Food Resources

Question 1:

Distinguish between micronutrients and macronutrients. Give suitable

examples.

ANSWER:

Macronutrients
They are required in large
quantities by the plant.
In plants, the concentration
of each macronutrient is
more than 1 mg/gm of dry
matter.
They are involved in building
plant body and various
protoplasmic structures.
Examples: Nitrogen,
phosphorous, and
magnesium.
Micronutrients
They are required in small
quantities by the plant.
In plants, the concentration
of each micronutrient is
less than 1 mg/gm of dry
matter.
They are required in traces
for synthesising new
compounds.
Examples: Iron,
manganese, and chlorine.

Question 2:

Classify nutrients according to their sources.

ANSWER:

Nutrients are classified into three groups according to their sources.

Source Nutrients
1. Air Carbon (C) and oxygen (O)
2. Water Hydrogen (H)
Nitogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K),
calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S),
3. Soil iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), zinc
(Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and
chlorine (Cl)
Question 3:

How plants get nutrients ?

ANSWER:

Plants get nutrients from air, water, and soil.

From these 16 essential elements, carbon and oxygen are obtained from air
and hydrogen from water. Remaining 13 are supplied by the soil.

Question 4:

Name three most important nutrients required for plant growth.

ANSWER:

The three most important nutrients required for plant growth are nitrogen,
phosphorous, and potassium.

Question 5:

Choose plant's micronutrients and macronutrients from the following

Iron, Chlorine, Sulphur, Copper, Nitrogen, Calcium, Manganese, Potassium,

Zinc, Magnesium, Molybdenum, Phosphorus.
ANSWER:

Micronutrients: Iron, chlorine, copper, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum.

Macronutrients: Sulphur, nitrogen, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and
phosphorous.

Question 6:

What are advantages of using manure ?

ANSWER:

Advantages of using manure are as follows:

1. It enriches the soil with nutrients, thereby decreasing the general
deficiency of nutrients in the soil.
2. It adds humus to the soil. Humus restores the soil texture, improves the
soil's water retention capacity, and causes soil aeration.
3. It provides food for the soil organisms, which help in providing nutrients
to plants.

Question 7:

Give two limitations of using manure.

ANSWER:

 Limitations of using manure are as follows:

1. Manures have a low nutrient content and are very bulky. Hence, they are
inconvenient to handle, store, and transport.
2. Manures are not nutrient-specific. Hence, they are not much useful when
a particular nutrient is required in the soil for a particular crop.

Question 8:

Compare the use of manures and fertilizers in maintaining soil fertility.

ANSWER:

Manure Fertiliser
It is a natural substance that is It is a man-made
obtained by the decomposition of substance. It is an
animal wastes (gobar) and plant inorganic salt or an
residues. organic compound.
It adds organic matter in the form It adds minerals to
of humus to the soil. the soil.
It is insoluble in water and nutrients It is soluble in water
exist locked inside the organic and hence it's
 compounds of humus. Hence,
readily absorbed by
nutrients present in manure are
the crop plants.
absorbed slowly by the crop plants.

Question 9:

Write down two advantages of fertilizer over manure.

ANSWER:

The advantages of fertiliser over manure are as follows:

1. Fertiliser is very rich in plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and
potassium, whereas manure has a low nutrient content.
2. Fertiliser is soluble in water and hence readily absorbed by the crop
plants, whereas nutrients in manure are absorbed very slowly as nutrients
exist locked inside the organic compounds of humus.

Question 10:

During the downpour in a village, the rain water carried away excess of
nitrogenous and other compounds present in the soil to a pond. How will
they affect the growth of algae and phytoplankton in the pond ?

ANSWER:

A sudden increase in the nitrogen and other soil compounds in the pond will
lead to an increase in the population of algae and phytoplanktons (bloom of
algae or bloom of phytoplanktons) as they nitrify very quickly and multiply.
This will, eventually, alter the population of other organisms present in the
pond.

Question 11:

Explain the term eutrophication with suitable example.

ANSWER:

Eutrophication refers to alteration in the life of aquatic ecosystem due to

increase in the concentration of certain organic compounds such as nitrates
and phosphates. This generally occurs when fertilisers from a field are
washed off by rainwater or irrigation to nearby ponds or rivers.
Example: Sudden increase in the population of algae or phytoplanktons in
water body due to increase in the level of nutrients in water.

Question 12:

How does chemical nature of the soil change due to continued use of
chemical fertilizers ?

ANSWER:

Use of chemical fertilisers improve soil fertility for a short duration of time.
Continued use of chemical fertilisers cause environmental hazards and lead
to the destruction of soil fertility. The increased use of chemical fertilisers
cause death of soil microorganisms by making the soil toxic for them.
Excessive fertilisers added to the soil end up in the nearby water bodies and
increase the nutrient content of the water. This leads to algal bloom.

Question 13:

Explain various methods of fertilizer application.

ANSWER:

Fertilisers should be applied scientifically, in terms of proper dose, time, and

pre- and post-application precautions for their complete utilisation.
Different methods of fertiliser application include:
1. Broadcasting: Uniform distribution of the fertiliser over the whole cropped
field.
2. Placement: Application of fertiliser in bands or in pockets near the plants
or plant rows.
3. Foliar application: Using low- or high-volume sprayers, fertilisers are
sprayed covering the plants.

Question 14:

Distinguish between farmyard manure and compost manure.

ANSWER:

Farmyard Manure Compost Manure

It is the decomposed
mixture of cattle excreta,
urine, litter, and leftover
organic matter (roughage
or fodder).
It contains about 0.5%
nitrogen,
0.2% phosphorus
pentaoxide, and
0.5% potassium monoxide.
It is prepared from farm and
town refuse such as
vegetable and animal
refuse, faecal matter, and
sewage waste.
It contains about 1.4%
nitrogen,
1.0% phosphorous
pentaoxide,
and 1.4% potassium
monoxide.

Question 15:

Define manure. What are different manures and how do they affect the soil ?

ANSWER:

Manures are natural fertilisers. They are the source of organic matter that
supply nutrients in small quantities.
There are three types of manure:
1. Farmyard manure (FYM).
2. Compost.
3. Green manure.
Manure enriches the soil with nutrients and adds organic matter (humus) to
the soil. Humus improves the soil texture for better water retention and soil
aeration.
Question 16:

What is green manuring ? Give suitable examples for green manures.

ANSWER:

Green manuring is a practice of ploughing and mixing of green crops in the

soil for improving the physical structure as well as the fertility of the soil.
Green manures are generally thick growing leguminous and non-leguminous
plants.
Examples of green manures: Horse gram (Dolichos uniflorus), cowpea or
lobia (Vigna sinensis), and lentil or masoor (Lens culinaris).

Question 17:

What are fertilizers ? Classify fertilizers.

ANSWER:

Fertilisers are organic or inorganic materials that are mixed in the soil to
provide plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Fertilisers supply
nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK).
Fertilisers are classified into four groups:
1. Nitrogenous fertilisers: They contain nitrogen as the major nutrient.
2. Phosphatic fertilisers: They contain phosphate or phosphorus as the major
nutrient.
3. Potassic fertilisers: They contain potassium as the major nutrient.
4. Complex fertilisers: They contain a combination of multiple nutrients.

Question 18:

Give a short account of biofertilizers.

ANSWER:
Organisms that increase the nutrient content of the soil are called as bio-
fertilisers. They are nitrogen-fixing microorganisms used for specific crop
plants such as pulses, legumes, oil seeds, and rice. They can play a
supplementary role in supplying nitrogen to specific crops under specific soil
conditions. They do not pollute and can be renewed.
Example: Rhizobium is a bio-fertiliser used by farmers who grow pulses,
legumes, etc.

Question 19:

Explain why a legume crop does not require nitrogenous fertilizers ?

ANSWER:

Legume crop does not require nitrogenous fertilisers because Rhizobium, a

bio-fertiliser, lives in symbiotic association with the roots of leguminous
plants. It fixes the atmospheric nitrogen and makes it available to the crop
plants. Hence, the nitrogen requirement of the plant is fulfilled.

Question 20:

Why is irrigation essential ?

ANSWER:

Irrigation of crop plants is mainly essential in drought-prone areas. To meet

the water requirements of the crop plants, water is supplied to them via
canals, wells, reservoirs, tube wells, etc. Irrigation also allows the cultivation
of crops throughout the year instead of during rainy season only.

Question 21:

How does excessive irrigation lead to soil salinity ?

ANSWER:
Excessive irrigation leads to soil salinity as it causes water logging. The
evaporation of excess water concentrates salt at the soil surface. This causes
an increase in the soil salinity. The crops die as the roots of the crop plants
have limited access to oxygen and increased salinity.

Question 22:

Mention three effects of excessive irrigation.

ANSWER:

Effects of excessive irrigation are as follows:

1. It causes water logging.
2. It increases soil salinity.
3. It causes the death of crop plants by limiting the amount of oxygen
available to the roots of the plants.

Question 23:

Why water should be used judiciously ?

ANSWER:

Water should be used judiciously because if water is supplied in more than

adequate amount, it may harm the growth of the crop plants. If there is less
water supply, then the seeds of crop plants will not germinate. Also, if water
is supplied in excess, it will cause water logging and soil salinity that will
ultimately lead to the death of crop plants by limiting the soil aeration.

Question 24:

Explain advantages of irrigation.

ANSWER:
Advantages of irrigation are as follows:
1. It provides freshwater to the crop plants.
2. It provides moisture for the germination of seeds.
3. It is essential for the growth and elongation of the roots of the crop
plants.
4. It is essential for the absorption of nutrient elements by the crop plants
from the soil.

Question 25:

Explain, how efficiency of irrigation can be increased.

ANSWER:

Efficiency of irrigation can be increased by adopting the following measures:

1. Adopting modern methods of irrigation such as drip or sprinkler systems.
2. Time of irrigation is important. Some crops require water before
ploughing, at the time of flowering, and at the time of development of the
grain. 
3. Amount of water supplied should be appropriate. Some crop plants
require more water, while others need less.
4. Type of soil also determines the efficiency of irrigation. Crops grown in
sandy soil needs irrigation more frequently, whereas the crops grown in
clayey soil needs less irrigation.

Question 26:

Explain the various factors which are responsible for the loss of stored food
grains.

ANSWER:

Following are the two main factors that are responsible for the loss of stored
food grains:
1. Biotic factors: These include insects, rodents, birds, mites, and bacteria.
2. Abiotic factors: These include temperature, moisture, and humidity.
Question 27:

Explain the various preventive measures which are taken before storing the
food grains.

ANSWER:

The various preventive measures that are taken before storing the food
grains are as follows:
1. Drying: The harvested food grains are dried by spreading them over
plastic sheets or on cemented floor.
2. Cleaning: The grains are cleaned properly before their storage. They are
filled in gunny bags before storing in godowns, warehouses, and stores.

Question 28:

Describe how drying of food grains is done.

ANSWER:

Drying of food grains is a vital protective measure before storing them as

food grains contain moisture between 15% and 35%, and for safe storage,
the moisture content should be below 14%.
The harvested food grains are dried by spreading them over plastic sheets or
on cemented floor. Sun-dried food grains are allowed to cool at room
temperature. Commercially, mechanical driers are used for this purpose.

Question 29:

Write down three unique characteristics of storage structure.

ANSWER:

Storage structures used for storing grains on a large scale are called grain
silos. It has following unique features:
1. It is provided with outlets at different levels to withdraw the desired stock
of grains.
2. They have different levels for storing different food items.
3. They have in-built arrangement for aeration, temperature control,
fumigation, and inspection.

Question 30:

Describe the various methods of controlling pests attacking stored grains.

ANSWER:

The following two methods are used to control pest attack on the stored food
grains:
1. Chemical control: The pesticide solution is sprayed over the gunny bags
containing food grains by using a manual sprayer or a mechanical sprayer.
2. Fumigation: Fumigants (pesticides that destroy insects) react with
moisture of the air forming poisonous fumes that kill the pests. This is the
most effective method of destroying insects in stored food grains.

Question 31:

As an incharge of a grain store, how will you find out the presence of pests ?

ANSWER:

The rise in temperature of stored food grains indicates the growth of moulds
and fungi. Ideally, the temperature of the stored food grains lies below 30°C
as insects and microorganisms are less active at lower temperature.
Therefore, one can check the temperature of the grains to see whether or
not pests are present.

Question 32:

How does fumigation differ from spraying ?

ANSWER:
 Fumigation
Fumigants are used in the
form of solid, liquid, or gas.
Fumigants are mixed up
with the food grains.
Example: EDCT (ethylene
dichloride plus carbon
tetrachloride).
Spraying
Pesticides are used in
solution form.
Pesticides are sprayed over
the gunny bags containing
food grains.
Example: BHC (benzene
hexachloride).

Question 33:

'Milk is a very nutritious food'. Use the table given in the book to justify
statement.

ANSWER:

'Milk is a very nutritious food'. It has a high protein content. It is a major

source of vitamins, including B1, B2, B12, D, and  E. The fat content of milk
is appropriate. Hence, it is very important for the growth of the body.

Question 34:

Name four animals which provide us food.

ANSWER:

Four animals that provide us food are:

1. Cow.
2. Fish.
3. Buffalo.
4. Fowl.

Question 35:
Write down the names of animal products which are used as food.

ANSWER:

The following animal products are used as food:

1. Milk: It is obtained from cow, buffalo, and goat.
2. Meat: It is obtained from goat, fowl, buffalo, and fish.
3. Egg: Fowl is the main source of egg.

Question 36:

How does roughage differ from concentrates with reference to cattle feed ?

ANSWER:

Roughage
It is high in fibre
concentration.
Other nutrient contents
are low.
Examples: Legumes, hay,
and green fodder.
Concentrates
It is low in fibre
concentration.
Protein and other nutrient
contents are relatively high.
Examples: Oats, barley,
and gram.

Question 37:

Give an example of average daily feed of a cow.

ANSWER:

An average daily feed of a cow is given below:

1. Green fodder and dry grasses (roughage) = 15–20 kg.
2. Grain mixture (concentrates) = 4–5 kg.
3. Water = 30–35 l.

Question 38:
What are the sources of "concentrates" given in a cattle feed?

ANSWER:

The sources of 'concentrates' given in a cattle feed include cotton seeds, oil
seeds, grains of maize, oats, barley, jowar, gram, and their by-products
such as wheat barn, rice barn, gram husk, oil seed cakes and molasses.

Question 39:

Write down four main characteristics of good cattle shelter.

ANSWER:

Following are the main characteristics of a good cattle shelter:

1. It should be cleaned regularly to avoid any infection to the animals.
2. It should be big enough to accommodate the animals properly.
3. It should have a hygienic method of disposing animal excreta.
4. It should be able to protect the animals from cold, heat, and rain.

Question 40:

Which method will you suggest for improving the cattle breed and why?

ANSWER:

I would suggest the method of artificial insemination for improving the cattle
breed because we can raise animals of desired characteristics through this
method and also it is a more hygienic method of breeding animals. In this
method, rate of successful fertilisation is higher than that of natural breeding
methods.
Question 41:

Write short notes on:

(a) General utility breeds of cow

(b) Breeds of buffalo.

ANSWER:

(a) General utility breeds of cow:

General utility breeds of cow refer to those breeds of cow that are raised for
multiple purposes such as providing milk as well as helping in agricultural
tasks. Some of the following are the general utility breeds:
          (i) Ongole (Andhra Pradesh).
          (ii) Kankrej (Gujarat).
          (iii)Tharparkar (Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh).
(b) Breeds of buffalo:
There are 10 breeds of buffaloes in India that are raised for a higher yield of
milk. Some of these are as follows:

(i) Murrah: Original breed of Haryana and Punjab.

(ii) Mehsana: Breed of Gujarat.
(iii) Surti: A native breed of Kaira and Vadodara district of Gujarat.

Question 42:

Mention four steps involved in artificial insemination.

ANSWER:

Steps of artificial insemination are as follows:

(i) Selection of a healthy and tough animal having high milk yield.
(ii) Collection of semen from the selected animal.
(iii) Preservation of semen by freezing or chemical methods.
(iv) Injecting semen into the genital tract of the female animal during
fertility period.
Question 43:

Define artificial insemination. Write down two advantages of it.

ANSWER:

Artificial insemination is the process of cross-breeding in which semen is

collected from a desired bull of high milk yielding breed and injected into the
genital tract of a female animal during its fertility period.
Advantages of artificial insemination:
1. It helps in raising animals with desirable traits.
2. It is cheaper as semen from a single bull can be used to impregnate
several thousand cows.

Question 44:

Write down four symptoms of sick animals.

ANSWER:

Following are the symptoms of sick animals:

1. Fever with appearance of nodules on skin (in cowpox).
2. Irritation, blisters, and eruptions on the skin surface (in dermatitis).
3. Fever with body swelling and reduced milk secretion (in anthrax).
4. Fever and diarrhoea with blood clots (in salmonellosis).

Question 45:

Write the characteristic symptoms of :

(a) Mastitis

(b) Foot-and-mouth-disease

ANSWER:

(a) Symptoms of mastitis include high fever, swelling of udders, and watery
milk production.
(b) Symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease include appearance of blisters on
mouth and foot causing extreme soreness of these parts, loss of appetite,
increase in secretion of saliva, high fever with shivering, and inability to
work.

Question 46:

How are high yielding breeds of poultry advantageous over indigenous

breeds?

ANSWER:

High yielding breeds have following advantages over indigenous breeds:

(i) They have a higher egg-producing capacity.
(ii) They have high immunity against various diseases.
(iii) They have a better quality of meat.

Question 47:

Mention four advantages of fishery.

ANSWER:

Some of the advantages of fishery are listed below:

1. Increment in fish production with more consistency.
2. Better quality of fish with high protein content and low fat content can be
raised.
3. Requires less area as compared to dairy and poultry farms.
4. Helps to meet the current seafood demands with the addition
of aquaculture stocks in the marketplace.

Question 48:

Write a short note on 'Prevention of poultry diseases'?

ANSWER:
Prevention of poultry diseases:
Poultry fowls suffer from various diseases that are caused by virus, bacteria,
fungi, etc.
These diseases can be prevented by adopting the following methods:
(i) Proper cleaning and sanitation.
(ii) Spraying disinfectants regularly.
(iii) Appropriate vaccination on a regular basis.

Question 49:

Write advantages of bee keeping.

ANSWER:

Some of the advantages of bee-keeping are as follows:

(i) It increases the production of honey.
(ii) Wax collected from the beehives helps in various medicinal preparations.
(iii) They provide propolis and balms that are used in repairing and fastening
of comb.
(iv) Poison of bee is used in manufacturing of Ayurvedic and homeopathic
medicines.

Question 50:

What are the advantages of composite fish culture?

ANSWER:

Advantages of composite fish cultures are listed below:

(i) It is cost-effective as different varieties of fishes are cultured at the same
price.
(ii) It increases the yield of fish in terms of variety.

Question 1:
Write notes on plants and animals as sources of food.

ANSWER:

Plants and animals as sources of food:

We get various food products from plants and animals that are very
important for the growth and maintenance of our body.
Some of the foods that we obtain from plants are given below:
(i) Fruit is one major food obtained from plants.
(ii) Vegetables of various types (roots, stems, and leaves) are obtained from
plants.
(iii) Edible seeds, including cereals, pulses, and nuts are obtained from
plants. These are very high in energy and protein content.
Some of the foods that we obtain from animals are given below:
(i) Milk is a major food obtained from cow and buffalo.
(ii) Egg is obtained from fowl.
(iii) Meat is obtained from fowl, fish, cow, goat, and buffalo.
Plants and animals are raised naturally and artificially to meet the food
requirements of the growing population.

Question 2:

Define green revolution, what are the common objectives of crop

improvement?

ANSWER:

Green revolution refers to an increase in the production of food grains,

especially wheat crops. It has helped India to grow economically.
Main objectives of crop improvement include:
(i) Increase in the yield of crops.
(ii) To improve the quality of food crops.
(iii) To generate crops highly resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
(iv) To develop food crops with desired agronomic traits.
(v) To develop wider adaptability in food crops so that, they can withstand
various environmental conditions.
(vi) To change the duration of maturity of food crops such that they mature
uniformly.
Graphics: draw the figure showing the preparation of compost from
P.S.Verma and V.K.Aggarwal- biology (grade 9) - pg no. 8

Question 3:

What we do get from cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables?

ANSWER:

We get different nutrients from cereals, pulses, fruits, and vegetables that
are very essential for the growth of an individual.
(i) Cereals are a rich source of carbohydrates. They include wheat, rice,
maize, etc.
(ii) Pulses provide large amount of proteins. They include lentil, black gram,
pigeon pea, etc.
(iii) Fruits are a good source of vitamins, minerals, roughage, proteins,
carbohydrates, and fats. They include apple, mango, banana, etc.
(iv) Vegetables are good source of vitamins and minerals. They also provide
roughage, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. They include potato, spinach,
onion, etc.

Question 4:

Explain the objectives of mixed cropping. How are crops selected for mixed
cropping.

ANSWER:

Objective of mixed cropping:

The main objective of mixed cropping is to reduce the risk of crop failure
during environmental stresses.
Following criteria are used while selecting a crop for mixed farming:
(i) Crops that are to be grown together are selected such that the waste
materials and products of one crop facilitates the growth of the other crop.
(ii) Crops that are selected must not compete with each other in terms of
nutrition. This will ensure an optimum production of both the crops.
Question 5:

Distinguish between mixed cropping and intercropping.

ANSWER:

Mixed Cropping Inter-cropping

Its aim is to reduce the risk
of crop failure.
Seeds of the selected crops
are mixed together before
sowing.
Applying fertilisers to each
crop is a tedious job.
Crops are not set in a row
pattern.
Pesticide application is
difficult.
Separate harvesting and
threshing of crops are not
possible.
Its aim is to enhance the
productivity per unit area.
Seeds are not mixed.
Fertilisers can be applied as
per the need of the crops.
Crops are set in proper
rows.
Pesticide application is
easier.
Both crops can be easily
harvested and threshed
separately.

Question 6:

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of mixed cropping.

ANSWER:

Following are the advantages of mixed cropping:

(i) It reduces the risk of crop failure due to environmental stress.
(ii) Pest infestation of crops is greatly reduced.
(iii) It increases soil fertility.
(iv) It increases the yield of both the crops due to complementary effect of
each crop.
Following are the disadvantages of mixed cropping:
(i) Applying fertilisers to individual crops is very difficult.
(ii) Spraying pesticides to individual crops is difficult.
(iii) Harvesting and threshing of crops separately are not possible.

Question 7:

Define intercropping. How does it differ with mixed cropping?

ANSWER:

Intercropping is a method of growing two or more crops simultaneously in a

definite pattern of rows in the same field. Its main aim is to increase the
productivity per unit area. It is an improved version of mixed cropping.
Difference between mixed cropping and intercropping:

Mixed Cropping Intercropping

Its aim is to reduce the risk
of crop failure.
Seeds of the selected crops
are mixed together before
sowing.
Crops are not set in rows
pattern.
Separate harvesting and
threshing of crops are not
possible.
 Its aim is to enhance the
productivity per unit area.
Seeds are not mixed.
Crops are set in proper
rows.
Both crops can be easily
harvested and threshed
separately.

Question 8:

Write down disadvantages of crop rotation.

ANSWER:

Disadvantages of crop rotation are as follows:

(i) It is more concerned about the need of the soil and not of the crops.
(ii) It may lead to lower yield of crops in a specific growing season due to
plantation on un-preferred soil.
Question 9:

Write about three main criteria which should be considered while selecting
the crops for rotation?

ANSWER:

The main criteria for selecting crops for rotation are as follows:
(i) Duration of crops (whether short or long).
(ii) Availability of water via rainfall or irrigation.
(iii) Availability of fertilisers, pesticides, machines, and labour.

Question 10:

Why are leguminous crops desirable in crop rotation?

ANSWER:

Leguminous crops are desirable in crop rotation because they maintain the
supply of nitrogen in the crop fields. These crops are alternated with others
so as to minimise the need of nitrogenous fertilisers. Nitrogen fixers in
leguminous crops fix the atmospheric nitrogen and makes it available to the
crop plants. These are mostly used in the crop fields where nitrogen supply
is less.

Question 11:

Explain various steps in hybridization of crop plants.

ANSWER:

Steps of hybridisation are explained below:

(i) Varieties of plant with desirable characters are selected. These plants are
genetically dissimilar. There are two patterns of selection: mass selection
and pure-line selection.
(ii) Pollens are collected from the male flower by the process of
emasculation.
(iii) Collected pollens are transferred onto the stigma of female flower.
(iv) Stigma containing the pollen grains is bagged to avoid unnecessary
pollination by other pollen grains.

Question 12:

Define plant breeding? Describe the various methods of plant breeding.

ANSWER:

Plant breeding is the process of producing new varieties of plants by artificial

selection. It is a method of improving the genetic make-up of plants.
Following are the various methods of plant breeding:
(i) Hybridisation: It is the crossing between two genetically dissimilar plants
to produce a new variety of plant.
(ii) Recombinant DNA technology: It is the method of transferring genes
from one organism to another to modify the genetic make-up of latter. It
gives rise to transgenic plants.
(iii) Polyploidy: It refers to increasing the chromosome number of a plant
that leads to increase in the plant production.

Question 13:

Describe the biological method of weed control.

ANSWER:

Biological methods of weed control are described below:

(i) Introducing the insects or some other organisms in the field that
specifically consumes and destroys the weed plants.
(ii) Using grass carp (a freshwater fish) to destroy the aquatic weeds.

Question 14:
Classify plant diseases depending upon their occurrence and transmission.

ANSWER:

Depending upon the occurrence and transmission, plant diseases are

classified into four categories:
1. Seed-borne diseases: These diseases spread through seeds. Example:
Leaf spot of rice caused by fungi.
2. Soil-borne diseases: These diseases spread through the soil and usually
affect the roots and stems of the crop plants. Example: Smut of bajra.
3. Air-borne diseases: These diseases spread by air and attack the aerial
parts of the plants. Example: Blast of rice.
4.Water-borne diseases: These diseases are transmitted by water. Example:
Bacterial blight of rice.

Question 15:

Mention three different ways in which insect pests can attack the crop plant.

ANSWER:

Following are the three ways in which an insect pest can attack the crop
plants:
1. Chewing insects: They destroy all kinds of crop plants by cutting root,
stem, and leaf of plants with their chewing mouth parts. Examples: Locusts,
grasshoppers, etc.
2. Sucking insects: They destroy the crop plant by sucking the cell sap from
its various parts. Examples: Aphids, leaf hoppers, etc.
3. Internal feeders: They live inside the parts of plants. These are called
borers (if they live in twigs or roots) or weevils (if they live in fruits and
seeds). Examples: Pod borers and grain weevil.

Question 16:

Explain the methods of controlling insect pests.

ANSWER:
Insect pests can be controlled by adopting the following methods:
(i) Mixing insecticides with the soil helps in controlling root-cutting type of
insects. Example: Chloropyriphos.
(ii) Dusting or spraying the insecticides over the crops helps in getting rid of
stem- and leaf-cutting and boring type of insects. Example: Malathion.
(iii) Spraying systemic insecticides (that enters the plant tissues via roots or
shoots) helps in controlling sap-sucking insects such as aphids. Example:
Dimethoate and metasystox.

Question 17:

Give two examples each of

(a) Narrow leaved rabi season weed.

(b) Broad leaved kharif season weed.

ANSWER:

(a) Examples of narrow-leaved Rabi season weed: Mandoosi (Phalaris) and

wild oat or jungali jaii. 
(b) Examples of broad-leaved Kharif season weed: Chaulii (Amaranthus
viridis) and saathi (Trianth).

Question 18:

Explain various methods of weed control.

ANSWER:

The four methods of weed control are as follows:

1. Mechanical method: These include uprooting, weeding, hand hoeing,
interculture, ploughing, burning, and flooding.
2. Cultural method: These include proper bed preparation, sowing crops
timely, intercropping, and crop rotation.
3. Chemical method: These include spraying of chemicals called weedicides
or herbicides that kill the weeds.
4. Biological method: These include the use of insects and other
microorganisms that feed and destroy specific weeds.

Question 19:

Explain various effects of weeds on crop plants.

ANSWER:

Weeds affect the growth of crop plants in the following ways:

(i) They compete with the crop plant for nutrients, water, space, and light,
depriving the crop plants of essential nutrients.
(ii) They spread crop pests by acting as hosts to insects and other
microorganisms.
(iii) Some produce toxic substances that harm the growth of crop plants.
(iv) Some weeds get mixed up with crops during harvesting and lead to poor
quality of crop production.

Question 20:

What are crop's pests? Suggest preventive measures to control pests.

ANSWER:

Crop's pests are the organisms that destroy the growing crop plants by
causing great economic loss. There are various pests of crop plants such as
weeds, insects, mites, rodents, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
Crop's pests can be controlled by following measures:
(i) Use of pesticides (insecticides, weedicides, and fungicides) that kill the
insects, weeds, and fungal pests.
(ii) Use of resistant crop varieties.
(iii) Crop rotation and multiple cropping.
(iv) Clean cultivation.
(v) Sowing crops at optimum time.
Question 21:

What is the advantage of using insect resistant varieties?

ANSWER:

Advantage of using insect-resistant varieties is that it reduces the use of

insecticides. This will help in maintaining the soil fertility for a longer period
of time, as harmful chemicals present in insecticides will not be added to the
soil. It will also reduce the cost of crop production by removing the
expenditure of buying insecticides.

Question 1:

Distinguish between fertilizer and manure. Give suitable examples. What are
advantages and disadvantages of using fertilizer?

ANSWER:

Manure
It is a natural substance
obtained by decomposition of
animal wastes and plant
residues.
It has a low nutrient content.
It is rich in organic matter and
adds humus to the soil.
It is not soluble in water and
hence is absorbed slowly by
the plants.
It is cheaper.
Fertiliser
It is a man-made
substance, generally an
inorganic salt or organic
compound.
It has a high nutrient
content.
It is rich in inorganic
matter and does not
contain humus.
It is soluble in water and
is readily absorbed by the
plants.
It is expensive.

Advantages of using fertilisers:

(i) They are very rich in plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, and
potassium) and helps in proper growth of plants.
(ii) They are an important component for obtaining higher yield of crop
plants.
(iii) These are compact and concentrated. Hence, it is easy to store and
transport them to the crops.

Disadvantages of using fertilisers:

(i) They generally get washed off by water and pollute the nearby lakes,
rivers, and streams.
(ii) They are very costly, and many of the farmers are unable to afford them.
(iii) Continuous use of fertilisers affect soil fertility.

Question 2:

Explain the mechanism of compost formation.

ANSWER:

Method of compost formation:

Compost is prepared from farm and town refuse, including vegetable and
animal refuse, faecal matter of humans, sewage waste, weeds, crop stubble,
straw, forest litter, etc.
Steps in preparation of compost:
(i) A trench of suitable size (4–5 cm long, 1.5–1.8 cm broad, and 1.0–1.8
cm deep) is dug.
(ii) A layer of mixed refuse (about 30 cm thick) is spread in the trench
that is well moistened by slurry of cattle dung and water.
(iii) A second layer of mixed refuse is spread in trench till the heap rises to
about 45–60 cm above the ground level.
(iv) Top of the heap is then covered by a thin layer of moist earth. This is
left for about three months.
(v) Partially decomposed biomass is taken out of the trench and collected in
a conical heap that is moistened with earth and is again left for one to two
months. The compost is then ready for use.
 

Question 3:

Explain what will happen if in a cultivated field only manures are supplied
and in another field only fertilizers are supplied, keeping all other conditions
similar.

ANSWER:

Manure are poor in nutrient content than fertilisers; however, they are rich
in organic matter.
If only manure is added to a field, then the plants of that field will have
stunted growth. This is because the field has a low nutrient content. Also,
the plants will have nutrient deficiency that arise due to lack of specific
nutrients. However, the soil of the field will have a better water-retention
capability due to the presence of humus in the soil.
On the other hand, if we add only fertilisers in a field, then the plants of that
field will have a better and healthier plants. This is because the fertilisers are
very rich in plant nutrients. However, the continuous use of fertilisers may
cause disturbance in the aquatic ecosystem due to passage of chemicals
from the field to nearby ponds and rivers via rain or irrigation.

Question 4:
Define irrigation. Why is irrigation of crops essential? Mention the harmful
effects of excessive irrigation.

ANSWER:

Irrigation is the process of supplying water to the crop plants via canals,
wells, reservoirs, tube wells, etc.

Irrigation of crops is essential because water is an important growth factor

for the plants. The only natural source of water to the plants is by rain, and
if there is no rain, plants will get deprived of water and will not grow
efficiently. Also, there are many areas where there is no rain, so in such
conditions water has to be applied to the growing crop plants by artificial
means. Thus, irrigation forms an essential need for the growth and
development of the plants.

Harmful effects of excessive irrigation are listed below:

(i) It promotes soil salinity.
(ii) It decreases the availability of oxygen to the roots of plants by forming a
layer of salt on the soil surface.

Question 5:

Explain various types of irrigation systems in India. How can efficiency of

applied water be increased in agriculture.

ANSWER:

There are various types of irrigation systems in India.

1. Canal system: In this system, man-made canals receive water from
different reservoirs or rivers. There are unlined field channels that serve
individual fields or a group of fields. Rotation system is followed in canal
irrigated areas. This ensures adequate irrigation to all the fields in water
shortage.
2. Tanks: These are small storage reservoirs that catch and store the run-off
of smaller catchment areas. In the tanks, outflows are controlled as per the
availability of water to prevent uneven distribution of water.
3. Wells: They are of two types:
  (a) Dug wells: Water is collected from water-bearing strata that slowly
accumulates in the pit. Mechanical means are used to collect water from dug
wells.
  (b) Tube wells: It gets water from deeper strata. Diesel or electrical pumps
are used to lift water from tube wells.
4. River lift system: Water is directly drawn from the rivers for supplement
irrigation.
5. River valley system: In this system, plants are cultivated in riverine
valleys and on the slopes of these valleys.
6. Drip and sprinkler system: Overhead pipes and water sprayers are used in
this system. This method is more common in USA, Britain, Europe, and parts
of India.

Efficiency of applied water can be increased in agriculture by:

(i) rainwater harvesting and
(ii) watershed management.

Question 6:

Compare between mixed cropping and intercropping. Write down from

advantage of both of these techniques.

ANSWER:

Mixed Cropping Intercropping

Its aim is to increase the
Its aim is to reduce the
productivity of crops per unit
risk of crop failure.
area.
Seeds are mixed before
Seeds are not mixed.
sowing.
Crops are not set in Crops are set in patterns of
proper rows. rows.
Pesticide application is
Pesticide application is easier.
difficult.
Crops cannot be Both crops are harvested and
 harvested and threshed
threshed separately.
separately.

Advantages of mixed cropping:

(i) It reduces the risk of crop failure due to monsoon stress.

(ii) Pest infestation of crops is greatly reduced.
(iii) It increases the soil fertility.
(iv) It increases the yield of both the crops due to complementary effect of
each crop.

Advantages of intercropping:

(i) It increases the yield of crops.

(ii) Pesticides can be applied to the crops with great ease.
(iii) Soil erosion is effectively reduced.
(iv) The produce of each crop can be marketed and consumed separately.
 

Question 7:

Explain the various methods of crop improvement. Name one improved

variety of Rice, Maize, Soyabean, Sunflower and Mustard.

ANSWER:

Methods of crop improvement are explained below:

1. Hybridisation: It is the crossing between two genetically dissimilar plants

to produce a new variety of plants.
Crossing may be between two different varieties (intervarietal cross-
breeding), between two different species of the same genus (interspecific
cross-breeding), and between different genera (intergeneric cross-breeding).
It incorporates desirable traits of both the parents in one variety.
2. Recombinant DNA technology: It is a method of transferring genes from
one organism to another to modify the genetic make-up of latter. It gives
rise to transgenic plants called as genetically modified foods (GMFs).
Example: Bt cotton is a genetically modified crop that carries bacterial genes
that protect plants from insects.
3. Polyploidy: It refers to increasing the chromosome number of a plant that
leads to increase in the plant production. Example: Potato.
4. Mutation breeding: In this method, new crop varieties are generated by
inducing mutations. Example: Mexican varieties of wheat.

Improved varieties of:

(i) Rice is Jawahar.
(ii) Maize is HIM128.
(iii) Soya bean is Pusa 24.
(iv) Sunflower is MSF H 8.
(v) Mustard is Agarni.

Question 8:

Discuss the various methods which are used to control plant diseases.

ANSWER:

There are two broad methods to control plant diseases as stated below:
1. Weed control:
Weeds are unwanted plants growing in the cultivated fields that compete
with the crops for food, space, and light. Hence, they deprive the crops of
nutrients leading to the growth of unhealthy plants. There are four methods
to control weeds:
(i) Mechanical method: These include uprooting, weeding, hand hoeing,
interculture, ploughing, burning, and flooding.
(ii) Cultural method: These include proper bed preparation, timely sowing of
crops, intercropping, and crop rotation.
(iii) Chemical method: These include spraying of chemicals called weedicides
or herbicides that kill the weeds.
(iv) Biological method: These include the use of insects and other
microorganisms that feed and destroy the specific weeds.

2. Insect pest control: 

Many of the insects are pests of crop plants. They attack the parts and
products of plants and lowers the yield of crops.
Insect can attack the plant in three ways—that is, by chewing the crop
plants, by sucking the cell sap from various parts of plants, and by damaging
the crop internally.
There are three methods to control insect pests:
(i) Mixing insecticides with the soil helps in controlling root-cutting type
insects. Example: Chloropyriphos.
(ii) Dusting or spraying the insecticides helps in getting rid of stem- and
leaf-cutting and boring type of insects. Example: Malathion.
(iii) Spraying systemic insecticides (that enters the plant tissues via roots or
shoots) helps in controlling sap-sucking insects such as aphids. Example:
Dimethoate and metasystox.

Question 9:

Explain the various preventive measures against insect pests.

ANSWER:

Insect pests are serious plant destroyers. They attack the parts and products
of plants at all the stages of their life.
Insects can attack the plant in three ways—that is, by chewing the crop
plants, by sucking the cell sap from various parts of plants, and by damaging
the crop internally.
Methods to control insect pests are as follows:
(i) Mixing insecticides with the soil helps in controlling root-cutting-type
insects. In this method, the insecticides are mixed in the soil of the field
before sowing the crops, for example, chloropyriphos.
(ii) Dusting or spraying the insecticides helps in getting rid of stem- and
leaf-cutting insects. Here, the insecticides are sprayed on the stems and
leaves of the plants, for example, malathion.
(iii) Spraying systemic insecticides (insecticides that enters the plant tissues
via roots or shoots) helps in controlling sap-sucking insects. A systemic
insecticide penetrates the tissues of the host plant without causing any harm
to the plant. Insects feed on the insecticide and die, for example, dimethoate
and metasystox.
Question 10:

What is feed? What are different type of feed? How is it differ with respect to
age and functions?

ANSWER:

Feed refers to the food that is eaten by farm animals.

There are two types of feeds:
1. Roughage: It contains fibres such as green fodder, silage, hay, and
legumes.
2. Concentrates: They are a mixture of substances that are rich in one or
more of the nutrients. They are low in fibres and have relatively high protein
and other nutrient contents. They include oil seeds, grains of maize, oats,
barley, gram, etc.
The daily average feed of a cow are as follows:
1. Green fodder and dry grasses (roughage) = 15–20 kg.
2. Grain mixture (concentrates) = 4–5 kg.
3. Water = 30–35 l.
A younger animal needs more food and nutrients than an older one because
more energy is needed for the growth and development process of the
young animal.

Question 11:

What is artificial insemination? Describe this technique.

ANSWER:

Artificial insemination is the process of cross-breeding in which semen is

collected from the desired bull of high milk yielding breed and injected into
the genital tract of female animal during fertility period.
This method is used to improve the breeds of animals, generally cows,
buffaloes, poultry, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs.
Examples of breeds of cows raised by this method are Karan Swiss (breed of
brown Swiss and Sahiwal), Frieswal (breed of Holstein-Friesian and Sahiwal),
and Karan Fries (breed of Holstein-Friesian and Thaparkar).
Steps of artificial insemination are as follows:
(i) Selection of a healthy and tough animals having high milk yield.
(ii) Collection of semen from the selected animal.
(iii) Preservation  of semen by freezing or chemical methods.
(iv) Injecting semen into the genital tract of female animal during fertility
period or heat period (during this period, cows and buffaloes are sexually
excited and ready to mate).

Advantages of artificial insemination:

1. It helps in raising animals with desirable traits.
2. It is cheaper as semen from a single bull can be used to impregnate
several thousand cows.

Question 12:

Write a short note on prevention of animal diseases.

ANSWER:

Prevention of animal diseases:

Animals suffer from a large number of diseases that are caused by viruses,
bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other pathogens. They also suffer from
various diseases due to certain nutritional deficiencies. Example: Dermatitis
is caused by viruses and infect cows, buffaloes, and fowls. It leads to
irritation and eruptions of blisters on skin surface.
These diseases can be prevented by adopting the following methods:
(i) Proper cleaning and sanitation: This is the best method to decrease the
growth of germs and other causal organisms that lead to various health
hazards.
(ii) Spraying disinfectants regularly: After cleaning and sanitation, the farm
should be sprayed with disinfectants, so as to minimise the growth of
pathogens.
(iii) Vaccinating: To prevent infectious diseases, appropriate vaccination is
important.
(iv) Diet: Providing appropriate diet to the animals prevents the nutritional
deficiencies.
(v) Quarantining: Isolating the infected animals from other animals prevent
the disease from spreading among other animals.

Question 13:

How bee colony works? What values can be seen in the organisation of bee
colony?

ANSWER:

Honeybees live in a colony and divide their tasks among different groups
(castes) in the same colony. There are mainly three types of castes in the
colony of bees:
(i) Queen:
The queen is the mother of the colony and is responsible for laying eggs.
She lays up to 2,000 eggs every day of each season.
(ii) Drone:
The main role of the drone is to mate with the queen and remain in the
colony to sleep and eat honey. They stay in the hive only during the
breeding season.
(iii) Worker:
They are the most active members of the colony. They are responsible for
almost all the work. They collect the nectar and change it into honey. They
are of three types, namely scavenger bees, nurse bees, and foraging or field
bees.

Organisation of a bee colony sets an excellent example of teamwork and

division of labour. They live in a single colony and divide their work in
different groups according to their capabilities and body organisation. It tells
us how to coordinate in an organisation with other members.

Question 14:

Write down the desirable characters of bee variety suitable for bee keeping.
ANSWER:

The desirable characteristics of selecting a bee variety for bee-keeping are

listed below:
1. The bee variety should be carrying a gentle nature. Otherwise, they may
bite human beings and harm them.
2. It must have a good honey collection capacity because the main purpose
of bee-keeping is to increase the yield of honey.
3. It should be able to protect itself from pathogens such as viruses,
bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. These organisms cause various infections in
bees.
4. It must have a prolific queen with less swarming i.e., it should be able to
produce higher number of offsprings or lay higher number of eggs.

Question 15:

What is pasturage and how it is related to honey production?

ANSWER:

Pasturage is the availability of flowers to the bees for nectar and pollen
collection.
Pasturage determines the taste, quality, and quantity of honey. Pasturage of
honeybees include different variety of flowering plants such as mango,
coconut, almond, tamarind, ber, berseem, litchi, cotton, sesame,
apple, mahua, coriander, cashew, coffee, rubber plants, guava, sunflower,
and neem.

Question 16:

For increasing production, what is common in poultry, fisheries and bee-

keeping?

ANSWER:

Cross-breeding is the common method used for increasing the production

among poultry, fisheries, and bee-keeping.
The exotic species of the fowls, fishes, and bees with desirable traits are
selected and allowed to breed with the local breeds of desirable characters.
This technique produces offsprings with specific traits having a higher
yielding capacity.
In case of poultry, such breeds of fowls that are produced have the following
traits:
(a) A higher egg production.
(b) Better quality meat.
(c) Immunity against various pathogens.
In case of fisheries, breeding of fish is done to improve the nutritional
content of fish and to increase its production.
In case of bee-keeping, a high honey-yielding breeds are selected and grown
artificially to have a higher honey production.

Question 17:

How do you differentiate between capture fisheries, inland fisheries and

aquaculture?

ANSWER:

Capture
Inland Fisheries Aquaculture
Fisheries
It is a method of It is a method of
It is a method of obtaining fish from fish obtaining fish from fish
obtaining fish farming. It includes farming. It includes
from natural riverine, reservoir, lake, mariculture and
resources. pond, and estuarine freshwater culture
fisheries. fisheries.
There is no Fish is seeded and Fish is seeded and
seeding or cultured in large cages cultured in coastal
rearing of fish. and ponds. waters and lakes.

Question 18:

Explain the role of workers in a been colony.

ANSWER:

Role of workers in a bee colony:

Workers are diploid, sterile females. They are the most active members of
the colony and have most of the responsibilities on their shoulders. They
perform different indoor and outdoor activities with their various organs such
as hypopharyngeal glands, wax glands, pollen baskets, sucking-type mouth
parts, higher invertase enzyme secretion, and a sting at the tip of the
abdomen.
They live for 3‒12 months. During the first half of their life, they perform
indoor functions as scavengers, nurse bees and guard bees. During the next
half, they perform outdoor activities as scout and forager bees.
Depending upon the nature of work and age, the worker bees are divided
into three groups:
(i) Scavenger bees: They clean the walls and floor of empty cells of the
colony for reuse during the first three days.
(ii) Nurse bees: They work like a foster mother, by feeding the entire brood
from the fourth day. They also guard the colony from intruders.
(iii) Foraging bees: These collect nectar, pollen, and propolis in their crops,
where they are converted into honey.