ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
1. Observe the correlation between the words of the first pair and Complete the second pair:
(i) Red Sindhi: good resistance to diseases: : Swiss Brown:…………….
(ii) Green Revolution: food grains::……………..
(iii) Dwarfness: cereals::……………..: fodder crops
(iv) Oil seeds: Fats:: Pulses: …………..
(v) Green Revolution : Increase in food grain production:: White Revolution: …………….
Ans:
(i) longer lactation period (ii) White Revolution
(iii) Tallness (iv) Proteins
(v) Increase in milk production.
2. Name the following:
(a) Food item whose production was increased by the White Revolution.
Ans: Milk.
(b) Any two fodder crops grown in fields for cattle.
Ans: Berseem, oats and Sudan grass.
(c) Name kharif crops grown in India.
Ans: Paddy, soyabean, pigeon pea, cotton, maize, green gram and black gram.
(d) Any two Rabi crops grown in India.
Ans: Wheat, gram, peas, mustard, linseed.
(e) The nutrients supplied by the air and the soil to the plants.
Ans: Oxygen by air and hydrogen by soil.
(f) The organisms or substances from which bio-fertilisers and bio-pesticides are produced.
Ans: Bio-fertilisers from blue green algae and bio-pesticides from neem leaves and turmeric.
3. Any two sources of water used for irrigation.
Ans: Wells, canals.
4. Any two foreign breeds of cow used in cross-breeding.
Ans: Jersey and Swiss Brown.
5. Any two indigenous breeds of cows used in cross-breeding.
Ans: Saheel or Red Sindhi.
6. The parasite that affects the liver of the cattle.
Ans: Fluke.
7. Three different types of hybridisation used for incorporating desired characters into a crop.
Ans: Interspecific, inter varietal, intergeneric.
8. The living organism that takes part in producing vermicompost.
Ans: Earthworm.
9. Any two biotic factors responsible for losses during storage.
Ans: Insects, rodents, fungi, mites and bacteria
10. Any two abiotic factors responsible for losses during storage.
Ans: Inappropriate moisture and temperature at the place of storage.
11. The common method of producing cattle of desired quality.
Ans: Cross-breeding
12. The method by which a variety of crops having the desired features is produced.
Ans: Hybridisation.
13. The factors on which the cultivation practices in India depend.
Ans: The cultivation practices depend on:
(i) weather (ii) soil quality (iii) availability of water.
14. Any two common weeds.
Ans: Xanthium, Parthenium, Cypernius rotundus
15. The poultry farmed for (i) egg production (ii) meat
Ans:(i) Layers (ii) Broilers
16. The two ways of obtaining fish.
Ans: Capture fishing and fish farming or culture fishery.
17. The two products of bee-keeping
Ans: Honey and wax
18. Two crop seasons in India.
Ans: Rabi and Kharif
19. Give one word for the following
(i) Commercially produced plant nutrients
Ans: Fertilisers.
(ii) Unwanted plants growing in the field.
Ans: Weeds.
(iii) Disease causing bacteria, fungi and viruses in plants.
Ans: Pathogens.
(iv) Scientific management of animal livestock.
Ans: Animal husbandry.
(v) Crossing between genetically dissimilar plants.
Ans: Hybridisation.
(vi) Area where sea water and fresh water meet.
Ans: Brackish water.
(vii) A bee farm for commercial honey production.
Ans: Apiary.
(viii) Nutrients required in large quantities by the plants.
Ans: Macro nutrients
(ix) Nutrients required in small quantities by the plants.
Ans: Micro nutrients
(x) Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land.
Ans: Mixed farming.
(xi) Culture fisheries of marine fish.
Ans: Mariculture
(xii) The flowers available to the bees for collecting nectar.
Ans: Pasturage.
Answer the following:
1. Write the features or the characteristics for the selection of a crop variety.
Ans:(i) Its resistance to diseases
(ii) Response to fertilisers
(iii) Quality of the product and
(iv) High yield.
2. Two ways of incorporating desirable characteristics into a crop.
Ans: Hybridisation and introducing a gene responsible for the desired characteristics.
3. Any two advantages of construction of check dams.
Ans: Check-dams stop rain water from flowing away. They increase ground water level.
4. Any two ways in which insect pests can damage crops.
Ans: They cut the roots, stems and leaves. They suck the cell sap from various parts of the plant
5. Any two preventive measures to be taken to avoid losses during storage of grains.
Ans: Cleaning the produce before storing. proper drying, first in sunlight and then in the shade. fumigation to kill pests.
6. Any two uses of cattle in India.
Ans: For the production of milk. As draught animals for agricultural work like tilling, irrigation
and carting.
7. Two methods used to obtain fish.
Ans:
(i) capture fishing and
(ii) fish farming or culture fishery.
8. Two examples of brackish water.
Ans: Lagoons and estuaries.
9. The factors on which the quality and taste of honey depends.
Ans: The quality of the honey depends upon the pasturage or flowers available to the bees for collection of nectar and pollen. The taste of honey depends upon the type of flowers from which
the nectar is collected.
10. The uses of bees wax.
Ans: Bees wax is used in various medicinal preparations.
11. The specific reason why the following agronomic characteristics are desired in each:
(i) Tallness and profuse branching in fodder crops
(ii) Dwarfness in cereal crops.
Ans:
(i) To increase the quantity of the fodder.
(ii) To lessen the nutrients consumed by the crop
12. Advantages of using manures.
Ans:
(i) Manure improves the soil structure
(ii) As it is prepared from animal excreta and plant waste, it is not expensive like fertilisers.
(iii) It does no harm to the environment as it is made from biological waste.
(iv) Producing manure is a way of recycling farm waste.
13. Advantages of inter-cropping
Ans: It ensures maximum utilisation of nutrients since the crops with different nutrient requirements are selected. It prevents pests and diseases from spreading to all plants of the
same crop. If one crop fails, the farmer is assured to gain from other crops.
14. Name the methods of weed control.
Ans:
(a) Mechanical removal like hand plucking
(b) Preparing proper seed beds
(c) Sowing of crops in time
(d) Using inter-cropping and crop rotation
(e) Ploughing in summer.
15. The characteristics of Italian bees for which they have been introduced in India.
Ans: Italian bees have high honey collection capacity. They are stingless. They live in a given beehive for a long period. They breed very well.
16. There is a need to increase production efficiency for crops. Why ?
Ans: To increase food production, land has been extensively utilised. Hence there is not much scope to bring more land under agriculture. Therefore Production efficiency is to be improved in order to increase food production further
17. What do you mean by hybridization ?
Ans: Hybridisation is a process of crossing genetically dissimilar plants with the crop variety of the desired characteristics.
18. Why are short duration crops more favorable to a farmer? Give two reasons.
Ans: When the crops are of short duration: it enables a farmer to grow multiple rounds of crops, it reduces the cost of crop production.
19. Why is shorter duration variety of crops economical ?
Ans: Shorter duration crops are ready for harvesting in less time. Therefore the farmer can grow multiple rounds of crops during a year. Since it the cost of production is also reduced
20. Varieties of crops that can grow in a variety of climatic conditions are developed. Why ?
Ans: In India weather conditions are unpredictable. There may be extreme situations as droughts and floods Therefore crops that can grow in a variety of climatic conditions are developed
21. A new variety of crop should have wider adaptability. Why ?
Ans: A new variety of crop should have a wider adaptability because it stabilises the crop production under different environmental conditions i.e. one variety of a crop should be able to grow in different climatic conditions prevailing in different areas
22. In Goa, the farmers are using new varieties of rice crops like Jaya, Jyoti, and so on. Give a reason.
Ans: If agriculture has to be economically viable, the variety should be such that it gives a high yield, and possesses good ability to resist diseases. The farmer selects the varieties like Jaya and Jyoti which fulfills the required features.
23. Why should the variety of cereal crops be dwarf ?
Ans: The variety of cereal crops should be dwarf so that they require less nutrients for their growth and therefore consume less nutrients.
24. What do you mean by macronutrients and micronutrients ?
Ans: Macronutrients are the nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Sulphur which are required by a plant in large quantities. Micronutrients are the nutrients like Iron, Manganese, Boron, Zinc, Copper, Molybdenum and Chlorine which are required in small quantities.
25. Measures have been taken to bring more and more agricultural land under irrigation. Give reason.
Ans: To get optimum yield the crop should get enough water at the right stages of its growth. In the rain fed areas, this is not assured because the rains are uncertain. By irrigation sufficient quantities of can be supplied depending on the stage of growth. Also, irrigation makes possible multiplicity of crops during a year.
26. How are manures prepared ?
Ans: Manures are prepared by decomposition of animal excreta and plant waste.
27. How is compost prepared ?
Ans: Compost is prepared by decomposition of farm waste material like livestock excreta, vegetable waste, animal refuse, domestic waste, sewage waste, straw, discarded weeds, and so on.
28. Composting helps in the cleanliness of the environment. Give reason.
Ans: In composting all the waste material like animal excreta, animal refuse, domestic and vegetable waste, sewage waste, and discarded weeds are decomposed in pits and are then used as manure. So composting gets rid of the waste which otherwise would have affected the environment.
29. The use of manures help in protecting the environment. Why ?
Ans: The manures are produced by the decomposition of biological or farm waste. These wastes would have affected the environment if they were not recycled to produce manures. Therefore the use of manures protects the environment.
30. How is green manure added to the soil by a farmer ?
Ans: The farmer grows plants like sun hemp or guar in the land to be cultivated. He then matches them into the soil by ploughing. The matched green plants are converted into green manure.
31. In what respect does vermi compost differ from compost.
Ans: Vermi-compost is the compost prepared by using earthworms which hasten the process of decomposition of plant and animal waste.
32. Why do manures improve soil structure ?
Ans: Manures are prepared by the decomposition of animal excreta and plant waste. Hence they contain large quantities of organic matter. Thus manures enrich the soil with organic matter which improves the soil structure
33. Continuous use of fertilisers can destroy the fertility of the soil. Give reason.
Ans: Continuous use of fertilisers can destroy the fertility of the soil because they do not replenish the organic matter of the soil. Secondly they harm the micro-organisms present in the soil.
34. Why should the excessive use of chemical pesticides be avoided ?
Ans: Chemical pesticides are poisonous therefore they harm the plant and animal species. They may also be washed away to the water bodies thereby polluting water and endangering the aquatic life.
35. What are the advantages of mixed cropping ?
Ans: The advantage of mixed cropping is that it minimises the risk failure, lf one crop fails, at least the other gives some return to the farmer
36. What is inter-cropping ?
Ans: Inter-crop is growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in a definite pattern.
37. What are the advantages of intercropping ?
Ans: The advantages of intercropping are: There is better utilisation of nutrients since crops have different nutrient requirements. Since crops are not grown at a stretch, it prevents the pests and diseases from spreading to the entire crop in the field
38. What are the advantages of crop rotation ?
Ans: Crop rotation: avoids the absorption of only a few nutrients by the crop. Instead several nutrients are absorbed from the soil by different crops. If one of the crops is leguminous, it adds nitrogen compounds to the soil thereby decreasing the cost on fertilisers. Several crops can be grown in succession during a year.
39. How do insect pests damage the crop ?
Ans: Insect pests damage the crop in three ways: They cut the roots, stems and leaves. They suck the cell sap from various parts of the plant. They bore into the stem and fruits
40. How can the growth of weeds be prevented ?
Ans: The growth of the weeds can be prevented by: proper seed bed preparation, practicing intercropping and crop rotation, timely sowing of seeds.
41. Why should weeds be removed at early stages of crop growth ?
Ans: Weeds compete with the crops for food, light and space. They take up the nutrients and reduce the growth of the crops. Therefore weeds are to be removed at early stages of crop growth.
42. Some farmers plough their fields in summer. Why ?
Ans: Deep ploughing of fields in summer destroys weeds and pests.
43. Why are the grains dried well before storing ?
Ans: Excess moisture in the grain is one of the factors that account for losses during storage. Hence grains are to be dried well before storage to get rid of excess moisture.
44. What are the preventive and control measures adopted before storing grain for future use ?
Ans: The preventive and control measures adopted are: Thorough cleaning of the produce before storage. Proper drying of the produce, first in sunlight and then in the shade. Fumigation using chemicals that kill the pests.
45. The storehouses storing grains are often fumigated. Give reason .
Ans: The storehouses storing grains are often fumigated to kill the pests which damage the stored grain
46. What are the outcomes of the “Green Revolution’ and ‘White Revolution’ ?
Ans: Food grain production and milk production has increased due to the Green Revolution’ and White Revolution’ respectively.
47. What is animal husbandry ?
Ans: Animal husbandry is the scientific management of aspects like feeding, breeding and disease control of animals.
48. Cross breeding of the Jersey variety is done with indigenous breeds. Give reason.
Ans: For a good milk yield, the breed of the cattle should have a long lactation period. Also, it should be resistant to diseases. The Jersey variety has a long lactation period while the indigenous breed like Sahiwal is resistant to diseases. The cross-breed of the two has both these features.
49. Proper cleaning and shelter facilities should be provided for cows and buffaloes. Why ?
Ans: Proper cleaning and shelter facilities: ensure proper health of the animals, ensure the milk collected is clean, protects the animals from rain, heat and cold.
50. Why should the floor of the cattle shed be made sloppy ?
Ans: The floor of the cattle shed should be sloppy so that the liquid waste drains automatically and keeps the floor dry. Also it is easy for cleaning.
51. Why is the Italian variety Apis mellifera preferred in commercial honey production ?
Ans: The Italian variety Apis mellifera is preferred in commercial honey production because
(a) They have high honey collection capacity. (b) They sting less.
(c)They stay in a given beehive for a long period. (d) They breed well.
52. Why is bee-keeping recommended for farmers ?
Ans: Bee-keeping is recommended for farmers because it gives them additional income with a very low investment.
53. On what does the (i) quality and (ii) taste of honey depend.
Ans: The quality of honey depends upon the flowers available to the bees while its taste is determined by the kind of flowers available.
54. What is composite fish culture ?
Ans: Composite fish culture is a system in which five or six species of fish are brought up simultaneously in a single fishpond. The species of fish are selected depending on their food habits such that they do not compete with one another for food. As a result the food is available to all the species.
Give two points to distinguish between:
(a) Manures and fertilisers
Ans:
| Manures | Fertilizers |
| Manures are prepared by decomposition of animal excreta and plant waste. | Fertilisers are prepared chemically. |
| They contain large quantities of organic matter | They lack in organic matter |
| Benefits of manures are long term | Benefits of fertilizers are short term. |
| Long term use of manures improves the soil structure. | Long term use of fertilisers destroys the soil structure |
(b) Mixed farming and inter cropping.
Ans:
| Mixed farming | Inter-cropping |
| There is no definite pattern of crops | There is a definite pattern of crops |
| Since the crops are mixed there is difficulty in harvesting | Since the crops are not mixed there is no difficulty in harvesting |
| Since the crops are not separated the entire crop of one type may be damaged by disease. | Since the crops are separated the entire crop is not damaged by disease. |
(c) Capture fishing and fish farming.
Ans:
| Capture fishing | Fish farming |
| Capture fishing can be carried out in seas as well as in inland waters | Fish farming can be practised only in inland waters. |
| Varieties of fish are not fixed or assured | Varieties of fish are assured |
| Catch of fish is less | Catch of fish is more. |
(d) Kharif crops and Rabi crops.
Ans:
| Kharif crops | Rabi crops |
| Kharif crops are grown in the rainy season from June to October. | Rabi crops are grown in winter from November to April. |
| They are grown on rain water | They are brought up by water supplied through irrigation. |
| Since the rains are uncertain the crops may fail at times | Since the water supply is assured the crop yield is assured. |
Answer the following:
1. What are the problems in composite fishing ?
Ans: The major problem in composite fishing is the difficulty in getting good quality seeds for fish farming. The fish seed is not purely of one species but is also mixed with other species.
2. How are the problems overcome ?
Ans: This problem is overcome by breeding fish in a pond using hormonal stimulation. This ensures pure seeds of a particular Species.
3. What do you mean by sustainable practices in agriculture ?
Ans: Sustainable agricultural practices are the agricultural practices which enhance the quality of the environment and conserve natural resources.
4. What are the measures undertaken for sustainable practices in agriculture ?
Ans: For this purpose, minimum amount of chemical fertilisers and pesticides are used and there is maximum use of organic manures, bio-fertilisers, and bio-pesticides. Other preventive methods like intercropping, and crop rotation are also practiced.
5. Some time ago, the Government of Goa announced the ‘Kamdhenu’ under this scheme an individual was eligible to get a loan and a subsidy to buy dairy animals.
(a) What are the objectives of the scheme ?
Ans: To increase milk production and offer self-employment/additional income to agriculturists.
(b) What breed of dairy animals would meet the objectives ?
Ans: A cross breed which has longer lactation period and resistance to diseases.
6. Describe the ways of incorporating desirable characteristics into a crop.
Ans: The ways of incorporating desirable characteristics into a crop are:
(i) Hybridisation: is a crossing between genetically dissimilar plants. The crossing may be intervarietal i.e. between different varieties, inter specific i.e. between two different species of the same genus or intergeneric i.e. between two different genera.
(ii) Introducing a gene: A gene responsible for the desired characteristics is introduced.
7. Organic farming is a farming system with minimal use or no use of chemicals as fertilisers.
(a) What substitute is used instead of chemical fertilisers in organic farming ?
Ans: In place of chemical fertilisers, organic manures, recycled farm wastes, and so on, are used.
(b) What are the disadvantages of long term use of chemical fertilisers ?
Ans: Continuous use of fertilisers can destroy the fertility of the soil because they do not replenish the organic matter of the soil. Secondly they harm the micro-organisms present in the soil.
8. Name the bio-pesticides used in organic farming.
Ans: Neem leaves and turmeric are used as bio-pesticides in organic farming
9. Enlist any three advantages of using manure.
Ans: The advantages of using manures are: They enrich the soil with nutrients and organic matter and increase its fertility. The organic matter supplied by the manure increases the soil structure. They increase the water holding capacity of sandy soils avoid water logging in clayey soils. They protect the environment since they are prepared by recycling biological or farm waste. They avoid the damage that would have been caused to the soil and water if fertilisers were used instead.
10. In Goa, the harvesting of the rice crop is usually over by October, in rain fed areas. After harvesting the rice crop, in some parts, where there is moisture in the soil, the farmers cultivate beans.
(a) What season crop is rice ?
Ans: Kharif season crop.
(b) What season crop is beans ?
Ans: Rabi season crop.
86. What type of cropping pattern is practiced by the farmers ?
Ans: Crop rotation.
87. What is the advantage of cultivating beans ?
Ans: Bean is a leguminous crop. It enriches the soil with nitrogen Compounds.
11. Mahabaleshwar is a famous hill station in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. It is close to Pune. It is also famous for its honey. Honey of different tastes is available there in different seasons.
(a) What factors make Mahabaleshwar famous for honey ?
Ans: The Western Ghats is very rich in vegetation. Naturally, bees have abundant pasturage or flowers for collection of nectar. This makes Mahabaleshwar famous for honey.
(b) Why is honey of different tastes available there in different seasons ?
Ans: The taste of honey depends upon the type of flowers available to bees for collection of nectar. The flower availability depends upon the season. Hence the taste of honey is different in different seasons.
12. Though the city Pune is close to Mahabaleshwar, it is not famous for honey. Why ?
Ans: Pune is a city situated on the plateau, not having a rich vegetation. Hence Pune is not famous for honey.
13. In which areas of Goa, is there a good scope for bee-keeping.
Ans: In talukas like Sanguem, and Sattari, which include parts of the Western Ghats, there is a good scope for bee-keeping due to the rich and diverse vegetation.