Agriculture

17. AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURE

points to remember :

1. Many plants grow naturally from seeds. When fruits dry, they

burst open and the seeds are carried away. Seeds are dispersed

by wind, water and animals. They are scattered here and there.

Under favourable conditions, the seeds take root and grow. Seeds

of banyan and peepul are dispersed through bird droppings.

2. Seeds take roots if they land on fertile soil. Rainwater helps in

their growth. Plants thus get nurtured by nature itself.

3. Man observed this natural process and started the cultivation of

crops. Man cleared the forests and made agricultural land.

Man studied plants and developed the science of agriculture as

he needed food for himself.

4. Agriculture for food crops :

(1) Staple cereal foods : Rice, Wheat, Jowar, Bajra, Maize,

Ragi.

(2) Pulses : Bengal gram, (Chana), Green gram (Moong),

Black gram (Udid), Tur or Arhar, Lentil (Masoor), Moth

beans (Matki).

(3) Oilseeds : Groundnuts, Sesame (til), Sunflower, Safflower

(kardai), Linseed (Jawas) and Soya bean.

(4) Vegetables : Cluster beans (Gavar), Tomato, Brinjals,

Snake gourd (Padval), Bitter gourd (Karle).

(5) Leafy vegetables : Chakwat, Fenugreek (Methi), Country

sorrel (Chuka), Colocasia (Alu).

(6) Fruits : Mangoes, Guavas, Chickoos, Jackfruits, Oranges,

Pomegranates, Bananas.

(7) Flowers : Tuberoses, Roses, Marigolds, Chrysanthemums

and certain foreign varieties of flowers.

(8) Medicinal plants : Serpentina, Gulvel, Asparagus.

(9) Plants grown for fibres to make yarn : Jute, Hemp,

Cotton.

(10) Plants grown for alternative fuels : Raanbhendi, Parrot

tree, Jatropha.

5. Floriculture is started on a commercial scale for growing

flowers. Greenhouses and nurseries are used for floriculture.

6. Teak, Eucalyptus and Subabhul are the trees planted to increase

the vegetation cover.

7. Agricultural practices : Preparation of soil, use of good seeds

and fertilizers, protection of crop and storing the produce are

called farm work or agricultural practices.

8. Traditional and modern methods of agriculture :

Traditional farming methods are used on small farms, while the

modern methods of farming are used on the commercial scale.

9. Steps in farming :

(1) Tilling the land : Tilling is an important stage in the

process of agriculture. In this, there are three stages :

pre-sowing, sowing and post-sowing.

(2) Pre-sowing stage : Land is ploughed and harrowed. The

hard soil gets loosened due to digging. Soil also gets turned

up and becomes more friable and suitable for growth of

crops. Ploughing also aerates the soil and increases water

percolation.

(3) The sowing stage : In this stage, arranging the soil, sowing

the seeds and transplanting the seedlings are done.

(4) Arranging the soil : For arranging the soil, plough or

harrow is used.

Work involved during this stage is cutting furrows,

building ridges and making beds.

(5) Sowing : Sowing is done in various ways. Seeds may be

scattered on the field or poked into soil or prepared seedlings

are transplanted. Seed bed is made by piling soft soil on the

ground. Furrows made in soil are used for planting, e.g.

sugarcane. Sometimes seeds are sown on ridges, e.g. lady’s

fingers are grown on ridges, while, whole leafy vegetables

are grown in beds.

 (6) Post-sowing : Post-sowing activities include thinning the

crop, loosening the soil, weeding, watering and adding

fertilizers, spraying pesticides, etc.

(7) Thinning the crops : Reducing some plants by pulling

them out is called thinning. It prevents overcrowding of

the plants.

(8) Loosening the soil and weeding : For loosening the soil

and weeding a sickle is used. Loosening of soil helps in its

aeration.

(9) Watering and adding fertilizers : Watering crop at

regular intervals and providing fertilizers in appropriate

proportion is necessary for the growth of the plants.

Overuse of water or fertilizers is harmful to the plants.

(10) Spraying pesticides : For the protection of the crop

against parasites and insects, germicides, fungicides and

pesticides are sprayed.

(i) Preventive measures : Spraying pesticides in order

to prevent the attack by pests.

(ii) Curative measures : Spraying insecticides on

crops which have been affected by insects or germs or fungi.

Unnecessary spraying is harmful for the land and the

crops.

(11) Harvesting, threshing and storing :

● Harvesting : After the crops are ripe, they are cut and

brought to the threshing floor, cobs of jowar, bajra,

maize or ears of rice or wheat are brought for threshing

after they are harvested.

● Threshing : Freeing the grains from cobs or ears is

known as threshing. Threshing is done either with the

help of bullocks or by a threshing machine.

● Winnowing : Separating husk, chaff and other rubbish

from grains is called winnowing.

● Storage : To keep grain in good condition for a long

period of time, they are stored after drying them completely.

● Protection of the grains : Grains are protected against

insects, fungi and microorganisms. Neem leaves, chemicals,

etc. are used to protect grains while storing.

10. Agricultural implements and tools : Animals like bullocks,

oxen, horses and camels are used for agricultural work. Several

special implements and tools are used for the agricultural

practices.

Agricultural Implements Functions

(1) Plough

(2) Wooden board

(3) Seed drills

(4) Pickaxe

(5) Spade

(6) Scythe

(7) Pump

Ploughing

Making the ploughing field even

Sowing

Digging the ground

Pulling and spreading soil

Harvesting the crops

Spraying pesticides

11. Care of implements : Agricultural implements come in

contact with mud and water all the time. Therefore, care should

be taken to clean, dry and oil them regularly. Their blades need

to be sharpened. They are stored in dry places and protected

against rusting and termite attacks

.

12. Tissue culture : Tissue culture is a technique by which living

cells or groups of cells of plants or animals are grown

artificially in laboratories. By tissue culture reproduction can

be done in micro forms. A solid growth medium or a viscous

broth is used to grow the cells. Some varieties of banana,

medicinal plants and those plants and animals which are under

threat of extinction are grown by the technique of tissue

culture.

Questions and Answers

Q. 1 Answer the following questions :

(1) How did man learn to cultivate crops ?

Ans. (1) Man observed the nature and started the cultivation

of crops. (2) He began to cultivate crops when he came to know that

crops provide the necessary food. (3) In the beginning he cleared

the forests to make the fields for agriculture. (4) To fulfill his needs

he started growing crops which were useful to him. (5) He also

studied the plants and developed the science of agriculture.

(6) Gradually he maximized the produce obtained from land.

(2) How does nature nurture the plants ?

Ans. (1) Many plants grow naturally. (2) Fruits growing on

trees, burst naturally as they dry. Their seeds are dispersed either

by wind, water or by animals. Sometimes the seeds are scattered

by themselves. (3) Under favourable conditions, the seeds start

germinating and grow into new plants. (4) Remains of dead

animals, dry leaves and droppings of animals all get buried under

the layers of soil and this is converted into natural organic manure.

(5) Seeds grow easily in such fertile soil and plant growth

flourishes here. (6) Rainwater helps the growth further by watering

such plants. In this way, nature nurtures the plants.

* (3) Besides using plants for food, in which other ways do

we make use of plants ?

Ans. Uses of plants for man, other than food :

(1) Demand for flowers is increasing. Floriculture is gaining

importance among the farmers. Tuberoses, roses, marigolds,

Chrysanthemums and some foreign varieties of flowers are being

grown. Thus for getting flowers plants are used. (2) Plants like

Serpentina, gulvel, Asparagus, etc. have medicinal properties. They

are grown for medicines which can be extracted from them.

(3) Jute, hemp, and cotton are grown for their fibres to make yarn.

(4) Raanbhendi, parrot tree, Jatropha, etc. are some of the plants

which are used in energy farming. From these plants biofuels are

obtained. Since the traditional fuels are becoming lesser and lesser,

cultivation of such plants is becoming useful for man.

* (4) Write the three stages of tilling the land in the proper

order.

Ans. The three stages of tilling the land are as follows :

(1) Pre-sowing stage : In pre-sowing stage, land is ploughed

and harrowed.

(2) Sowing stage : The sowing stage includes arranging the

soil, sowing the seeds and planting the saplings.

(3) Post-sowing stage : The post-sowing stage includes

thinning the crop, loosening the soil, weeding, watering, adding

fertilizers and spraying the pesticides. These activities should be

done at the right time.

* (5) What are the advantages of the pre-sowing tilling

activities ?

Ans. (1) In pre-sowing stage the land is ploughed and

harrowed. (2) During ploughing the hard soil is dug up to a certain

depth. For the benefit of crops, the soil is loosened. Due to this the

turning up of the soil takes place. (3) Soil becomes friable and

suitable for the growth of the crop. The stubble and roots of

previous plants can be removed by ploughing. (4) Soil gets evened

due to which sowing can be done in a better way. (5) Germs and

insects in the soil get exposed to sunlight and are thus killed.

(6) Aeration of the soil takes place and therefore the roots of plants

grow deeper and stronger. (7) Water holding capacity of soil

improves due to better seepage of water in loose soil. All these

advantages are due to pre-sowing tilling activities.

* (6) What are the activities at the post-sowing stage of

tilling ?

Ans. In post-sowing stage of tilling the following activities

are undertaken :

(1) Thinning the crop : Some plants are pulled out to reduce

the number and prevent overcrowding. This helps the standing

plants to get adequate water and fertilizers.

(2) Loosening the soil and weeding : Loosening the soil and

weeding are done with the help of a sickle. Loosening aerates the soil.

(3) Watering and adding fertilizers : Watering is done by

chanelling or by drip or sprinkle irrigation. Fertilizers are also

added in the proper quantities.

(4) Spraying pesticides : Pesticides are sprayed to prevent the

plants from getting affected by fungi, insects, etc. or to cure them of

the disease they have acquired.

(7) Which activities are included in the sowing stage ?

Ans. During the sowing stage the following activities are

included :

(1) Arranging the soil – Soil may be arranged by cutting

furrows, building ridges and making soil beds. (2) Sowing the

seeds. (3) Transplanting the seedlings.

* (8) What is the method used for sowing each of the

following crops ?

Wheat, rice, sugar cane, pumpkin, jowar, cotton.

Ans. Different types of crops are sown in a specific manner

suitable for each type :

(1) Wheat, rice and jowar are cereal crops. The seeds of wheat

and jowar are scattered on the ground or poked into the soil. These

seeds grow into seedlings. (2) In case of rice the seedlings are

allowed to grow for some time on a seed bed. Then they are

transplanted. (3) Sugar cane is planted in furrows made in the soil.

(4) The seeds of cotton and the seeds of pumpkin are sown by

poking them into the soil one by one.

* (9) How many methods are there for sowing seeds ?

Ans. Methods of sowing seeds are as follows :

(1) Scattering : In this method the seeds are scattered over

the soil.

(2) Transplantation : In this method the little grown

seedlings are again transplanted to grow further. This

transplantation is done on seed beds which are made by piling soft

soil on the ground.

(3) Poking : In this method, the seeds are poked into the soil,

one by one.

How are water and fertilizers provided to the crops

at the post-sowing stage ?

Ans. (1) The growing crops need sufficient water. Therefore

water is provided at definite intervals of time. (2) Traditional

method of irrigation was to supply water to the crops by

channelling. However, this method causes wastage of water. (3) By

the modern methods of irrigation, i.e. drip and sprinkle irrigation

water is provided to the growing crops. (4) Fertilizers are added to

the soil in the amounts which are suitable for the particular crop.

(5) Advice of experts regarding the dose of the fertilizers is sought.

(6) Overuse of water and fertilizers can be harmful for the plants.

When and how is harvesting and threshing of the

crops done?

Ans. (1) Harvesting of the crop is done at the appropriate time

when the crops become ripe. (2) In harvesting the produce such as

cobs of maize or ears of wheat and rice is cut and removed from the

field. (3) For threshing it is brought to the threshing floors.

(4) Bullocks or a threshing machine is used for threshing the crops.

(5) Grains are freed from cobs or ears after threshing.

Why is winnowing done after threshing the grains ?

Ans. (1) After threshing the grains are mixed with husks,

chaff or rubbish. (2) Though the grains are freed from their cobs or

ears, this inedible portion needs to be removed. (3) By winnowing

all this unwanted matter is separated. (4) Therefore, for cleaning

the produce, winnowing is done.

Name the different types of agricultural implements

and state their uses.

Ans. Following implements and tools are used in agriculture :

(1) Plough : Plough is used for ploughing.

(2) Wooden board : This board is used for making the

ploughed farm surface even.

(3) Seed drill : There are different types of seed drills such as

tiphan, pabhar and mogada. These are used in actual sowing of the

seeds.

(4) Pickaxe : Pickaxe is used for digging the farm lands.

(5) Spade : Spade is used for pulling and spreading the soil in

the farm.

(6) Scythe : This is a cutting device used during harvesting.

 (7) Spraying pump : This pump is used for spraying

pesticides and other medicines for protecting the crops.

\

Which ingredients are used to make herbal tea ?

Ans. While making herbal tea, cinnamon, ginger,

coriander seeds, black pepper, basil (tulsi) leaves, etc. are

added along with lemon grass.

Name five trees that grow in the wild (without

being deliberately planted).

Ans. Banyan, Peepul, Jamun tree, Neem, Berries of

various kinds, etc. are the trees that grow in the wild.

What is meant by irrigated land ?

Ans. When farming is not dependent on rain but watering

is done through canals, wells or by sprinkle or drip irrigation,

the land is called irrigated land.

State the steps involved in tilling the land ?

Ans. Ploughing, harrowing, arranging soil, sowing,

transplanting the seedlings, thinning, weeding, watering,

providing fertilizers, spraying pesticides, harvesting,

threshing, winnowing and lastly storing the grains are the

sequential steps involved in farming. Of these, pre-sowing,

sowing and post-sowing are the steps involved in the tilling of

the land.

Name the disease that affects the wheat crop.

Ans. Rust disease.

Name the three types of pesticides sprayed on the

crop.

Ans. Crops may be sprayed with germicides, insecticides

and fungicides.

* Name any three insecticides you know of.

Ans. Gammaxane powder, rogor and endrine are some

insecticides.

How are mangoes picked from a tree ?

Ans. A special pouch-like bag prepared for picking up

mangoes from the tree is called zela. This pouch has a curved

knife at the mouth. The mango is delicately cut off from its

stalk and it falls in zela. If the tree is not tall, the mangoes can

be hand-picked.

Name two hybrid strains of jowar.

Ans. ‘Vasant’ and ‘Swati’ are the names of hybrid strains

of jowar.

2 Write short notes on the following :

(1) Storage of the grains

(2) Care of agricultural

implements *

 (3) Hybridization

(4) Tissue culture.

Ans. (1) Storage of the grains : (1) After harvesting the

crop, it is brought to the threshing floor. (2) With the help of

bullocks or threshing machines, the crop is threshed in order to free

the grain from the cobs and ears. (3) The grain thus obtained has to

be properly stored to keep it in good edible condition for a long

period of time. For safer storage the grains are completely dried.

(4) For the storage, large metal bins or cement concrete bins are

used. (5) Field mice and rats cannot enter into such bins. These

bins are kept in dry places. (6) If grains are stored in damp and

moist places, they are damaged due to microorganisms, insects and

fungi. (7) Care is thus taken to keep grains in well protected

condition. Neem leaves and other chemicals are used while storing

the grains which prevent the damage caused to the grains by ants,

beetles and weevils.

(2) Care of agricultural implements :

 (1) For agriculture,

many tools and implements are required. (2) Plough, wooden

board, seed drills, like tiphan, pabhar and mogada, spade, scythe,

sickle, pickaxe, etc. are some of the implements which are used.

(3) These implements come in contact with mud and water at all

times. (4) Since most of these implements are made up of iron, they

face the danger of rusting. (5) These implements are constantly

needed so they are taken care of. (6) They should be cleaned

properly after the use. (7) They should be amply and regularly

oiled. (8) Their blades should be sharpened from time to time.

 (9) By storing these implements in damp places, they get rusted and

attacked by termites so they should be stored in a dry place.

(10) Rusting or termite infestation shorten the life of the

implements. Therefore, proper care of the implements has to be

taken.

(3) Hybridization :

 (1) During the process of hybridization,

two different strains of organisms are cross bred. (2) These two

strains should be of the same species. (3) Such cross breeding

experiments are done by agriculture scientists. (4) In foreign

countries plants called tangerine and pomelo were cross bred and a

new variety of fruit giving tree, tangelo was produced. (5) By doing

cross breeding, the new varieties that are produced have better

genetic constitution, better crop characteristics and enhanced

disease resistance. (6) Botanists and agriculturists are trying to

cross more and more varieties and find out new and better hybrid

varieties.

(4) Tissue culture :

 (1) Tissue means group of cells while

tissue culture means growing such groups of cells in the laboratory,

outside the animal or plant body. (2) It is a reproduction in a micro

or small form. (3) For growing the tissues a nutrient medium which

is either solid or a viscous broth is used. (4) Some medicinal plants

and bananas are grown by tissue culture methods. (5) Some plant

and animal species face the danger of extinction. (6) These species

are conserved by tissue culture. Their number can be increased by

such measures. (7) By tissue culture new cells of healthy organism

can be produced under the supervision of scientists. (8) When

means of pollination is not available, tissue culture method helps to

produce a plant like the original one.

Q. 3 Distinguish between the following :

* (1) Thinning and weeding.

Ans. Thinning Weeding

1. Thinning is done to prevent

overcrowding of the plants.

The number of plants is

reduced by pulling out some

of these crop plants.

1. During weeding, the weeds

growing among the crops are

removed. The soil around the

roots of crops is thus aerated.

17. AGRICULTURE 225

2. Thinning helps the crop to get

adequate supply of water and

fertilizer.

2. Weeding loosens the soil

around the crop and hence

aerates it.

3. Thinning is the first process

done during post-sowing

stage of farming.

3. Weeding is the second

process done after thinning

in the post-sowing stage of

farming.

* (2) Preventive spraying of the chemicals and Curative

spraying of the chemicals.

Ans. Preventive spraying

of the chemicals

Curative spraying of

the chemicals

1. In preventive measures, the

pesticides are sprayed to

prevent the crop from being

attacked by pests such as

insects, germs or fungi.

1. In curative measures, the

pesticides are sprayed after

the crops have been affected

by pests such as insects,

germs or fungi.

2. Preventive measures are

taken before the infestations

by the pests on the crops.

2. Curative measures are taken

after the infestations by the

pest on the crops.

Q. 4 Give scientific reasons :

How deep the land should be ploughed depends upon

the specific conditions.

Ans. (1) When the field is ploughed, the layers of soil are

turned up. During ploughing, the upper hard soil is dug up till a

specific depth. This makes the soil to become loose. (2) Ploughing

makes the soil friable and suitable for growing crops. The stubble,

roots of previous crops and the weeds become loosened. (3) When

ploughing is to be done all these aspects are taken into

consideration. (4) The nature of field is studied and the crop which

is to be sown is also considered. (5) In order to have more

production of crops, the depth to which ploughing is done is then

decided.

Roots of plants sown in well ploughed soil grow

stronger and deeper.

Ans. (1) By ploughing, the soil gets turned up. Due to this the

germs and insects inhabiting the soil are exposed to the air and

sunlight. They are then eventually killed. (2) Ploughing also

aerates the soil due to which air can enter the deeper layers. (3) Due

to availability of air the roots of plants become stronger and can

penetrate deeper. (4) Thus, roots of the plants sown in well

ploughed soil grow stronger and deeper.

* (3) The importance of a sickle cannot be judged from its

small size.

Ans. (1) Sickle is used for weeding. The weeds are pulled out

and removed. (2) This makes the soil loose and roots of the crop

plants then get enough air for growth. (3) Crops grow vigorously

due to weeding. (4) Sickle is used during harvesting too. (5) Since

sickle is smaller in size but very useful for farmers in their farming

operations. Therefore it is said that the importance of sickle cannot

be judged from its small size.

* (4) Farming implements should be stored in dry places.

Ans. (1) Many farming implements are constantly needed to

do farm work. (2) They are made up of iron and their handles are

made up of wood. (3) They come in contact with mud and water all

the time. Therefore there is a danger of these implements getting

rusted. (4) If the implements are kept in damp and moist places

they become useless. (5) The wood of their handles may also be

attacked by termites. (6) By rusting and by termite attacks the life

of these tools and implements is shortened. (7) The farming

implements, therefore, should be properly cared or stored in dry places.

(5) Plants like Raanbhendi, parrot tree and subabhul are

now being grown.

Ans. (1) Plants like Raanbhendi, parrot tree and subabhul are

used to make alternative biofuels. (2) Since the traditional sources

of energy are fast depleting, man has to search for such alternatives.

The rising demand of fuels can be satisfied by such biofuels.

(3) Thus now energy farming is done by planting such trees.

(4) Plants like Raanbhendi, parrot tree and subabhul, therefore, are

now being grown.

(6) Care must be taken while spraying the chemicals on

the crops.

Ans. (1) Pests of the crops such as different insects, germs and

fungi destroy crops. (2) Therefore, in order to reduce losses in crop

production spraying of pesticides should be done. (3) But if they are

sprayed more than necessary they cause harmful effects on land.

(4) The land turns into infertile patch over a period of time due to

harsh chemical pesticides. (5) Thus to avoid such soil pollution,

care must be taken while spraying the chemicals on the crops.

(7) Grains should be stored in dry places.

Ans. (1) If grains are stored in damp place, there is a greater

chance that they may get infested by insects, microorganisms or

fungi. (2) This makes the grains inedible. (3) They cannot be stored

for longer period. (4) Therefore to avoid this, grains should be

stored in dry places.

Q. 5 Answer the following questions in one sentence

each :

(1) When do seeds germinate and become a tree ?

Ans. When seeds get favourable conditions, they take root and

grow into a tree.

(2) How did man learn to cultivate crops ?

Ans. Man observed nature and learnt to cultivate crops.

(3) What did man do to maximize the produce of the land ?

Ans. To maximize the produce of the land, man studied the

plants and developed the science of agriculture.

(4) Which plants are grown for medicinal purposes?

Ans. Serpentina, Gulvel and Asparagus are grown for

medicinal purposes.

(5) Which plants are grown as alternative sources of fuel ?

Ans. Raanbhendi, parrot tree and Jatropha are grown as

alternative sources of fuel.

(6) Which trees are consciously planted in view of large

scale cutting of trees ?

Ans. Teak, Subabhul and Eucalyptus are the trees which are

consciously planted in view of large scale cutting of trees.

(7) What improves the capacity of the soil to hold water ?

Ans. Soil loosened by ploughing prevents water from flowing

away from the surface and helps it to percolate inside, thus

improving the capacity of the soil to hold water.

(8) What work is involved in arranging the soil ?

Ans. Soil is arranged by cutting furrows, building ridges and

making seed beds.

 (9) How are crops like rice sown?

Ans. Crops like rice are sown by transplanting seedlings.

(10) Which are the modern methods of irrigation that save

water?

Ans. Drip and sprinkle irrigation are the modern methods of

irrigation that save water.

Q. 6 Find the odd man out and give reasons :

(1) Bajra, Tur, Maize, Ragi.

(2) Rice, Wheat, Jowar, Moth beans.

(3) Safflower, Tuberose, Rose, Marigold.

(4) Brinjal, Serpentina, Gulvel, Asparagus.

(5) Jute, Hemp, Cotton, Marigold.

(6) Groundnuts, Sesame, Safflower, Chickoo.

(7) Guava, Fenugreek, Jackfruit, Pomegranate.

(8) Snake gourd, Chakwat, Country Sorrel, Colocasia.

(9) Brinjal, Tomato, Bitter gourd, Colocasia.

(10) Subabhul, Raanbhendi, Parrot tree, Jatropha.

(11) Teak, Snake gourd, Eucalyptus, Subabhul.

(12) Ploughing, Thinning, Weeding, Spraying pesticides.

(13) Harvesting, Sowing, Threshing, Storage.

(14) Bullock, Camel, Dog, Horse.

(15) Weevils, Ants, Butterflies, Beetles.

Ans. (1) Tur. Others are cereals. (2) Moth beans. Others are

cereals. (3) Safflower. Edible oil is extracted from safflower seeds,

others are just flowers. (4) Brinjal. Others are medicinal plants.

(5) Marigold. Others are fibre yielding plants. (6) Chickoo. Others

are plants yielding oilseeds. (7) Fenugreek. Others are fruits.

(8) Snake gourd. Others are green leafy vegetables. (9) Colocasia.

Others are fruit vegetables, Colocasia is a leafy vegetable.

(10) Subabhul. Others are plants used in energy farming.

(11) Snake gourd. Others are trees used in plantation

programmes. (12) Ploughing. Others are the activities of postsowing

stage. (13) Sowing. Others are steps taken after the crops

are ready. (14) Dog. Others are animals used in farming.

(15) Butterflies. Others are insect pests of the stored grains.

Q. 7 Considering the correlation between the words of

the first pair, match the third word with the most appropriate

answer :

(1) Serpentina : Medicinal plant : : Soyabean : ……… .

(2) Ploughing : Pre-sowing stage : : Thinning : ……… .

(3) Pickaxe : Digging : : Scythe : ……….

(4) Jowar : Cobs : : Rice : ……… .

(5) Grown on ridges : Lady’s finger : : Grown in seed

beds : ……… .

Ans. (1) Oilseed (2) Post-sowing stage (3) Harvesting (4) Ears

(5) Leafy vegetables.

Q. 8 State whether the following statements are True or

False. If a statement is false, correct it and rewrite :

(1) In nature many plants grow naturally.

(2) Seeds of banyan and peepul are dispersed through wind.

(3) When plants are grown on small scale, they are first grown

in nurseries.

(4) Loosening of soil troubles the crops in many ways.

(5) Teak, subabhul and eucalyptus are consciously planted

trees.

(6) When the land is ploughed deep, the soil is turned up.

(7) Because of ploughing the fruits grow stronger and deeper.

(8) Seeds of some varieties of plants are sown by poking them

into the soil one by one.

(9) Fertilizers added to the soil in abundant quantity increases

its fertility.

(10) When the crop is ripe, it is harvested at the right time.

(11) Rusting and termites lengthen the life of the agricultural

tools.

(12) Tissue culture means growth and reproduction in a ‘macro’

form.

Ans. (1) True. (2) False. Seeds of banyan and peepul are

dispersed through droppings of birds. (3) False. When plants are

grown commercially, they are first grown in nurseries. (4) False.

Loosening of soil helps the crops in many ways. (5) True. (6) True.

(7) False. Because of ploughing the roots grow stronger and deeper.

 (8) True. (9) False. Fertilizers added to the soil in abundant

quantity decreases its fertility. (10) True. (11) False. Rusting and

termites shortens the life of the agricultural tools. (12) False.

Tissue culture means reproduction in a ‘micro’ form.

Q. 9 Fill in the blanks :

1. (1) Seeds are ……… naturally in wild.

(2) Plants are nurtured by ……… itself.

(3) Man cleared the ……… to make place for his own use.

(4) As the demand for flowers has grown, ……… has gained

importance.

(5) Serpentina, gulvel are used for ……… purposes.

(6) ……… are used for nurseries and floriculture.

Ans. (1) dispersed (2) nature (3) forest (4) floriculture

(5) medicinal (6) Greenhouses.

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2. (1) In India, agriculture is carried on large scale by ………

method.

(2) ……… of the land is an important stage in the process of

farming.

(3) The ……… is the second step in tilling of the soil.

(4) The plough and ……… are used to arrange the soil.

(5) A ……… is made by piling soft soil on the ground.

(6) The ……… are grown in beds.

Ans. (1) modern (2) Tilling (3) sowing (4) harrow (5) seed bed

(6) leafy vegetables.

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3. (1) In ………, pulling out of the weeds also loosens the soil

around the roots and aerates it.

(2) If the chemicals are sprayed to prevent the crop from being

attacked by insects infected by germs or fungi, it is a ………

measure.

(3) If the spraying is done on a crop that has already been

affected by insects, germs or fungi then it is known as………

measure.

(4) ……… leaves are used to protect grain.

(5) ……… means reproduction in a micro form.

(6) Good care must be taken of tools and ……… used in

agriculture.

Ans. (1) weeding (2) preventive (3) curative (4) Neem

(5) Tissue culture (6) implements.

Q. 10 Choose the correct alternative and complete the

following statements :

(1) In ……… conditions seeds take root and grow into trees.

(a) unfavourable (b) favourable (c) dry (d) adverse

(2) Seeds of trees like the ……… and ……… are dispersed

through the droppings of bird.

(a) rose, Chrysanthemum (b) ashoka, gulmohur

(c) banyan, peepul (d) mango, jackfruit

(3) Man observed ……… and learnt to cultivate crops.

(a) nature (b) ants (c) animals (d) women

(4) White jute, hemp and cotton are grown for their ……… .

(a) fruits (b) fibres (c) flowers (d) seeds

(5) Some plants are grown as ……… sources of energy.

(a) traditional (b) modern (c) alternative (d) organic

(6) Fuel is obtained from wood and the ……… of sugar cane.

(a) juice (b) sugar (c) stem (d) bagasse

(7) In our country agriculture is carried on by ……… methods

on a small scale.

(a) traditional (b) modern (c) commercial (d) advanced

(8) In pre-sowing stage the land is ……… and ………

(a) harvested, threshed (b) watered and weeded

(c) ploughed, harrowed (d) thinned and winnowed

(9) ……… of the soil exposes germs and insects in it.

(a) Stiffening (b) Loosening (c) Hardening (d) Sowing

(10) If soil is loosened, it ……… the capacity of the soil to hold

water.

(a) improves (b) decreases (c) reduces (d) stops

(11) ……… is planted by making furrows made in the soil.

(a) Rice (b) Wheat (c) Sugar cane (d) Leafy vegetables

(12) Seeds of pumpkin, bitter gourd and watermelon are sown by

……… them into the soil.

(a) spreading (b) poking (c) transplanting (d) throwing

(13) After thinning the next step is ……… .

(a) weeding (b) threshing (c) winnowing (d) watering

 (14) Overuse of water or fertilizers is ……… for plants.

(a) useful (b) beneficial (c) harmful (d) harmless

(15) ……… frees the grain from the cobs or ears.

(a) Winnowing (b) Thinning (c) Threshing (d) Weeding

(16) A solid growth medium or ………………is used for growing

the cells or tissue.

(a) viscous broth (b) saline solution

(c) sugar solution (d) acidic medium

Ans. (1) favourable (2) banyan, peepul (3) nature (4) fibres

(5) alternative (6) bagasse (7) traditional (8) ploughed, harrowed

(9) Loosening (10) improves (11) Sugar cane (12) poking

(13) weeding (14) harmful (15) Threshing (16) viscous broth.

* Q. 11 Match the following :

‘A’ ‘B’

(1) Plough

(2) Seed drill

(3) Sickle

(4) Scythe

(a) Sowing

(b) Weeding

(c) Ploughing

(d) Harvesting

Ans. (1) Plough – Ploughing (2) Seed drill – Sowing (3) Sickle –

Harvesting (4) Scythe – Weeding.