means good financial conditions of the farmers so that they can employ good and improved farming technologies. Thus these would give higher yields. Why is crop variety improvement important in cultivation? Describe the important factors for which variety improvement is done. Answer: ‘As we know, weather conditions, soil quality and availability of water are the main factors on which crop yield depends. As weather conditions like drought and flood situation are unpredictable, itis important to have varieties that can grow in adverse climatic conditions. In the same way, varieties that are tolerant to high soil salinity have also been developed. Some of the factors for which crop variety improvement is done are as follows: + High Yield: To increase the productivity of the crop per acre. + Improve Quality: Quality considerations of crop products vary from crop to crop. For instance, baking quality is important in wheat, protein quality in pulses; oil quality in oilseeds and preserving quality in fruits and vegetables. + Biotic and Abiotic Resistance: Crop production can fall due to biotic and abiotic stresses under different situations. Thus, varieties resistant to these stresses can improve crop production + Change in Maturity Duration: The shorter the duration of the crop from sowing to harvesting, more economical is the variety. It reduces the cost of crop production and allows the farmers to grow multiple crops in a year. + Wider Adaptability: Developing varieties for wider adaptability helps in stabilising the crop production under different environmental conditions. Also, one variety can then be grown under different climatic conditions in different areas. + Desirable Agronomic Characteristics: Height and profuse branching are desirable characteristics for fodder crops. Dwartness is desired in cereals such that fewer nutrients are consumed by these crops. Thus, developing varieties of desired agronomic characters also help in higher yield.Animal Husbandry - * Itis the scientific management of animal livestock. * It includes feeding, breeding and disease control. + Animal -based farming includes cattle, goat, sheep , poultry and fish farming. + Why cattle farming is done? Ans-Cattle farming is done for two purposes-milk and draught-labour for agricultural work, such as tiling , irrigation and carting. Milk producing females-Milk producing females are known as milch animals (dairy animals,) Draught Animals-Animals which are used for farm labour are known as draught animals. What mean by |. tion ri w lactation peri in be increased? Ans-the period of milk production after the birth of a calf. Milk production can be increased by increasing the lactation period. Different species of Indian cattle- Bos indicus cows,Bos bubalis buffaloes(Indian) Exotic or foreign breeds- Jersey, Browns swiss are selected for long lactation period. Local Breeds- Red Sindhi , Sahiwal show excellent resistance to diseases. The two (Indian as well as exotic )can be cross bred to get animals with both the desired qualities.0 ee ee Ell Different types of animal feed and write their functions ‘The food requirements of dairy animals are of two types a. maintenance requirement.-it is the food required to support the animal to live a healthy life. b. Milk producing requirement -it is the type of food required during the lactation period. Two types are: ‘A. Roughage.-which is largely fibre. B. Concentrates-which are low in fibre and contain high levels of proteins and other nutrients. Cattle need balanced diet containing all the nutrients in proportionate amount. Some additive micronutrients should be added for the good health and good milk production for dairy animals. Cattle Diseases-The parasites of cattle maybe both external as well as internal. -The external parasites live on the skin and cause skin diseases. internal parasites like worms affect the stomach and intestine.Flukes damage the liver. -infectious diseases are caused by bacteria and viruses. Vaccinations are given to farm animals to prevent from viral and bacterial diseases. A. Poultry Farming- Itis done to raise the domestic fowl for egg production and chicken meat. Improved poultry breeds are developed and farmed to produce layers for eggs and broilers for meat. Indian Breed-Asee! and foreign breed-leghorn The cross breeding programmes between Indian and foreign breeds are focused for desirable Characteristics- Number and quality of chicks. Short sized broiler parent for commercial chick production ‘Summer adaptation capacity Low maintenance requirements Reduction in the size of egg, laying bird, which feed on fibrous diet based on agriculture byproduct. proneFarm Management For Cattle- 1. Proper cleaning and shelter facilities are required. 2. Regular brushing of animal should be done to remove dirt and lose hair. 3. The cattle should be sheltered in ventilated roof to protect from rain, heat and cold. 4. The floor of the cattle should be sloping so as to keep it dry. 5. Fish production- Fish as a chief source of animal protein . Production of fish includes both finned true fish as well as shellfish like prawns and moalluscus. Two ways of obtaining Fishe are: 1. Capture fishing.- it is a method of obtaining fish from natural resources. It is done in inland and marine waters. 2. Culture fishery-it is the method of obtaining fish from fish farming.Fish is the cheapest source of protein. Fish production includes- A.Finned Fish-fish production includes finned or true fish . B.Shelifish-prawns, and Molluscus fall in this category. ‘Two ways of obtaining fish- 1. Capture fishing,-when fish is obtained from natural sources. 2. Culture Fishing-fish farming is known as culture fishing. fish culture: Composite Fish Culture- In such a system, a combination of five or six fish species is used in a single fish pond. These species are selected so that they do not compete for food among them.. Catlas - surface feeders Rohus-middle zone feeder Mngals and common Carps-bottom feeders, Grass carps feed on the weeds. This increases the fish yield from the pond. Disadvantages- Many of the fish breed only during monsoon. So one of the major problem_of fish farming is the lack of availability of good quality seed. To overcome this problem, fish breed in ponds using hormonal stimulation. It ensures the supply of pure fish seed in desirable quantities. Advantages- | Both local and foreign fish species are used. Due to different food habits, all the food in pond is consumed. These species do not compete for food with each other. Poult ases and their prevention- Providing nutritional diet to poultry birds. Proper cleaning and sanitation of shelter. Vaccination of birds can prevent them from diseases Spraying of disinfectant at regular intervals in the shelter. PepaeBee Keeping- Honey is widely used and therefore bee- keeping for making honey has become an agricultural enterprise. Advantages: 1. Bee- keeping needs low investments. 2. Farmers use it as an additional income source. 3. In addition to honey, beehives are a source of wax which is used in medicinal preparations. Different varieties of #j Bee- 1. Local Varieties of Bee-Apis cerena Indica commonly known as Indian bee 2. A. dorsata , the rock bee 3. A. florae, the little bee 4. An Italian bee , A .mellifera Comparison of Italian and Indian Bee: 1. Italian bees have high. Honey collection capacity. 2. They sting somewhat less. 3. They stay in a beehive for a long period. 4. They breed very well. What is Pasturage and how is it related to honey production? The value or quality of honey depends upon Pasturage or the flowers available to the bees for nectar( sweet sugary liquid within flower )and pollen collection. The kind of flowers available will determine the taste of the honey also.Sr eee VES. 15.1.2 (ii) IRRIGATION Road Dg Peet ittare in India is rain-fed, that is, dependent on tn Nyt ae ectiickent en on timely monsoons and sufficient ae epreatl through most of the growing came . i ence, poor monsoons cause Crop copa nsuring that the crops get water at right stages during their growing season can increase the expected yields of any crop. Therefore, many measures are used to bring more and more agricultural land under irrigation. Droughts occur because of scarcity or irregular distribution of rains. Drought poses a threat to rain-fed farming areas, where farmers do not use irrigation for crop production and depend only on rain. Light soils have less water retention capacity: In areas with light soils, crops get adversely affected by drought conditions. Scientists have developed a ap varieties which can. tolerate droug} conditions. ee| (Fig. 15-2). A few rows of one alternate with a few rows of a second an linge e different. This ensures ), maximum utilisation of the trients - Supplied, andjalso prevents pests and_ eed ae Re reading te ait ne plants belonging to one crop in a field. This_way— both crops can give better returns.Sowing of The growing of different cropson a piece _fotation als of land ina pre-planned succession is known _preventive1 as crop rotation. Depending upon the of resistant duration, crop rotation is done for different in which fic crop combinations. The availability,of moisture to destroy | and irrigation facilities decide the choice of th crop to be cultivated after one harvest. If crop rotation is done properly then two or three crops can be grown in a year with goodee ee ee ae ae -_— ——_— 15.1.3 CRop PROTECTION MANAGEMENT Field crops are infested by a large number of weeds, insect pests and diseases. If weeds an: pests are not controlled at the appropriate time then they can damage the crops so much that most of the crop is lost. Weeds. are unwanted, plants: in» the cultivated field, for example, Xanthium ak./ Diseases in plants”are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and virtises;’. These pathogens can be present in and Ma | transmitted through the soil, water and ajr. lece own, the ent eeds, insects and diseases can /be ontrolled by various methods. One of) the we oramenly used methods is the ye of pesticides, which include herbi ides, insecticides and fungicides. These chémicals are sprayed on crop plants or used for treating seeds and soil. However, excessive use of these chemicals creates problems, since they can be poisonous to many plant and animal species and cause environmental pollution, Weed control methods also include mechanical removal. Preventive methods such. as proper seed bed preparation, timely sowing of crops, intercropping and crop rotation also help in weed control. Some other preventive measures against pests are the use of resistant varieties, and summer ploughing, in which fields are ploughed deep in Summers to destroy weeds and necte(gokhroo), Parthenium (gajar ghas), Cyperinus rotundus (motha). They compete for food, space and light. Weeds take up nutrients and reduce the growth of the crop. Therefore, removal of weeds from cultivated fields during the early stages of crop growth is essential for a good harvest._Mixed cropping is growing two or more crops, simultaneously on. the same piece of land, for example, wheat + gram, or wheat + mustard, or groundnut.+ sunflower. This Muant reduces risk and gives some insurance staal against failure of one of the crops.eee Us 4 4 p Generally insect pests attack the plants ree ways: (i) they cut the root, stem and leaf, (ii) they suck the cell sap from various parts of the plant, and (iii) they bore into stem and fruits. They thus affect the health of the crop. and reduce yields.FERTILIZERS Fertilizers are commercially produced plant nutrients. Pértilizersysupply nitrogen, phosphors and potassium. They are-used to ensure good vegetative growth. (leaves, branches and flowers), giving rise’ to healthy plants, Fertilizers are a factor in the higher yields of igh®éostyfamming. Fertilizers should be applied carefully in terms of proper dose; time, and observing pre- and -post-application™precautions for their complete utilisation. For examplejisometimies fertilizers gét*washedyaway,due.to excessive imigation,and:are notfully absorbed by the plants. This*excess* fertilizer then leads* to water pollution. Also, as we have seen in the previous chapter, :continuoussuse, of; fertilizers;inyan areascanydestroy soil:fertility because the organic matter in the soil is not replenished and micro-organisms in the soil are harmed by the fertilizers used. Short-term benefits of using fertilizers) and’ long-term benefits ofyw Organic farming isa fi oN AT ITH arming systemewith minimal or no use of chemicals seen herbicides, pesticides etc. and" with a maximunninput of organic manures, recycled farm-wastes (straw and livestock excreta), use of bio-agents such as culture of blue green algae in preparation of biofertilizers, neem leaves or turmeric specifically in grain storage as bio-pesticides, with healthy cropping systems [mixed cropping, inter-cropping and crop rotation as discussed below in 15.1.2.(iii)]. These cropping systems are beneficial in insect, pest and wheat control besides providing nutrients.A considered while aimin g for optimum f yields in crop productinn POrganic Farming It is an environment-friendly farming System.Features of organic farming are: ° Fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, etc., are used in minimal quantities or not used at all. * Organic manures, recycled farm-wastes (straw and livestock excreta), etc., are used maximally. ss ° Biofertilisers formed using bioagents such as culture of blue-green algae, legumes (Rhizobium), etc., are used. For storage purpose, biopesticides such as neem leaves or turmeric are used. * The healthy cropping systems (mixed Cropping, intercropping and crop rotation) are beneficial in insect, pest and weed control and in providing nutrients.Drought It is the condition that occurs because of scarcity or irregular distribution of rains. It poses a threat to rain-fed farming areas, where farmers do not use irrigation for crops production and depend only on rain. Hence, poor monsoons in such areas cause crop failure. Light soils have less water reterition capacity. In areas with light soils, crops get adversely affected by drought conditions. Scientists have developed some crop varieties, which can tolerate drought conditions.Factors Some of i Crop Variety Improvement . fa 7 is done are as fallooe” which crop variety improvement © Higher yj increase x a atiety improvement is done to coved wai of the crop per acre. different for di ie The definition of quality is a ity is impor ‘Nt crops. For example, baking pulses, oil quality in oil wheat, protein quality in ad ean: vegetables ilseeds and preserving quality in us) * and abiotic resi. insects and n ce Biotic stresses (diseases, salinity, wae and abiotic stresses (drought crop production a” heat, cold and frost) affect to such conditions nee en Varieties resistant ‘Ons are always preferred as they help to improve crop Production. (io) Change in maturj . period between sown ite Short duration or more economical. Tteallows arvesting makes.a crop multiple rounds of crops in a e farmers to grow f a year, It also reduces the cost of crop production. Uniform maturity makes the chee easy. It also reduces losses during (s) Wider adaptability Developing varieties that can grow and adapt to different conditions help in stabilising crop production. Thus, a single variety can be grown in different regions with different climatic conditions. (vi) Desirable agronomic characteristics These characteristics -depict good growth and higher productivity in plants. Plants showing such characteristics are preferr more than others, e.g; tallness and profuse branching are preferred characters for fodder crops. Dwarfnessis desired in cereals.ains Storage of Gr high losses can occur in Duri rorage of grains, : aericulural cai Factors responsible for such losses can be categorised as: ; () Biotic factors These inc mites and bacteria. ; (if) Abiotic factors These include inappropriate moisture and temperature conditions in the place of storage. Effects of these factors on grains are as follows: (a) Degradation in quality. (6) Poor germinative capacity. (c) Discoloration of the produce. (@) Loss in weight. All these lead to poor marketability and heavy economic losses. Some of the preventive and control measures during storage are: () The proper storage of grains can be done by proper treatment and systematic management of warehouses. Jude rodents, fungi, insects, (i) Strict cleaning of the produce before storage. (ii) Proper drying of the produce in sunlight and then in shade. (iz) | Fumigation should be done to kill pests in which, the insect pests are exposed to fumes of chemicals.2, both animals and birds must be protected from various diseases. Regular checkup should be done. ‘Q-How are fish obtained? Ans-there are two methods of obtaining fish 1. Capture fishing -in which the fish are obtained from natural sources such as freshwater like ponds, rivers etc. 2. Culture fishery -it Is concerned with culturing, feeding, breeding and fish, production. mariculture and aquaculture are two methods of fish farming. ‘Q-What are the advantages of composite fish culture? Ans-1. The species are selected in such a way that they do not compete for food among themselves 2. food available in all parts of the pond is utilised due to their different food habits. 3, Thus this culture increases fish-yleld from the pond. ‘Que-What are the desirable characters of the varieties sultable for honey production ? ‘Ans-1. They sting less. 2. They stay in a beehive for along time. 3. They breed well 4. They produce more honey awax. .Q-What is pasturage and how is it related to honey, production? ‘Ans-it is the availability of flowers for nectar and pollen collection. The quality and taste of honey Is determined, bye kind and quantity of pasturage or kind of flowers. 1. Itis the process of 1. [tis a practice of 1.tis the production of obtaining fish from culture of marine fish _| fish from fresh water natural resources as varieties in the open sea _| resources (which include ponds, canals, rivers, etc. canals, ponds, reservoirs and rivers) and brackish water resources. 72.Fish canbe located | 2.Fishcanbe located | 2. Fish canbe located easily and are caught —_| with the help of satellites | easily and are caught using fishing nets. and echo sounders. easily and are caught Marinefish are caught | using fishing nets. using many kinds of fishing nets from fishing boats.Compost tis prepared from all types of organic wastes like sewage, animal refuse, farm waste, etc. lttakes 3-6 months Vermicompost It is prepared from domestic waste, vegetable waste, ete.’ It takes 1-2’months to prepare. PRSORND. sc etre Organic remains are decomposed by microbes. Organic remains are pulverised by earthworms. arthworms; Intercropping differs from mixed cropping in several ways, which areas follows: Intercropping It is a practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously in definite pattern. Its main target is to increase the productivity per unit area. Seeds of two crops are not mixed before sowing. Both crops are easily threshed and harvested separately. Mixed Cropping It is a practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land. Its main target is to minimise the risk of total crop failure. Seeds of two crops are mixed before sowing. Harvesting and threshing of both crops separately is not possible.15 Discuss, why pesticides should be used in very accurate concentration and in very appropriate manner. NCERT Exemplar Sol. [Pesticides should be used in accurate concentration as they are very harmful to the environment. They are non-biodegradable and can accumulate in organismd (biomagnifiaction).eens et ete SABES, CICiy Some ” OF thei Co. irmlands. ‘onl, se He ype of ware ped irrigation systems depending on PUFPOSES are a, follows. < available for agricultural | Wells . These are cong ese | t for irrigation, Thaw’ wherever groundwater is present (0 Dug wells Ware (2 1%? PEE (i) Tube well strata using Rilacs caf be drawn from deeper Ips. |, Canals main canal is Further divided i have distributaries to irrigate fields. II. River Lift Systems This method is used in areas, where canal flow is insufficient or irregular due to insufficient reservoir release. Here, water is directly drawn from the rivers for supplementing irrigation in areas close to rivers. \V. Tanks These are small storage reservoirs. These catch and store the run-off of smaller catchment areas. There are fresh initiatives for increasing water availability for agriculture by augmenting groundwater. These include () Rainwater harvesting In this, rainwater is collected into ground by digging tunnels, etc. This water percolates into the soil, thus maintaining the water table. | i) Watershed development Small check-dams are built ro increase groundwater level. The purpose of check-dams is to stp the rainwater from flowing away and also co reduce soil erosion.13 Discuss various methods of weeg control NCERT Exemplar Sol. The various methods of weed control are: () Mechanical method Uprooting, ploughing, burying and flooding. (i) Cultural method Proper seed bed Preparation, timely sowing of crops, intercropping and crop rotation. (it) Chemical method Spraying of chemicals like herbicides or weedicides. (iv) Biological control Use of insects or some organisms, which consume and destroy the weed plants, e.g. prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia) is controlled by insects and aquatic weeds are controlled by grass carp. weeding,12 The food available is decreasing, day by day, both in quantity and in quality. What steps can be employed to improve this condition, when the population is increasing drastically? 21. The following steps can be taken to improve the condition of food for present as well*as for future generations: (4) By selecting good variety of crops having desirable agronomic traits. Such varieties can be developed using hybridisation technique and by genetic modification of crops. (4) The field should be kept fertile and nutrient rich by using manure, etc. (ii) By using high yielding variety of seeds for high yield per acre. (iv) By using a beneficial cropping pattern such as mixed cropping, crop rotation, etc. (v) By improving irrigation facilities and bringing more agricultural land under irrigation. (vi) By protecting crops from weeds, diseases, etc.np” , 20 What is a GM crop? Name any one such crop which is grown in India . « Q. 24 s, Crops which are been developed by introducing a new gene from any other source, | Crops ee olher organism to obtain the desired character is caled Gensel, | Modified (GM) crop. Bt cotton is an example of GM crop which is made insocttestaat, introducing a new gene from a bacteria.