Glossary
Autotrophs: Organisms that can produce their own food, such as plants, through processes like photosynthesis.
Heterotrophs: Organisms that cannot produce their own food and depend on other organisms (like plants) for nutrition.
Agriculture: The practice of cultivating land to grow crops and raise animals for food, fiber, and other products.
Crop Production: The large-scale cultivation of one type of plant.
Kharif Crops: Crops grown during the rainy season (June to October), dependent on monsoon, such as paddy, maize, and groundnut.
Rabi Crops: Crops grown during the winter season (November to April), not dependent on monsoon, such as wheat, mustard, and linseed.
Ploughing: The process of loosening and turning the soil to prepare it for sowing seeds. It improves air circulation, water retention, and uproots weeds.
Sowing: The act of planting seeds in the soil after ploughing. It can be done manually or with a seed drill.
Soil Replenishment: The process of restoring nutrients to the soil, often using techniques like crop rotation, field fallow, and the addition of manure or fertilizers.
Manure: Organic matter, such as animal dung and plant waste, used to enrich the soil with nutrients.
Fertilizers: Chemical substances rich in specific nutrients (like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) used to improve soil fertility.
Vermicomposting: The process of using earthworms to decompose organic waste (like plant matter) to create nutrient-rich compost.
Irrigation: The process of supplying water to plants to aid their growth. This can be done through various methods like sprinklers, drip irrigation, and traditional systems.
Weeding: The removal of unwanted plants (weeds) from the field to prevent competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight.
Pesticides: Chemicals used to kill or control pests that damage crops.
Harvesting: The process of gathering mature crops from the field after they have reached their full growth.
Threshing: The process of separating the edible grains from the rest of the harvested crop.
Winnowing: A process used to separate grain from chaff by using wind or air.
Storage: The preservation of harvested crops to prevent spoilage. This is often done in granaries, silos, or cold storage.
Green Revolution: A period during the 1960s when high-yielding crop varieties were introduced to India to increase food production and meet the needs of the growing population.
Hybridization: The process of cross-breeding two different varieties of plants to produce a new variety with desirable traits.
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: Crops whose DNA has been altered through genetic engineering to possess traits not naturally found in the plant, such as resistance to pests or diseases.
Leguminous Plants: Plants that can fix nitrogen in the soil through their root nodules, which help improve soil fertility. Examples include peas, beans, and soybeans.
Seed Drill: A farming tool that sows seeds in the soil by creating furrows and dropping seeds at regular intervals.
Combine Harvester: A machine that combines the processes of harvesting, threshing, and winnowing into one step, making it more efficient for large-scale farming.
Crop Rotation: The practice of growing different types of crops in the same area in different seasons to maintain soil fertility.
Something To Know
A. Fill in the blanks.
- ______________ results in loosening and mixing of soil.
Answer – Ploughing
- ______________ compete with crops for nutrients.
Answer – Weeds
- ______________ bacteria, present in the root nodules of ______________ plants, help
in fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
Answer – Rhizobium, leguminous
- Harvested grains are ______________ to reduce moisture content.
Answer – Sun-dried
- Removal of anthers, from the flowers, is known as______________ .
Answer – Emasculation
B. Match the following.
- Sickle (a) threshing
- Tractor (b) storage
- Seed Drill (c) ploughing
- Combine (d) harvesting
- Silo (e) sowing
Answer –
- Sickle – (d) harvesting
- Tractor – (c) ploughing
- Seed Drill – (e) sowing
- Combine – (a) threshing
- Silo – (b) storage
C. Tick (✓) the correct option.
- The practice, of growing leguminous plants between successive cereal crops, is called—
agriculture
cultivation
crop rotation
transplantation
Answer – crop rotation
- Which among the following is a Kharif crop?
wheat
barley
gram
rice
Answer – rice
- The organic substance, obtained from dead plants, animals and their wastes is known as—
manure
fertiliser
crumb
chaff
Answer – manure
- The process of separating grain from chaff is known as—
threshing
weeding
tilling
winnowing
Answer – winnowing
- Crops, which are grown during the rainy season, are known as—
rabi crops
leguminous crops
kharif crops
cereal crops
Answer – kharif crops
D. Answer the following questions in brief:
- Why is the use of a seed drill more advantageous as compared to sowing seeds by broadcasting?
Answer – The use of a seed drill is more advantageous because it ensures uniform distribution of seeds at the proper depth, which helps in better germination. It also reduces wastage of seeds and minimizes the chances of seeds being eaten by birds or washed away by rain, unlike broadcasting where seeds may be scattered unevenly.
- Babu wants to practice crop rotation. Help him by suggesting what kind of crops can be grown between two consecutive cereal crops? Also, provide him names of one Rabi and one Kharif crop that can be used to replenish the nitrogen content of the soil.
Answer – Babu can grow leguminous crops like peas or soybeans between two cereal crops to replenish the nitrogen content of the soil. For Rabi crops, wheat can be planted, and for Kharif crops, pulses like gram can be used.
- If rice is sown in the month of November, how is the produce likely to be impacted? And why?
Answer – If rice is sown in November, the produce is likely to be impacted negatively because rice is a Kharif crop, which requires a warm, rainy season for proper growth. November is outside the typical sowing season for rice, leading to insufficient sunlight, water, and ideal growing conditions, thus reducing the yield.
- What are crumbs? Why should they be broken?
Answer – Crumbs are the large pieces of soil formed during ploughing. They should be broken to create a finer, smoother soil surface which helps in better seed germination, water retention, and uniform root growth.
- Define the term ‘transplantation’? List any two advantages it offers to the farmer.
Answer – Transplantation is the process of growing seedlings in a nursery and then moving them to the main field. Two advantages it offers to the farmer are:
It allows the farmer to select only the healthiest plants for transplantation.
It ensures uniform growth and better management of sunlight, water, and nutrients.
E. Answer the following questions.
- State the advantages of ploughing the soil. State the different ways through which it is done.
Answer – Advantages of ploughing:
Ploughing helps in loosening and aerating the soil, which allows roots to penetrate more easily.
It helps in removing weeds and crop residues.
Ploughing improves water retention and drainage, and ensures better nutrient absorption by plants.
Different ways of ploughing:
Traditional ploughing using a wooden or iron plough pulled by animals.
Modern ploughing using a tractor-driven plough or a disc plough for deeper soil cultivation.
- Both manures and fertilisers replenish soil fertility. Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of using them.
Answer – Manures
Advantages: Natural, improve soil structure, enhance microbial activity, add organic matter, eco-friendly.
Disadvantages: Slow release of nutrients, bulky, difficult to transport, requires a long decomposition process.
Fertilisers
Advantages: Quick and concentrated nutrient supply, easy to transport and apply, boosts crop yield rapidly.
Disadvantages: Overuse can harm the soil and environment, do not improve soil structure, expensive.
- Explain how weeds are harmful for plants. State the different ways of weed removal practiced by farmers.
Answer – Weeds are harmful to plants because they compete with crops for nutrients, water, sunlight, and space. They can also harbour pests and diseases that can affect the crops.
Methods of weed removal:
Manual weeding using tools like hoes or by hand.
Mechanical weeding using machines like weeders or cultivators.
Chemical weeding by applying herbicides.
Mulching to block weed growth by covering the soil with a layer of organic or inorganic material.
- Give reasons for the following:
(a) Excess water supply can damage crops.
Answer – Excess water leads to waterlogging, which can suffocate plant roots by reducing oxygen supply, cause root rot, and prevent the absorption of nutrients, thus damaging the crops.
(b) Grains are not stored without sun-drying.
Answer – Grains need to be sun-dried to reduce their moisture content, which helps in preventing fungal growth and spoilage. High moisture content can cause grains to rot or become infested with pests.
(c) Overuse of pesticides should be avoided.
Answer – Overuse of pesticides can lead to the development of pesticide-resistant pests, harm beneficial insects like pollinators, contaminate the environment, and pose health risks to humans and animals.
- Bhola’s field is ready with a mature wheat crop. List and explain the steps he would have to undertake before selling the grains to the FCI (Food Corporation of India).
Answer – Harvesting: Bhola should cut the mature wheat plants at the right time to avoid loss of grain.
Threshing: The harvested plants need to be threshed to separate the grains from the stalks.
Cleaning: Grains should be cleaned to remove any dust, dirt, or other impurities.
Drying: Grains must be sun-dried to reduce moisture content to the required level (usually 12-14%).
Storage: After drying, the grains should be stored in proper containers, preferably in silos, to prevent damage from pests.
Quality Inspection: The FCI will inspect the quality of the grains before purchasing them, checking for moisture content, cleanliness, and quality.
- Define hybridisation. List the steps to be followed for obtaining seeds of a hybrid variety.
Answer – Hybridisation is the process of crossing two different varieties of plants to produce a hybrid variety that has desirable traits from both parent plants, such as increased yield, disease resistance, or better adaptability.
Steps for obtaining hybrid seeds:
Selection of parent plants: Choose two plants with desirable traits for crossing.
Cross-pollination: The pollen from one parent plant is transferred to the flower of the other parent plant.
Collection of seeds: After fertilization, seeds are collected from the hybrid plants produced.
Seed multiplication: The hybrid seeds are grown and harvested to obtain the hybrid variety for agricultural use.
Value Based Question
The biology teacher was quick to observe the careless and time-wasting attitude of some of her students. She explained to them the need and importance of proper management of time and all other resources in our life. She then told them about the steps that are taken to properly manage the crops after they have ‘grown up’. The students realised the importance of her advice through this interesting comparison.
- State the values conveyed by the Biology teacher to her students.
Answer – The values conveyed by the Biology teacher include:
Time Management: The teacher emphasized the importance of managing time wisely to avoid wasting it.
Resource Management: She highlighted how managing resources (such as crops in the example) efficiently leads to better outcomes.
Responsibility: Students were taught to take responsibility for their own actions, work hard, and avoid procrastination.
Planning and Preparation: The teacher demonstrated the importance of planning and preparing in advance, just as crops require proper care after they have grown.
- Name the steps taken to manage the crops after they have ‘grown up’.
Answer – The steps taken to manage crops after they have grown up include:
Harvesting: Cutting the mature crops at the right time.
Threshing: Separating the grains from the harvested plants.
Cleaning: Removing dust, dirt, and other impurities from the grains.
Drying: Sun-drying the grains to reduce moisture content.
Storage: Properly storing the grains in suitable conditions to avoid spoilage and pest damage.
Packing: Packing the grains for transport to markets or storage facilities.
- Let the students plan a ‘play’, highlighting the importance of proper management : of time/our resources, in our life.
Answer – In the play, the students can portray the following scenario:
Characters: A student (representing time management), a crop (representing resources), and a teacher.
Plot:
The student neglects the crop (resources) by procrastinating and not taking care of it, leading to poor growth and wastage.
The teacher enters and explains how time and resources must be used wisely.
The student then learns the importance of timely action and planning.
The crop begins to thrive when the student manages time well and takes proper care.
The play can end with the student successfully harvesting and using the crop, demonstrating the benefits of good management.
Message: The importance of managing time and resources properly to achieve success and avoid waste.
Something To Do
- Visit a field, or a park and collect (using protective gloves) around five types of weeds.
Answer – To complete this task:
Go to a local park or field with gloves for protection.
Look for common weeds such as dandelions, clover, grass, thistles, and bindweed.
Collect samples of these weeds carefully.
Note down their characteristics like leaf shape, stem type, and growth habits.
- Make a list of Kharif and Rabi crops which are grown in your area Find n„. if there are any silos in your city.
Answer – Kharif Crops: In my area, typical Kharif crops include rice, maize, cotton, and millet, which are planted at the onset of the monsoon and harvested before winter.
Rabi Crops: Common Rabi crops include wheat, barley, mustard, and peas, grown in the winter season after the monsoon.
Silos: I will check local agriculture facilities or online resources to see if there are any silos in my city, as they are used for storing grains like wheat and rice.
- Frogs play an important role in the biological control of insects in the agricultural fields. The decrease in population of frogs results in the increase of the population of insects. Try to find out the role of lizards, owls and bats in the biological control of pests.
Answer – Lizards: Lizards, especially geckos, consume many pests like flies, mosquitoes, and beetles that can damage crops.
Owls: Owls are excellent nocturnal hunters that eat rodents like rats and mice, which often damage stored grains and crops.
Bats: Bats feed on insects, particularly nocturnal pests like moths and mosquitoes. They are very helpful in controlling insect populations without harming the crops.
- Find out about “Organic Farming”. Learn about the activities involved, and the characteristics of plants grown, in ‘organic farming’.
Answer – Organic Farming: Organic farming avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Instead, it uses natural methods like crop rotation, composting, and biological pest control.
Activities Involved: Planting cover crops, using organic fertilizers like compost or manure, mulching, and natural pest control methods.
Characteristics of Plants: Plants grown organically tend to be more resilient to pests and diseases, and they may have a higher nutritional content. These plants grow in healthy soil, free from chemical residues.
- Visit a nearby farm and observe the various agricultural practices being carried out there. Find out the names and uses of the various machines that are used on the farm.
Answer – Farm Observation: I will visit a nearby farm and observe practices such as ploughing, sowing, irrigating, fertilizing, and harvesting.
Machines Used: Common farm machines include tractors (used for ploughing and tilling), seed drills (for sowing seeds), combine harvesters (for harvesting and threshing), and irrigation pumps (for water supply).
- Try to find out the ‘changes that have come about’ between ‘modern’ and ‘traditional’ farming practices.
Answer – Traditional Farming: In traditional farming, practices like manual ploughing, hand sowing, and the use of organic fertilizers were common. Farmers relied on the monsoon for irrigation and used animal labour for many tasks.
Modern Farming: Modern farming includes the use of advanced machinery (tractors, harvesters), chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. Irrigation is more controlled, and farmers use technologies like drip irrigation and crop monitoring to increase yield.
Additional Questions and Answers -01
Short Questions and Answers
- What is agriculture?
Answer – Agriculture is the practice of cultivating land for growing crops and rearing animals for food, fiber, and other products.
- What are the two main types of crops based on seasons?
Answer – Kharif crops (grown in the rainy season, e.g., paddy, maize).
Rabi crops (grown in winter, e.g., wheat, mustard).
- Why is ploughing important in agriculture?
Answer – Ploughing loosens the soil, improves air circulation, enhances water retention, and helps in weed removal.
- What is transplantation?
Answer – Transplantation is the process of transferring seedlings from a nursery to the main field for better growth (e.g., paddy, tomato).
- How do leguminous plants help in soil replenishment?
Answer – They have root nodules with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium), which convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrates for plants.
- What is the difference between manure and fertilizers?
Answer – Manure is organic (from animal/plant waste) and improves soil fertility.
Fertilizers are chemical-based and provide specific nutrients (N, P, K).
- Name two modern irrigation methods.
Answer – Sprinkler system (sprays water like rain).
Drip irrigation (water drops directly near roots).
- What are weeds? How are they removed?
Answer – Weeds are unwanted plants competing with crops. They are removed by:
Manual weeding (khurpi).
Weedicides (chemicals).
Ploughing before sowing.
- What is harvesting?
Answer – Harvesting is the cutting and gathering of mature crops (e.g., using sickles or combine harvesters).
- Why are grains dried before storage?
Answer – Drying reduces moisture, preventing microbial growth and spoilage.
- What was the Green Revolution?
Answer – The Green Revolution (1960s) introduced high-yielding crop varieties (e.g., Mexican wheat) to increase food production in India.
- What are GM crops?
Answer – Genetically Modified crops have altered DNA for better pest resistance, yield, or shelf life (e.g., Bt cotton).
Long Questions and Answers
- Explain the steps involved in agricultural practices.
Answer – Soil Preparation: Ploughing and leveling the field for better aeration and water retention.
Sowing: Planting seeds manually (broadcasting) or using seed drills. Some crops (paddy) are transplanted.
Soil Replenishment: Adding manure/fertilizers or practicing crop rotation (e.g., legumes for nitrogen).
Irrigation: Supplying water via wells, canals, or modern methods (drip/sprinkler).
Crop Protection: Removing weeds (weeding/pesticides) and pests (biological/chemical control).
Harvesting: Cutting mature crops (sickle/combine harvester) and separating grains (threshing/winnowing).
Storage: Drying grains and storing in silos/granaries to prevent spoilage.
- Compare traditional and modern irrigation methods.
Answer –
Traditional Methods | Modern Methods |
Use cattle/human labor (e.g., pulley, lever). | Use pumps and pipelines. |
Uneven water distribution. | Efficient water use (e.g., drip irrigation). |
High water wastage. | Minimal wastage (targeted watering). |
Cheap but labor-intensive. | Costly initially but saves water long-term. |
Examples:
Traditional: Wells, canals.
Modern: Sprinklers (for uneven land), drip systems (water-scarce areas).
- How does crop rotation improve soil fertility?
Answer – Nutrient Balance: Different crops use different nutrients (e.g., cereals deplete nitrogen; legumes replenish it).
Prevents Soil Exhaustion: Alternating crops avoids continuous depletion of specific nutrients.
Weed/Pest Control: Changing crops disrupts weed/pest life cycles.
Example: Wheat (N-consuming) → Peas (N-fixing) → Wheat.
- Discuss the importance of storage in agriculture.
Answer – Prevents Spoilage: Drying grains reduces moisture, inhibiting mold/insects.
Long-Term Supply: Proper storage (silos, cold storages) ensures food availability year-round.
Economic Value: Reduces post-harvest losses, benefiting farmers and consumers.
Methods:
Granaries: For grains (protected from rats).
Cold Storage: For perishables (fruits, vegetables).
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of using fertilizers?
Answer – Advantages:
Quick nutrient supply (soluble in water).
Increases crop yield significantly.
Easy to store/transport.
Disadvantages:
Overuse degrades soil quality (makes it acidic/less fertile).
Chemical runoff pollutes water bodies.
Harmful if ingested via food (pesticide residue).
Alternative: Use organic manure or vermicompost for sustainable farming.
- Explain hybridisation in crop improvement.
Answer – Process: Cross-breeding two plant varieties (A & B) to combine desired traits (e.g., high yield + pest resistance).
Steps:
Remove anthers from plant A (emasculation).
Dust pollen from plant B onto A’s stigma.
Cover with a bag to prevent unwanted pollination.
Result: Hybrid seeds (e.g., IR8 rice) with improved qualities.
Example: Crossing drought-resistant and high-yield wheat varieties.
Additional Questions and Answers – 02
Short Questions and Answers
Question – What is crop rotation?
Answer – Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops in a specific order on the same land to maintain soil fertility and control pests.
Question – Why is irrigation necessary for crops?
Answer – Irrigation is necessary to provide water to crops, especially in areas where rainfall is insufficient, ensuring proper growth and high yields.
Question – What is the role of manure in farming?
Answer – Manure is used to enrich the soil by providing essential nutrients, improving soil structure, and increasing its water-holding capacity.
Question – Name two common methods of sowing seeds.
Answer – Broadcasting and drilling are common methods of sowing seeds.
Question – What is the importance of tilling the soil?
Answer – Tilling the soil helps to break up compacted soil, improve aeration, and mix nutrients, which supports healthy root growth.
Question – Define the term ‘weeding.’
Answer – Weeding is the process of removing unwanted plants (weeds) from the field to reduce competition for nutrients, water, and light.
Question – What is threshing?
Answer – Threshing is the process of separating the edible part of the crop (like grains) from the husk or straw after harvesting.
Question – What is the function of a harvester?
Answer – A harvester is a machine used to cut, thresh, and sometimes clean crops like wheat and rice in the fields.
Question – Why is crop diversification important?
Answer – Crop diversification reduces the risk of crop failure due to pests, diseases, or bad weather, and it helps to maintain soil health.
Question – What are the different types of irrigation systems?
Answer – Common types of irrigation include drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and flood irrigation.
Long Questions and Answers
Question – Describe the process of ‘harvesting’ and the steps involved in it.
Answer – Harvesting is the final step in crop production, where the mature crop is collected from the field. The process involves:
Cutting or picking the crop: Depending on the crop, manual labor or machines like harvesters are used.
Threshing: This is done to separate the edible part of the crop (like grain) from the inedible parts (like straw or husk).
Cleaning and drying: The harvested grain is cleaned to remove dirt and foreign materials. Sun-drying is usually done to reduce moisture content, which helps in storage.
Storage: The grains are stored in containers or silos to protect them from pests and environmental damage. Proper storage ensures the grains remain usable for long periods.
Question – What are the different methods of pest control used in farming? Explain them briefly.
Answer – There are several methods of pest control used in farming:
Chemical control: Pesticides are used to kill or repel harmful insects and other pests. However, overuse can lead to resistance in pests.
Biological control: This involves using natural predators or parasites to control pests. For example, ladybugs control aphids, and frogs control insect populations.
Cultural control: This involves changing farming practices, such as crop rotation, to make the environment less favorable for pests.
Mechanical control: This includes physically removing pests from crops or using barriers like nets to prevent pest access.
Organic control: Using organic methods, such as neem oil or garlic extract, to naturally deter pests without using chemicals.
Question – Explain the importance of fertilizers and their types.
Answer – Fertilizers are substances that provide essential nutrients to plants to enhance their growth and yield. They are important because they replenish the soil with nutrients that might have been depleted during the previous crop cycle.
There are two main types of fertilizers:
Organic fertilizers: These are derived from natural sources, like compost, manure, and plant residues. They improve soil structure, promote microbial activity, and add essential nutrients slowly.
Inorganic (chemical) fertilizers: These are synthetic or mined and provide nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in concentrated forms. They offer a quick release of nutrients but can lead to soil degradation if used excessively.
Question – What is the role of a tractor in modern farming?
Answer – A tractor is a powerful, versatile machine that plays a significant role in modern farming. It is used for various purposes, such as:
Ploughing: Breaking the soil to prepare it for sowing seeds.
Tilling: Mixing the soil to improve aeration and nutrient availability.
Hauling: Transporting goods like fertilizers, harvested crops, and equipment.
Sowing and planting: Tractors can be equipped with seed drills or planters to sow seeds efficiently.
Spraying pesticides and fertilizers: Tractors can also be fitted with sprayers to apply fertilizers and pesticides to large areas of crops quickly.
Tractors increase efficiency, reduce labor costs, and help with the timely completion of agricultural tasks.
Question – Discuss the differences between ‘Rabi’ and ‘Kharif’ crops, with examples.
Answer – Rabi crops and Kharif crops are two categories of crops based on their sowing and harvesting seasons in India.
Rabi Crops:
Sown in the winter season, typically from October to December.
Harvested in the spring, from March to April.
Examples: Wheat, barley, mustard, peas, and gram.
Rabi crops require cooler temperatures for growth and are dependent on irrigation if there is insufficient rainfall.
Kharif Crops:
Sown in the monsoon season, from June to July.
Harvested in the autumn, from September to October.
Examples: Rice, maize, cotton, sugarcane, and groundnut.
Kharif crops require high rainfall and warm temperatures for optimum growth.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
What is the main purpose of ploughing the soil?
- A) To protect crops from pests
- B) To improve soil aeration and mix organic matter
- C) To sow seeds
- D) To harvest crops
Answer – B) To improve soil aeration and mix organic matter
Which of the following is a Kharif crop?
- A) Wheat
- B) Rice
- C) Barley
- D) Gram
Answer – B) Rice
What is the process of removing weeds from the field called?
- A) Threshing
- B) Tilling
- C) Weeding
- D) Harvesting
Answer – C) Weeding
Which of the following is a method of irrigation?
- A) Broadcasting
- B) Drip irrigation
- C) Ploughing
- D) Harvesting
Answer – B) Drip irrigation
Which of the following is used for sowing seeds?
- A) Tractor
- B) Seed drill
- C) Combine harvester
- D) Thresher
Answer – B) Seed drill
Which of the following is a primary benefit of crop rotation?
- A) Decreases the soil fertility
- B) Controls pests and improves soil health
- C) Increases the cost of farming
- D) Reduces crop yields
Answer – B) Controls pests and improves soil health
Which type of fertilizer is derived from natural sources like compost or manure?
- A) Chemical fertilizer
- B) Organic fertilizer
- C) Synthetic fertilizer
- D) None of the above
Answer – B) Organic fertilizer
Which machine is used to harvest crops like wheat and rice?
- A) Thresher
- B) Plough
- C) Harvester
- D) Seed drill
Answer – C) Harvester
Which of the following is a benefit of using manure in agriculture?
- A) It provides nutrients and improves soil structure
- B) It harms the environment
- C) It leads to water pollution
- D) It increases the cost of farming
Answer – A) It provides nutrients and improves soil structure
What is the main purpose of the use of pesticides in farming?
- A) To improve soil fertility
- B) To control pests and insects
- C) To enhance crop growth
- D) To harvest crops quickly
Answer – B) To control pests and insects
True/False Questions
Ploughing is done to loosen the soil and mix organic matter.
Answer – True
Kharif crops are sown in the winter season.
Answer – False (Kharif crops are sown in the monsoon season.)
Manure is a synthetic substance used to provide nutrients to crops.
Answer – False (Manure is organic, not synthetic.)
The process of separating edible parts from the inedible parts of the crop is called threshing.
Answer – True
Chemical fertilizers are made from natural sources.
Answer – False (Chemical fertilizers are synthetic.)
Irrigation helps in providing water to crops in regions where rainfall is insufficient.
Answer – True
Crop rotation helps in controlling pests and improving soil health.
Answer – True
Harvesting is the process of sowing seeds in the soil.
Answer – False (Harvesting is the collection of mature crops, not sowing.)
Weeding is the practice of removing unwanted plants from the field.
Answer – True
A combine is used to both sow and harvest crops.
Answer – True