When plants of the same kind are grown and

cultivated at one place on a large scale, it is

called a crop. For example, crop of wheat

means that all the plants grown in a field are

that of wheat.

Cropping Pattern

India is a vast country. The climatic conditions like

temperature, humidity and rainfall vary from one

region to another. Accordingly, there is a rich variety

of crops grown in different parts of the country.

Despite this diversity, two broad cropping patterns

can be identified. These are:

1)Kharif Crops

2)Rabi Crops

The crops which are sown in the rainy season

are called kharif crops. The rainy season in

India is generally from June to September.

Paddy, maize, soyabean, groundnut, cotton,

etc., are kharif crops.

These are grown in winter season, generally in October/November and harvested by March/April. Therefore, they are called Winter season crop.

For example- wheat, gram pea and mustard.

ALL LIVING ORGANISMS NEED FOOD TO SURVIVE.THE BRANCH OF SCIENCE THAT DEALS WITH GROWING PLANTS AND RAISING LIVESTOCK FOR HUMAN USE IS CALLED AGRICULTURE.

BASIC PRACTICES OF CROP

PRODUCTION•Cultivation of crops involves several activities

undertaken by farmers over a period of time.

•These activities or tasks are referred to as

agricultural practices. These activities are listed

below.

(i) Preparation of soil

(ii) Sowing

(iii) Adding manure and fertilisers

(iv) Irrigation

(v) weeds

(vi) Harvesting

(vii) Storage

(i) TURNING AND LOOSENING OF SOIL

•This allows the roots to penetrate deep into the soil. The

loose soil allows the roots to breathe easily even when they

go deep into the soil.

•The loosened soil helps in the growth of earthworms and microbes

present in the soil. These organisms are friends of the farmer since they

further turn and loosen the soil and add humus to it.

•Turning and loosening of soil brings the nutrient-rich soil to

the top so that plants can use these nutrients.

The process of loosening and turning of the soil is called

tilling or ploughing. This is done by using a plough. Ploughs

are made of wood or iron.

•The ploughed field may have big pieces of soil called

crumbs. It is necessary to break these crumbs with a

plank.

Advantages OF PLOUGHING

Lo0se soil contains a lot of air spaces in it. This allows roots to breathe easily. Loose soils allows the roots penetrate deep into the soil. Thus, the plant is fixed to the soil

firmly. Ploughing uproots the undesirable plants (weeds) and kills them. Loose soil mixes uniformly with manures and fertilizers. Loose soils helps in the growth of earthworm and

microbes present there. Earthworms helps to turn and loosen the soil. Earthworms and microbes helps in adding humus (dead organic matter) to the soil. These organisms are, therefore, the friends of farmer.

Agricultural Implements

PLOUGHCULTIVATOR

Sowing of seeds Once the soil is prepared, seeds are sown in it. The

process of putting the seeds in the soil is called sowing.

Most of the crops like wheat, bajra, jowar, oats and mustard are grown by sowing seeds .selection of good quality and healthy seed is very important before sowing them.

TOOLS USED FOR SOWING SEEDS

Traditional tool : The tool

used traditionally for

sowing seeds is shaped

like a funnel.

Seed drill : Nowadays the seed drill is

used for sowing with the help of

tractors. This tool sows the seeds

uniformly at proper distances and

depths. It ensures that seeds get

covered by the soil after sowing. This

prevents damage caused by birds

TRADITIONAL TOOL

SEED DRILL

Methods of sowing of seeds

By scattering the seeds in the

field by hand (manual sowing

): This method is called

Broadcasting. This is used in

case of wheat. Seeds sown by

this method are unevenly

distributed in the field.

By using seed drills: seeds can

also be sown by using a simple

implement called a seed drill.

seeds sown with a seed drill are:

(i)evenly distributed with proper

distance, and (ii) reach the right

depth. A seed drill consists of 5-

6 long vertical pipes with a

funnel at the top. The drill is

attached to a plough. It may be

driven by bullocks or by a

tractor.

Points to be kept in mind while sowing

seed

Seed should be of good quality and healthy.

They should be sown at correct depth in the soil. The correct depth varies from crops to crops. If sown deep in the soil, roots will not be able to respire. If sown on the surface, birds may damage the seeds.

Seed should sown at proper distance from each other to prevent overcrowding of plants. This allows plants to get enough water, nutrients and sunlight.

Seeds not sown directly in the soil.

Transplanting Transferring of

seedling from a nursery to a field is called transplanting. Like in case of rice and many vegetables such as tomato, onion and brinjal, seeds are sown in a small area called a nursery and then transfer to field.

Application of Manure and

Fertilizers

Manure

A Natural substance

obtained by the

decomposition of plants

and animals(leaves,

straws, cattle dung,

urineZ0).

Prepared in the fields.

Provide a lot of humus to

the soil.

No pollution is caused.

ADVANTAGES OF MANURE

Advantages of Manure : The organic manure

is considered better than

fertilisers. This is because:-

• It enhances the water holding capacity of the

soil.

• It makes the soil porous due to which

exchange of gases becomes easy.

• It increases the number of friendly

microbes.

• It improves the texture of the soil.

Fertilizers

• A chemical substance.

• Prepared in factories.

• Does not contain any

humus.

• Cause water pollution.

IRRIGATION

•The supply of water to crops at different intervals is called irrigation.•The time and frequency of irrigation varies from crop to crop, soil to soil and season to season.•Water is absorbed by the plant roots. Along with water, minerals and fertilisers are also absorbed. Plants contain nearly 90% water.

The sources of irrigation are— wells,

tube wells, ponds, lakes, rivers, dams

and canals.

• TRADITIONAL METHOD OF

IRRIGATION:-

DHEKLI CHAIN PUMP

RAHATMOAT

(a) Sprinkler System: The

perpendicular pipes, having rotating nozzles on top, are joined to the main pipeline at regular intervals and water is allowed to flow through the main pipe under pressure with the help of a pump, it escapes from the rotating nozzles. It gets sprinkled on the crop as if it is raining. Sprinkler is very useful for sandy soil. SPRINKLER SYSTEM

(b) Drip system :In this system, the water falls drop by

drop just at the position of the roots. So it is called drip system. It is the best technique for watering fruit plants, gardens and trees. The system provides water to plants drop by drop. Water is not wasted at all.

Weeds

Weeds are unwanted and uncultivated plants that grow along with the crop plants. Some examples of common weeds are :amaranthus(chaulai),chenopodium(bathua)and wild oat (javi).

Weeds reduce crop yield, as they compete with the crops for water , minerals and sunlight. So ,it is necessary to remove them from the fields from time to time. The removal of weeds from a field calledweeding.

REMOVAL OF WEEDS

• Tilling before sowing of crops helps in uprooting and killing of weeds, which may then dry up and get mixed with the soil.

• Weeds are also controlled by using certain chemicals, called weedicides, like 2,4-D. These are sprayed in the fields to kill the weeds. They do not damage the crops.

SPRAYING OF WEEDICIDES

Harvesting

The process of cutting and gathering of

crops is called harvesting. For example,

for Rabi crops (like wheat)harvesting is

done March/April. In case of paddy (a

Kharif crop), harvesting is done in

September/October.

(i) THRESHING

In the harvested crop, the grain

seeds need to be separated from

the chaff. This process is called

threshing. This is carried out with

the help of a machine called

‘combine’ which is in fact a

combined harvester and thresher

THRESHER

(ii) WINNOWING

Farmers with small holdings of

land do the separation of grain and

chaff by winnowing. It is done with

the help of winnowing machine.

WINNOWING MACHINE

(iii) HARVEST FESTIVALS

Special festivals associated with

the harvest season are Pongal,

Baisakhi, Holi, Diwali, Nabanya

and Bihu.

Storage

STORAGE OF GRAINS IN GRANARIES

SILOS FOR STORAGE OF GRAINS

• Storage of produce is an important task. If the crop

grains are to be kept for longer time, they should be

safe from moisture, insects, rats and microorganisms.

• Before storing them, the grains are properly dried in

the sun to reduce the moisture in them. This prevents

the attack by insect pests, bacteria and fungi.

• Dried neem leaves are used for storing food grains at

home.

• For storing large quantities of grains in big godowns,

specific chemical treatments are required to protect

them from pests and microorganisms.

• However, large scale storage of grains is done in

silos and granaries to protect them from pests like rats

and insects.