CHAPTER – 1 CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT - REVISION NOTES

CHAPTER – 1 CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

REVISION NOTES

Crop: When plants of the same kind are grown and cultivated at one place on a large scale, it is called a crop.

➢ In India, crops can be broadly categorized into two types based on seasons - Rabi and Kharif crops.

➢ Sowing of seeds at appropriate depths and distances gives good yield. Good varieties of seeds are sown after selection of healthy seeds. Sowing is done by seed drills.

➢ Soil needs replenishment and enrichment through the use of organic manure and fertilizers. Use of chemical fertilizers has increased tremendously with the introduction of new crop varieties.

➢ The main tools used for tilling or ploughing are – Plough, Hoe, Cultivator

Basic practices of crop production:

(i) Preparation of Soil: One of the most important tasks in agriculture is to turn the soil and loosen it. The process of loosening and turning of the soil is called tilling or ploughing.

(ii) Sowing: Sowing of seeds at appropriate depths and distances gives good yield. Good variety of seeds is sown after selection of healthy seeds. Sowing is done by seed drills.

(iii) Adding Manure and Fertilizers: Soil needs replenishment and enrichment through the use of organic manure and fertilizers. Use of chemical fertilizers has increased tremendously with the introduction of new crop varieties. Fertilizer: The inorganic compounds containing nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. They are made in the factories. Example: Urea, ammonium sulphate, potash, etc. Manure: A natural substance prepared from decomposition of plant and animal wastes (cow dung, animal bones, dead leaves, dead insects and vegetable wastes) by the action of microbes.

(iv) Irrigation: Supply of water to crops at appropriate intervals is called irrigation. Method of Irrigation: 

(a) Tradition methods of Irrigation: Moat, Chain pump, Dheki, Rahat. 

(b) Modern methods of Irrigation: Sprinkler system, Drip system.

(v) Protection from Weeds: Weeding involves removal of unwanted and uncultivated plants called weeds.

(vi) Harvesting: Harvesting is the cutting of the mature crop manually or by machines.

(vii) Storage: Proper storage of grains is necessary to protect them from pests and microorganisms. Harvested food grains normally contain more moisture than required for storage. Large scale of storage of grains is done in silos and granaries to protect them from pest like rats and insects. Farmers store grains in jute bags or metallic bins.

➢ Food is also obtained from animals for which animals are reared. This is called animal husbandry.

Advantages of manure – the organic manure is considered better than fertilizers because-

1. It enhances the water holding capacity of the soil

2. It makes the soli porous due to which exchange of gases becomes easy.

3. It increases the number of friendly microbes

4. It improves the texture of the soil.

Traditional methods of irrigation –

1. Moat (pulley system)

2. Chain pump

3. Dhekli

4. Rahat (lever system)

Modern methods of irrigation –

1. Sprinkler system

2. Drip system

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