Write a paragraph in your own words on each of the following :-
a). Preparation of soil
b). showing
c). weeding
d). Threshing
Answers
(a) Preparation of soil
Preparation of soil is the first step before growing of crop. It helps to turn the soil and loosen it to allow the roots to penetrate deep into it. The loosening of the soil helps in the growth of several soil microbes, earthworms etc., which enrich the soil with humus and other essential nutrients. The process of turning and loosening is called ploughing. This is done using a plough, hoe and cultivators.
(b) Sowing
Sowing is the process of putting the seeds into the soil for growing crops. We need to use quality seeds for sowing. Sowing is done manually using mechanical equipment like Seed Drill. Seeds of few plants like rice are first grown in a separate area and then transplanted in the fields.
(c) Weeding
In a field many other undesirable plants may grow along with the crop. These undesirable plants are called weeds. Farmers use many ways to remove weeds. Methods to control weeds are: tilling before sowing of crops, physical removal of weeds by uprooting or cutting them close to the ground, using certain chemicals called weedicides etc.
(d) Threshing
Threshing is the process of separating grains or seeds from chaff. It is done after harvesting the crop. It is usually carried out with the help of a machine known as ‘Combine’. This machine is a combined harvester and thresher. It harvests plants as well as cleans grains.
Answer:
a) Preparation of the soil is the first step in agriculture. Preparation of the soil is done to loosen the soil, which is essential for the root penetration into the soil. This allows the roots to breathe easily. Loosening of the soil allows the growth of earthworms and microorganisms, which will help to keep the soil fertile by adding humus to the soil. Loosening of soil also brings nutrient-rich soil to the top layer, which is essential for the growth of plants.
b) Sowing is an important process in crop production. First, healthy seeds are selected before sowing. After selecting healthy seeds sowing is done by either traditional methods or by using equipment’s seed drill.
c) Removal of unnecessary plants from the field is called weeding. Weeds compete with crop plants for nutrients and water. This will reduce the yield of the desired crops. Weeds also interfere while harvesting and gets mixed with crops. Some weeds are poisonous to animals and humans. Tilling is a common method which helps removal of weeds before sowing crops, manual methods like physical removal of plants are used to remove weeds. Weedicides are sprayed to get rid of weeds, but this method may affect the health of farmers because of chemicals used as weedicides.
d) Process of separating the chaff from the crop is known as threshing. Threshing is carried by a machine called ‘combine’ which is a harvester as well as a thresher. Threshing is also done by winnowing where to blow of wind is used to separate the chaff from crops.