prepare a small report on the importance of seed selection, methods of irrigation, harvesting and storage of any one crop of your choice.
Answers
Answer:
Facts that Matter
• Agriculture: The applied branch of biology which deals with cultivation of plants and rearing of animals is called agriculture. Generally, the art or practice of cultivating land is referred as agriculture. The branch of agriculture which deals with food, health and management of animals is known as animal husbandry.
• Crop: When plants of the same kind are grown and cultivated at one place on a large scale is called as a crop.
• Crops are also classified on the basis of the seasons as given below:
▸ Kharif Crops: The crops which are grown during the monsoon (rainy) season (June-September) are called kharif crops. For example, maize, millet (bajra) and cotton crops. Seeds of these crops are sown in the beginning of the monsoon season. After maturation, these crops are harvested at the end of the monsoon season (Oct.-Nov.).
▸ Rabi Crops: Crops which are grown during the winter season (October-March) are called rabi crops. For example, wheat, gram and mustard. Seeds of these crops are sown in the beginning of the winter season. After maturation of crops, they are harvested at the end of the winter season (April-May).
• Agricultural Practices: All activities which farmers do for the cultivation of plants are called agricultural practices.
For doing various activities, a farmer needs different types of tools. These tools which are involved in cultivation of plants are called agricultural implements. Farmers perform agricultural practices in a sequence.
• Various Agricultural Practices:
(i) Preparation of soil
(ii) Sowing
(iii) Adding manure and fertilizers
(iv) Irrigation
(v) Protection from weeds
(vi) Harvesting
(vii) Storage.
• Agricultural Implements:
▸ Plough
▸ Hoe
▸ Cultivator
▸ Seed drill
• Implements used for traditional ways of Irrigation:
▸(a) Moat (b) Dhekli
(c) Rahat
(d) Chain pump and
(e) Motor pumps
• Basic Practices of Crop Production
▸ Preparation of Soil: Before sowing the crop seeds, the soil of fields is loosened and overturned.
This process is called ploughing or tilling. Ploughing causes ventilation of soil and makes it suitable for the growth of small organisms living in it.
▸ Plough: A large farming implement with one or more blades fixed in a frame, used to turn over and cut furrows in soil, is called plough. Plough may be made of only wood, wood and iron, and of iron only.
▸ Ploughshare: The main cutting blade of a plough.
▸ Hoe: A tool which is used for removing weeds and for loosening the soil.
▸ Cultivator: Nowadays ploughing is done by a tractor driven cultivator. The use of cultivator saves labour and time .
▸ Sowing of Seeds: For sowing, farmers obtain certified seeds from State Agriculture Department and Seed Corporation. Sometimes, farmers also select seeds from their own crop. For selection of seeds of most of the crops, seeds are put into a bucket of water. The seeds which float on water are rejected. These seeds are defective. The seeds which remain submerged in water are selected for