Chapter 1: Crop production and Management

Choose the correct Answers :

1.Which one of the following condition is not essential to grow maize?
 (a) High temperature   (b) Humidity  (c) Low temperature   (d)  Rainfall

Answer : (c) Low temperature.
[ Maize requires high temperature, humidity, and rainfall, not low temperature, which hinders its growth.]

2.Propagation of ginger is generally done using
   (a) seed       (b) stem (rhizome)         (c) root        (d) leaf

Answer: (b) stem (rhizome).
[ Ginger reproduces vegetatively using its underground modified stem called a rhizome, not through seeds, roots, or leaves.]

3.Which of the following statement is not true for organic manure?
(a) It enhances water holding capacity of soil.
(b) It has a balance of all plant nutrients.
(c) It provides humus to soil.
(d) It improves texture of soil.

Answer: (b) It has a balance of all plant nutrients.
[ Organic manure improves soil texture, water holding capacity, and provides humus, but it does not have a perfectly balanced supply of all plant nutrients.]
4.The term used for the process of separation of grains from chaff is
(a) sieving       (b) threshing           (c) winnowing      (d) hand picking

Answer: (c) winnowing.
[ Winnowing is the process of separating grains from chaff using wind or air, while threshing is used to separate grains from the stalk. ]
5.Read the statements given below.
(i) Seeds require moisture for germination.
(ii) Plants can absorb nutrients mostly in dissolved form.
(iii) Irrigation protects crops from both frost and hot air currents.
(iv) Irrigation improves soil texture.
Choose the combination of statements which indicate the need to irrigate crops.
(a)  (i) and (ii)            (b) (i), (ii), (iii)        (c)  (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)     (d)  (i) and (iii)

Answer: (b) (i), (ii), (iii).
[ Irrigation provides moisture for seed germination (i), dissolves nutrients for absorption (ii), and protects crops from frost/hot air (iii). It does not improve soil texture (iv).]

6.Which of the following tools would a farmer use to remove weeds from the field?
(a) Hoe     (b) Plough      (c) Axe      (d) Cultivator

Answer: (a) Hoe.
[ A hoe is a simple tool used to remove weeds and loosen soil. Plough, axe, and cultivator are not primarily for weeding.]

7.Which of the following is not true for fertilisers?
(a) They increase the yield.
(b) Their excessive use disturbs the balance of nutrients in soil.
(c) They are generally used in small quantity.
(d) They are environment friendly.

Answer: (d) They are environment friendly.
[ Fertilisers can cause water pollution and soil imbalance, so they are not environmentally friendly. The other statements are true.]
8.Given below are statements about the harmful effects of weeds on crop plants.
(i) They interfere in harvesting.
(ii) They help crop plants to grow healthily.
(iii) They compete with crop plants for water, nutrients, space and light.
(iv) They affect plant growth.
Choose the correct combination of statements.
(a)  (i), (iii), (iv)   (b) (iii) only     (c) (iii), (iv)    (d)  (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

Answer:  (a) i, iii, iv.
[ Weeds interfere in harvesting (i), compete for resources (iii), and affect plant growth (iv). They do not help crops grow healthily (ii is false).]

9.The process of loosening and turning of soil is called
(a) irrigation and manuring       (b) digging and winnowing     (c)  tilling and ploughing     (d) harvesting and storage

Answer: (c) tilling and ploughing.
[ Tilling and ploughing involve loosening and turning the soil to prepare it for sowing seeds. The other options refer to different agricultural practices.]

10.The monsoon season in our country is during the months
(a) April to December    (b) June to September     (c) November to March    (d) January to May

Answer: (b) June to September.
[ In India, the southwest monsoon arrives around June and retreats by September, bringing most of the annual rainfall.]
11.The system of irrigation where in water is supplied drop by drop near the roots of plants, is called
(a) pulley system       (b) drip system       (c) sprinkler system     (d) lever system

Answer: (b) drip system.
[ In drip irrigation, water is delivered drop by drop directly near plant roots, minimizing wastage and ensuring efficient water use.]

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

12. Pick out the odd one from the following words given in the box and give reason for it.
           Plough, Seed Drill, Hoe, Chain Pump, Sickle

Answer: Chain Pump
Plough, seed drill, hoe, and sickle are all tools used for soil preparation or harvesting on land, while a chain pump is a water-lifting device used for irrigation.

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

Answer: Before sowing seeds, the land should be ploughed and levelled. Manure or fertiliser should be added, and proper irrigation should be arranged to make soil fertile and suitable for germination.

14. 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 → Good quality seeds alone are not enough; proper irrigation, manures, fertilisers, and crop management are also needed for high yield.

(ii) False → Growing different crops in different seasons helps maintain soil nutrients instead of depleting them.

(iii) False → Some crop plants are also grown using stems or other parts, not only seeds.

(iv) False → Bacteria in root nodules of leguminous plants fix nitrogen, not the plant cells.

(v) True → Freshly harvested grains must be dried properly before storage to prevent spoilage.

15. During which months do farmers grow mustard in India?

Answer: Farmers grow mustard in India during the winter season, mainly from October to March, as it is a rabi crop that needs cool climatic conditions for proper growth.
16. Which activity of the farmer can promote growth of earthworms and microbes in the field?

Answer: Adding manure or organic compost to the field promotes earthworms and microbes because it provides them food and improves soil conditions for their growth and activity.

   SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

17. Beera, wants to practice crop rotation in his field. Suggest a Rabi crop and a Kharif crop which will replenish his field with nitrogen. Which crop replenishes nitrogen and why?

Answer:  Rabi crop: Pea (legume). Kharif crop: Soybean (legume).
Leguminous crops like pea and soybean replenish nitrogen through root nodules containing Rhizobium bacteria, which fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, enriching fertility naturally.

18. Match the agricultural implements given in Column A with their use given in Column B.
      Column A               Column B
  (i) Sickle                    (a) Ploughing
  (ii) Hoe                      (b) Sowing
 (iii) Seed Drill            (c) Harvesting
 (iv) Sprinkler             (d) Irrigation
         (i)___; (ii)___; (iii)___; (iv)___

Answer:  (i) Sickle → (c) Harvesting
(ii) Hoe → (a) Ploughing
(iii) Seed Drill → (b) Sowing
(iv) Sprinkler → (d) Irrigation

So, the answer is: (i) c ;  (ii) a ;  (iii) b ; (iv) d

19. What are organic foods?

Answer: Organic foods are food items produced without using chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or synthetic growth hormones. They are grown using natural methods like compost and manure, which keep the soil healthy and make the food safer for consumption.

21. (a) Name the tool used with a tractor for sowing seeds in a field.
(b) What are the advantages of using this tool?

Answer:  (a) The tool used with a tractor for sowing seeds is the seed drill.

(b) It sows seeds uniformly at proper depth and distance, covers them with soil, and reduces seed wastage.

22. (a) Name the practice followed for large scale rearing of farm animals.
(b) What facilities are provided to farm animals?

Answer: (a) The practice followed for large scale rearing of farm animals is called animal husbandry.

(b) Farm animals are provided with proper shelter, clean water, balanced food, and regular healthcare (vaccination and treatment) to keep them healthy and productive.

23. Clasify the following crops into Khariff and Rabi crops and write in the tabular column given below:
    Maize, paddy, mustard, pea, gram, wheat, groundnut, cotton.

        Khariff                Rabi

       --------              ---------

       --------              ---------

      --------               ---------

     --------                ---------

Answer:

Kharif (June–October)	Rabi (October–March)
Maize	Mustard
Paddy (Rice)	Pea
Groundnut	Gram
Cotton	Wheat

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

24. Despite favourable climatic conditions, a farmer’s crop failed to give good yield. Give the possible reasons for this.

Answer: The possible reasons despite favourable climate:

(i) Use of poor quality or old seeds

(ii) Lack of proper irrigation or irregular watering

(iii) Deficiency of nutrients due to no manure/fertilisers

(iv) Weed infestation competing for resources

(v) Attack by pests, insects, or diseases

(vi) Improper ploughing or seed sowing method

25. As a part of eco-club activity students were asked to raise a kitchen garden in the school premises. They were provided with some materials given in the box. List the other materials you would require. How will you plan the garden? Write the steps. 

khurpi, water-can, spade, shovel
Note: You have been asked to use only environment friendly materials.

Answer:  Apart from khurpi, water-can, spade and shovel, the following environment-friendly materials are also required:

Other materials needed:

(i) Seeds of vegetables (like spinach, tomato, brinjal, beans)

(ii) Compost or manure (cow dung manure or kitchen waste compost)

(iii) Gardening gloves (cotton or reusable cloth gloves)

(iv) Bamboo sticks or twigs (for support of plants like tomato)

(v) Old buckets or earthen pots (for water storage if needed)

(vi) Mulch (dry leaves or grass)

Steps to plan the kitchen garden:

(a) Select the site: Choose a sunny place in the school where plants can get enough sunlight and water.

(b) Prepare the soil: Use a spade and shovel to dig and loosen the soil. Remove stones, weeds and other waste.

(c) Add manure: Mix compost or cow dung manure into the soil to make it fertile.

(d) Make beds: Divide the area into small plots or beds for different vegetables.

(e) Sow seeds: Plant seeds at proper depth and spacing depending on the crop.

(f) Watering: Use a water-can to water the soil gently so that seeds are not disturbed.

(g) Provide support: Use bamboo sticks for plants that need support while growing.

(h) Care and maintenance: Remove weeds regularly using khurpi and water the plants properly.

(i) Harvesting: Collect vegetables when they are fully grown and ready to eat.

26. Paddy is a major cereal crop in our country.
(a) In which season is paddy cultivated?
(b) Discuss the method of sowing.
(c) What measures must be taken to prevent spoilage and insect attack of harvested grains.

Answer:  (a) Paddy is mainly cultivated in the rainy season (Kharif season).

(b) Paddy is usually grown by transplantation method. First, seeds are sown in a small nursery to grow seedlings. After about 20–30 days, the seedlings are carefully pulled out and transplanted into the main field which is already filled with water and well prepared. The seedlings are planted in rows to allow proper growth.

(c) After harvesting, grains should be dried properly in sunlight to remove moisture. Then they should be stored in clean and dry granaries or silos. To prevent insect attack, natural preservatives like neem leaves or proper fumigation methods can be used. Grains should also be protected from moisture and pests during storage.

30. Terms related to agricultural practice are given below. Rearrange them in the correct sequence.
        harvesting, sowing, manuring, tilling and ploughing, irrigation, de–weeding.

Answer: The correct sequence of agricultural practices is:

Tilling and ploughing → Manuring → Sowing → Irrigation → De-weeding → Harvesting

[ (i) Tilling and ploughing: Soil is prepared by loosening it.

(ii) Manuring: Nutrients are added to improve soil fertility.

(iii) Sowing: Seeds are planted in the prepared soil.

(iv) Irrigation: Water is supplied to the crops at regular intervals.

(v) De-weeding: Unwanted plants (weeds) are removed.

(vi) Harvesting: Mature crops are cut and collected. ]