CROP PRODUCTION AND

CHAPTER
1 MANAGEMENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 CROPS
3.0 AGRICULTURE PRACTICES
3.1 Soil Preparation
3.2. Sowing
3.3 Irrigation
3.4 Weeding
3.5 Harvesting
3.6 Threshing
3.7 Winnowing
3.8 Storage
4.0 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
4.1 Cattle Farming
4.2 Poultry
4.3 Fisheries
4.4 Apiculture
EXERCISE - 1
EXERCISE - 2
EXERCISE - 3
 Crop P rodu ction and Ma nagement
1.0 INTRODUCTION
All living organisms require food for their growth and survival.
The food supplies carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.
The two major sources of food are the plants and animals which are obtained from agriculture
and animal husbandry. Plants make their own food by the process of photosynthesis.
In present time due to the tremendous increase of human population, demand of food and shelter
are also increased.
Higher grain output can be achieved by bringing more land under cultivation. The other possibility
is to increase production efficiency of both plants and animals. Increase in production can be
brought about by the development and use of improved varieties with high yield and better
managerial practices (both pre and post harvest).
It is important that food production should be increased without degrading our environment and
disturbing natural balance. This is possible through genetic improvement of crop plants (a second
green revolution), domesticated animals adopting sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry.
"Agriculture is an applied biological science which deals with the production of plants
(agronomy) and raising of live stock (animal husbandry) for human use."
Horticulture is branch of agriculture that deals with cultivation of fruits, vegetables,
nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and non food crops
such as grass and ornamental trees and plants.
The use of agricultural practices by Indian farmers over last 40 years led to the "Green Revolution".
Dr. M.S. Swaminathan played a key role in bringing about the green revolution so he is called as
"Father of Indian green revolution".
He developed dwarf variety of wheat "sharbati sonara".
Norman borlaug is known as the father of green revolution.
Green revolution - to increase food production
Blue revolution - to increase fish production
Yellow revolution - to increase oil production
White revolution - to increase milk production
Golden revolution - to increase fruit production
Silver revolution - to increase egg production

2.0 CROPS
Plants of same kind which are grown and cultivated at one place on a large scale are known as
crops.
Different types of crops require different climatic conditions like temperature, humidity, photoperiods
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and rainfall.
Crops are divided into two groups on the basis of growing season.
Kharif crops: These crops are sown in the month of June/July and harvested in September/October
every year.
e.g. Paddy, maize, sugarcane, sorghum, pearl millet.
Rabi crops: These crops are sown in the months of October/November and harvested in March/April
every year.
e.g. Wheat, oat, barley and pea.
Zayed crops: These crops are sown in March/April and harvested before rainy season. Most plant
are vegetables and fruits like cucurbits, gourd, bitter gourd (Karela), melons and moong (pulse).
Zayed crops do not include any grain crop.

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Class VIII : Biology
Cereal crops are rich in carbohydrate and thus provide energy.
e.g. Rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, barley, millets.
Pulses are rich in protein and thus helpful for body building.
e.g. Gram, moong, pea, lentil, urad, pigeon pea.
Oil seed crops are rich in oil and fatty acids.
e.g. Groundnut, sunflower, soyabean, mustard, sesame.
Vegetable crops provide vitamins, minerals along with small quantities of carbohydrate, protein
and oil.
Fodder crops provide green fodder to the cattle.
e.g. Berseem, sorghum, maize, oat, sudan grass, alfalfa.

3.0 AGRICULTURE PRACTICES

Activities which are carried out by the farmer to ensure good crop yield in particular sequence till
the maturity of crop are known as agriculture practices.
(1) Soil preparation : (a) Ploughing (b) Levelling (c) Manuring
(2) Sowing (3) Irrigation (4) Weeding
(5) Harvesting (6) Threshing (7) Winnowing (8) Storage

3.1 Soil Preparation

Since only a few centimetres of the top layer of soil supports plant growth, turning and loosening of
soil brings the nutrient rich soil to the top so that plant can use these nutrients, thus turning and
loosening of soil is very important for cultivation of crops.
Soil contains minerals, water, air, some living organisms (microbes) earthworms, dead plants and
animals. Various nutrients held in the dead organisms are released back into the soil by microbes
through decomposition. Earthworms loosen the soil and add humus to it.
Various process are included in it.
(a) Ploughing or tilling- Process of loosening and turning of the soil is called ploughing or tilling.
Advantages of ploughing
(i) It allows mixing of manure and fertilizer more uniformly.
(ii) Seeds are also able to germinate more easily.
(iii) It allows good root penetration so that the plant is held firmly to the soil.
(iv) Roots are able to breathe more easily.
(v) Loosened soil promotes growth of worms and microbes which help to maintain the fertility
of soil.
Agriculture implements- The tools required for carrying out the activities involved in the
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cultivation of plants are known as agriculture implements.

Plough- It contains triangular iron strip called ploughshare and main part of the plough is a long log
of wood called ploughshaft. One end of the shaft is handle and other end is attached to a beam
which is placed on the bulls necks.
One pair of bulls and a man can easily operate the plough.

Beam

Ploughshaft
Ploughshare

Fig.1 The plough

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 Crop P rodu ction and Ma nagement

Hoe- This is used for removing weeds and for loosening the soil. It has a long rod of wood or iron.
A strong, broad and bent plate of iron is fixed to one of its ends and works like a blade. It is pulled
by animals.
grip beam
handle

bent p late
ro d

Fig.2 A hoe

Cultivator- Ploughing can also be done by tractor driven cultivator. The use of cultivator saves
labour and time.

Fig.3 Cultivator driven by a tractor

(b) Levelling- Tilled soil may have big blocks of soil (crumbs). Crumbs are broken down and
soil is levelled with wooden planks or iron leveller, this process is called levelling. Levelling is done
for better sowing and irrigation.

A p la nk used to level the soil A n iro n leveller

Fig.4 Soil levellers
Advantages of levelling
(i) It helps in uniform distribution of water and manure.
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(ii) It prevents the loose soil from being eroded by water or air.
(c) Manuring- Farmers have to add manure to the field to replenish the soil with nutrients, the
process known as manuring.
Manure- These are organic substances, obtained from the decomposition of plant and animal
wastes.
Compost- It is a type of manure which is produced from the plant and animal wastes by the
action of microbes.
Vermicompost- It is the type of manure which is produced by the degradation of organic wastes
through the consumption by the earthworms. This process is known as vermicomposting.
Green manure- It is a type of manure which is produced by the sowing and back ploughing of
fast growing legume crops. e.g. alfalfa.

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Class VIII : Biology
Roots of leguminous plants bear root nodules. Root nodules houses Rhizobium, a nitrogen fixing
bacteria. Nitrogen fixed by the bacterium is supplied as additional nitrogenous nutrition to the
leguminous plant (host). In turn, the host plant provides shelter and carbohydrate food to the
bacterium.
Advantages of manure
(i) It increases the number of friendly microbes.
(ii) It improves the texture of soil by adding organic matter (humus).
(iii) It increases soil fertility, water holding capacity and aeration.
(iv) It reduces soil erosion.
(v) It is cheap.
Disadvantage of manure
(i) They have less amount of nutrients as compared to fertilizers.
(ii) Manures are bulky and not easy to store and transport.
Fertilizers- These are commercially manufactured inorganic salts containing one or more essential
plant nutrients like NPK, which are used to increase soil fertility.
Types of fertilizer
Nitrogenous : Sodium nitrate, Urea
Phosphatic : Ammonium phosphate
Potassium : Potassium sulphate
Mixed : NPK
Advantages of fertilizers
(i) They are nutrient specific and required in small amounts.
(ii) They are water soluble and absorbed by the plant easily.
(iii) They are easy to store and transport.
Disadvantages of fertilizers
(i) Fertilizers can change the soil structure by killing the soil microbes.
(ii) Excess use of fertilizers has made the soil less fertile.
(iii) Accumulation of fertilizers in water bodies causes eutrophication.
Methods for maintaining soil fertility without use of fertilizers
Field fallow- The practice of leaving the field uncultivated for a season is called field fallow.
Crop rotation- The practice of growing different crops alternately in the same field is called crop
rotation. e.g. farmers use to grow legume as fodder in one season and wheat in the next season.
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This helps in the replenishment of the soil with nitrogen.

Biofertilizers- Organisms which enrich the soil nutrients due to their biological activities are
called biofertilizers. e.g. Rhizobium (bacteria), Nostoc and Anabaena (BGA).

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 Crop P rodu ction and Ma nagement
Table : Differences between manure and fertilizer

Manure Fertilizer
These are organic substances obtained by the
These are artificial inorganic salts.
decomposition of plant and animal wastes.

They are rich in organic nutrients, not rich in They are rich in Nitrogen, Phosphorus and
(NPK). Potassium (NPK).

They are not nutrient specific. They are nutrient specific.

They are not soluble in water so absorbed They are soluble in water and absorbed
slowly by plants. quickly.

They are not harmful to the environment. They are harmful to the environment.

They have nutrients in small quantity so needed They have higher amount of nutrients so
in large quantity. required in very small quantity.

They are bulky substances so difficult to store They are in concentrated form and easy to
and transport. transport and store.

They are prepared in field. They are prepared in factories.

1. Which of these is a Kharif crop :

(A) Wheat (B) Rice (C) Gram (D) Mustard

2. Which of these is not a cereal :

(A) Maize (B) Gram (C) Wheat (D) Rice

3. Which of these is a horticultural crop :

(A) Cabbage (B) Pineapple (C) Marigold (D) All of the above
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4. Jute and cotton are :

(A) Fodder crops (B) Root crops (C) Fibre crops (D) None of these

5. The principle cereal crop of India is :

(A) Wheat (B) Rice (C) Barley (D) Sorghum

6. Can you explain why most crops have a particular season in which they grow?

7. A farmer grow moong during the rainy season, will he get a good crop?

8. Why does loosening of soil allow roots to breathe easily?

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Class VIII : Biology
3.2. Sowing
The process of putting the seeds in the soil is known as sowing. Before sowing good quality (healthy
and good variety) seeds are selected.
Selection of seeds- Healthy seeds sink and weak or insect eaten seeds float on water. Healthy
seeds are separated and dried before sowing.
Sowing can be done by
(i) Broadcasting- Seeds are sown by hand or manually.
(ii) Traditional tool- The tool used traditionally for sowing seeds has a shape like that of a
funnel.
The seeds which are filled into the funnel, passes down through two or three pipes having
sharp ends.
These ends pierce into the soil and place seeds there.

Fig. 5 Traditional method of sowing

(iii) Seed drill- Seeds are sown by the seed drill with the help of tractor. It saves time and
labour.
This tool sows the seeds uniformly at proper distance and depth
Seeds should be sown at correct distance to avoid overcrowding.
(i) If the seeds are too close they will not get enough water, sunlight and nutrients.
(ii) If the seeds are too far apart, there is wastage of field space.
Precautions during sowing seeds
(i) Use good quality, healthy and disease free seeds.
(ii) The seeds are sown at a particular depth under the soil. Seeds left on the surface of the soil
may be carried or destroyed by the insects and the birds. Seeds placed deep into the soil
may either fail to germinate or may fail to come out into the air on germination.
(iii) Distance should be proper to avoid overcrowding.
(iv) Enough water should be there in the soil.
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Transplantation- Firstly seeds are sown in nursery and then seedlings are shifted to the main field. This
process is known as transplantation. It enables the farmers to select the healthier seedlings.
eg.– Rice, Onion, Tomato, Brinjal and Chilli.

3.3 Irrigation
The process of artificial supplying of water to crop at different intervals is called irrigation. The
time and frequency of irrigation varies from crop to crop, soil to soil and season to season.
(i) Crop-Based Irrigation- Water requirement of different crop plants varies at different stages
of their growth & maturation e.g. paddy crop is transplanted in standing water and also
requires continuous water supply whereas this is not so for the crops of wheat, gram, cotton,
maize etc.

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 Crop P rodu ction and Ma nagement
(ii) Soil-Based Irrigation- Irrigation also depends on the nature of soil in which the crop is
grown e.g. if two crops are grown together one in sandy and another in clay soil, then in
sandy soil more frequent irrigation is needed than clay soil.
Sources of irrigation- Well, tube well, ponds, lakes, river, canal and dams.
Methods of irrigation- Surface irrigation : In this type of irrigation the water is lifted from lake,
well and canal by using following traditional ways like moat (pulley system), chain pump, dhekli, rahat
(lever system). Pumps are commonly used for lifting water. Diesel, biogas, solar energy and electricity
is used to run these pumps.

Moat (pulley system) Chain pump

Dhekli Rahat (lever system)

Fig.6
(i) These methods are cheaper and less efficient.
(ii) These methods require cattle and human labour.
(iii) The lifted water is allowed to run over the field. Surface irrigation can be subdivided into
furrow and basin irrigation.
Disadvantages of traditional ways of irrigation
(i) They require more human labour and human efforts.
(ii) They are less efficient so water is wasted in large quantity.
(iii) They are not useful for poor water regions.
Now a days the following modern ways of irrigation are used, which conserve water.
Sprinkler system
(i) In this system, the perpendicular pipes having rotating nozzles on top, are joined to main
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pipe line at regular intervals. When water is allowed to flow through main pipeline under
pressure with the help of a pump, it escapes from the rotating nozzle.
(ii) It spreads water uniformly over crop plants and field.
(iii) This method is useful for sandy soil and uneven land, where sufficient water is not available.
(iv) It is an efficient system in the canal irrigated area of Haryana and Rajasthan.
Drip system or trickle irrigation
(i) It involves the use of pipes fitted with small tubes called emitters. The pipes are laid over or
under the soil and emitters release water drop by drop around the roots of the plants.
(ii) In this method water is not wasted at all.
(iii) This method is a boon in poor water regions.
(iv) This is the best irrigation technique for fruit crops, garden and trees.

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Advantages of irrigation
Plants contain 90% water. It is important for proper growth and development of flowers, fruits and
seeds of plants.
(i) It maintains the moisture of soil.
(ii) It helps in germination of seeds.
(iii) It helps in supply of essential nutrients.
(iv) Nutrient dissolved in water get transported to each part of plant.
(v) Water also protects the crop from both frost and hot air currents
Fertigation is a method of applying fertilizers through drip irrigation. The situation of standing
water in field due to excessive irrigation is called water logging. As a result of it, the roots fail to
breathe and salinisation occurs.
Other irrigation systems in India
(i) Canal system : Canals receive water from the rivers. The main canals are divided into
branches which are further divided into distributaries to cover maximum areas for irrigation.
(ii) Tanks : Tanks are water storage reservoirs which store the run off water of small catchment
area.
(iii) Wells : (i) Dug well – Water is lifted up by bullock.
(ii) Tube well – Water is pumped up by using diesel or electric run pumps.
(iv) River valley system : Due to heavy rainfall, many river valley are found in Western Ghats
and Karnataka. This results in higher run off and discharge flows in the rivers. To prevent
this coffee, rubber, coconut are cultivated on the slopes of these valleys and single rice crop
is grown at bottom.
(v) River lift system : Water is directly drawn from the river using pumps.

3.4 Weeding
Removal of weeds or undesirable plants is called weeding. It can be done by khurpa (trowel) and
harrow.
Weed- They are unwanted plants which grow along with a cultivated crop in a field. They can
severely reduce crop yields by competing for light, water and nutrients. Some weeds interfere in
harvesting and may be poisonous for animals and human beings.
Some common weeds- Parthenium (Gajar grass), Convolvulus, Amaranthus (Chaulai),
Chenopodium (Bathua), Xanthium (Gokhroo) and Dandelions.
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(a) Amaranthus (b) Chenopodium (c) Convolvulus (d) Wild oat (e) Grass

Fig.7 Some common weeds

Methods of weed control
Mechanical control- It can be done by ploughing, burning before sowing of seed and cutting of
weeds before they produce flowers and seeds. Khurpi and seed drill is also used in uprooting of
weeds.
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 Crop P rodu ction and Ma nagement
Chemical control- It can be done by spraying weedicides or herbicides (chemicals which are
used to kill the weeds). They do not damage the crops. The weedicides are diluted with water to the
extent required and sprayed in the fields with sprayer. Spraying of weedicide effect the health of
farmers. So they should use these chemicals very carefully. They should cover their nose and mouth
with a piece of cloth during spraying of weedicides.
e.g. 2, 4-D, 2, 4, 5-T, Butachlor & Atrazine.

Fig. 8 Spraying weedicide

Biological control- It is done by living organisms to destroy weeds.
e.g Cassia plant prevents the growth of Parthenium weed.
e.g. Herbivorous fish (Carps) feeds on aquatic weeds (Hydrilla).
Pesticides or biocides- These are chemical substances used to kill, control or repel pest.
Types of pesticides
Pesticides Affected organisms Example
Insecticides Insects DDT, Aldrin, Malathion
Fungicides Fungal pathogens Bordeaux mixture,
Burgundy mixture, HgCl2
Advantages of pesticides- They kill pest quickly, increase food production and are
easy to store.
Disadvantages of using pesticides
(i) They cause soil and water pollution.
(ii) Residue left on the fruits & seeds is harmful for human consumption.
(iii) They destroy even the useful insects.
Preventive measures avoiding use of pesticides
(i) Crop rotation, multiple cropping and field fallow.
(ii) Sowing healthy seeds and summer ploughing.
(iii) Use of pest and disease resistant hybrid varieties of crop plant.
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(iv) Field also need to be protected from grazing animals by raising wire fences and boundary
wall.
(v) Birds are scared away from raising scarecrows and beating of drums. Scarecrows : A
scarecrow is an image or an effigy in the shape of a human being that is placed in field to
frighten away birds.
3.5 Harvesting
The cutting and gathering of crops after its maturation is called harvesting. It can be done manually
by sickle or by a machine called harvester.
(i) Many festivals are associated with harvesting season such as Baisakhi, Bihu, Onam, Pongal,
Holi, Diwali.
(ii) Many crops require special harvesting machines. Cotton strippers (for cotton), corn pickers or
huskers (for corn)
(iii) Fruits and vegetables are generally hand-picked when ripe.
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3.6 Threshing
In the harvested crop, the grain seeds need to be separated from the chaff. This process of beating
out the grain from the crop is called threshing. It can be done by threshers.
Combine- A combine machine can harvest and thresh at the same time.
Chaff- Chaff is the material consisting of seed covering and small pieces of stem & leaves.

A combine A thresher
Fig.9

3.7 Winnowing
(i) In this process, the grain-chaff mixture is gradually dropped on the ground from a height.
(ii) The heavier seeds fall vertically down, while lighter chaff is blown away by wind.

Fig.10 Winnowing
3.8 Storage
Proper storage is necessary to get seasonal food regularly throughout the year. Freshly harvested
grains have more moisture. If freshly harvested grains are stored without drying, then they may get
spoil and loose their germination capacity. Hence before storing them the following precautions
must be undertaken.
Buffer stock- Surplus stock of grains which is preserved for emergencies like drought and floods
is called buffer stock. Food grains are stored in large godowns by agencies like Food Corporation of
India (FCI) and State Ware housing Corporations.
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Precautions
(i) Grains should be safe from moisture, insects, rats, and microorganisms.
(ii) Grains must be properly dried in the sun to reduce the moisture in it. This prevents the attack
by insect pest, bacteria and fungi.
(iii) Grains must be stored in jute bags or metallic bins.
(iv) Store grains in silos, granaries and godown with chemical treatment to protect them from
pests like rat and insects.
(v) Dried neem leaves can be used for storing food grains at home.
Factors affecting stored food
(i) Biotic factors : e.g. insects, micro-organisms, mites, birds, rodents and other animals.
(ii) Abiotic factors : e.g.moisture, humidity and temperature.

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 Crop P rodu ction and Ma nagement

1. What is true about weeds :

(A) Weeds can be removed by weedicides
(B) Some weeds can be eaten by us
(C) The best time for the removal of weeds is before they produce flowers and seeds
(D) All of the above

2. The method which enables us to select better and healthy seedlings for cultivation is :
(A) Transplantation (B) Broadcasting (C) Spacing (D) All of the above

3. For appropriate selection of seed, one must consider :

(A) High yielding varieties (B) Disease free seeds
(C) Seed treated with fungicides (D) All of these

4. What is ploughing :
(A) Preparation of soil for making it aerated (B) Process of selection of seed
(C) Transfer of seedlings (D) None of these

5. The element which is required in largest quantity by plants is:

(A) Sulphur (B) Calcium (C) Phosphorus (D) Nitrogen

6. Why should weeds be removed?

7. If the soil is very dry, what should be done by farmer before ploughing?

8. Why should excessive supply of water be avoided?

4.0 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

The branch of agriculture that deals with the feeding, caring and breeding of domestic animals is
called animal husbandry.
Animals reared at homes or in farms, have to be provided with proper food, shelter and care.
When this is done on large scale, it is known as animal husbandry.
The main elements of animal husbandry are :
(i) Proper feeding (ii) Providing good shelter
(iii) Proper health (iv) Proper breeding
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4.1 Cattle Farming

Cattle husbandry is done for two purposes, milk production and draught labour for agricultural
work like ploughing and irrigation.
Livestock : All domestic useful animals.
Milch Animals- Milk giving animals.
Draught Animals- used for work and labour.
Cattle feed consists of two components-
(i) Roughage- It contains large amount of fibre which includes hay fibre silage, fodder and
legumes like barseem, lucerne and cowpea.
(ii) Concentrate- It is a mixture of cereals like maize, oat, barley, jowar, grams, rice polish, cotton seeds,
gram bran, molasses and oilseed cake moistened in water. These are rich in proteins, highly palatable
and easily digestible.
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Class VIII : Biology
4.2 Poultry
The rearing and caring of birds for obtaining eggs and meat for the commercial purpose is known
as poultry farming.
(i) It includes chickens (fowls), ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea-fowls, peafowls, pigeons and quails.
(ii) The egg laying poultry birds are called egger or layer, while the one reared for obtaining meat
is called chicken or broiler.

4.3 Fisheries
The rearing of fish on a large scale is called pisciculture.
(i) The fish eggs are introduced into small ponds called hatcheries.
(ii) Fish is a rich source of proteins and oils. These are a good source of vitamin A and vitamin D.
(iii) Fresh water fishes : Catla, Rohu and Mrigal.
(iv) Marine fishes : Tuna, Cod, Pomfret.
In hatcheries, fries hatch out of eggs which are transferred to a larger culture pond where they get
proper food, light and oxygen. The fishes are harvested when they attain the required size.

4.4 Apiculture
The rearing of honey bees for a large scale production of honey and bee wax, is known as apiculture.
Bees are reared in wooden boxes for commercial production of honey called apiaries.
Honey bee colony and social organization
In a colony, there are three types of bees which are structurally and functionally different from one
another, so polymorphism is associated with division of labour. These types are :
(i) Queen bee:Queen bee lays eggs which hatch into larvae, which grows into pupae. Develop
from fertilized egg.
(ii) Drone bee: Drones are smaller in size than the queen, and their function is to fertilize the
queen. Develop from unfertilized egg.
(iii) Worker bee: Worker bees look after young ones, collect nectar and pollen from flowers and
make honey. Develop from fertilized egg.
TABLE : ANIMAL DISEASES
Disease Causal organism Animals affected
Foot and mouth disease Virus Cattle
Anthrax Bacteria Cattle
Ranikhet Virus Poultry birds
Fowl cholera and Bacteria Poultry birds
fowl typhoid
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l Fishing trawlers- Capture fish in mechanised boats called fishing trawlers.

l Fries- Small fish is called fries.
l Broody Hen- Hen after laying eggs, sits on them for about 21 days, till the chickens hatch out.
This time period is known as incubating period. During this time the hen becomes aggressive if
anyone disturbs. It is called a broody hen.
l Honey- It contains water, sugar, minerals and enzymes. It is used in medicines and not as a regular
food item.
l Sericulture- It is the rearing of silk worm for the production of raw silk.
l NPK are considered as critical elements for Indian soil.

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Level - 1
1. Horticulture deals with
(A) Production of crops (B) Breeding of animals
(C) Study of soil (D) Production of fruits and vegetables.

2. Which one of the following is not true about ploughing

(A) Loosens the soil (B) Aerates the soil
(C) Makes the soil hard (D) Allows easy penetration of roots into the soil

3. Plants get their nitrogen from the soil as

(A) Nitrates (B) Nitrogen dioxide
(C) Molecular nitrogen (N2) (D) Sulphuric acid

4. Process of cutting of crop after its maturation

(A) Threshing (B) Harvesting (C) Winnowing (D) None of these

5. Organic substances obtained from the decomposition of dead plants and animals wastes are called
(A) Fertiliser (B) NPK (C) Herbicide (D) Manure

6. Transplantation is
(A) Process of scattering the seed.
(B) Process of loosening and turning of soil
(C) Process of shifting of tiny saplings from the nursery to a field
(D) None of these

7. The technique of improving crop varieties is called

(A) Hybridization (B) Plant breeding (C) Selection (D) Introduction

8. Which one of the following cause(s) plant diseases?

(A) Viruses (B) Bacteria (C) Fungi (D) All of these

9. Vermicomposting involves
(A) Cockroach (B) Earthworm (C) Leech (D) Roundworm

10. The unwanted wild plants growing along with the crop plants are called
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(A) Seedlings (B) Weeds (C) Minor crops (D) Grasses

11. Which one of the following is not a method to maintain the fertility of soil ?
(A) Crop rotation (B) Using manure (C) Feild Fallow (D) Ploughing

12. Which preventive measure(s) avoid use of pesticides

(A) Crop rotation (B) Use of pest resistant varieties of crop plant
(C) Summer ploughing (D) All of these

13. Chemical substances which are used to kill insects

(A) Fungicide (B) Insecticide (C) Weedicide (D) All of these

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Class VIII : Biology
14. Blue green algae is chiefly used as _________ in the crop field.
(A) Biofertilizers (B) Manure (C) Chemical fertilizer (D) None of these

15. Uprooting of weeds is a method of controlling them–

(A) Mechanically (B) Culturally (C) Chemically (D) Biologically

16. A legume crop is sown before a cereal crop to–

(A) Improve the variety of crop (B) Grow two crops in a year
(C) Improve the fertility of soil (D) All of these

17. Aquatic weeds are controlled by–

(A) Crop rotation (B) Carp (C) Cochineal insect (D) Tillage

18. Nodules with nitrogen fixing bacteria are present in–

(A) Mustard (B) Wheat (C) Gram (D) Cotton

19. Which of the following machines would you use to harvest a crop as well as to beat out the grains
from the chaff ?
(A) Mechanical harvester (B) Combine
(C) Thresher (D) Harrow

20. Separating the grain from chaff by wind is called

(A) Winnowing (B) Hybridisation (C) Threshing (D) Harvesting

Level - 2

1. The big pieces of soil in the ploughed field are called

(A) Crumbs (B) Flakes (C) Lumps (D) All of these

2. Paddy can be grown in

(A) Summer (B) Autumn (C) All season (D) Winter

3. Wheat can be grown in

(A) Winter (B) Rainy season (C) Spring (D) Summer

4. Which of the following is a rabi crop ?

Allen-Junior wing\2019-20\Biology\VIII\Crop production and management

(A) Paddy (B) Maize (C) Mustard (D) Soyabean

5. Loosening and turning of the soil is known as

(A) Tilling (B) Broadcasting (C) Transplantation (D) Manuring

6. Sowing the seeds manually is known as

(A) Ploughing (B) Broadcasting (C) Tilling (D) Transplantation

7. Chemical substances rich in specific nutrients are called

(A) Manures (B) Fertilisers (C) Pesticides (D) Weedicides

8. Leaving the agricultural land uncultivated for one or more seasons is known as
(A) Field fallow (B) Crop rotation (C) Manuring (D) Threshing

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 Crop P rodu ction and Ma nagement
9. Chemicals which kill weeds are known as
(A) Fertilisers (B) Pesticides (C) Weedicides (D) None of these

10. Rearing and breeding of fish in pond and tank is called

(A) Aquaculture (B) Fishing (C) Pisciculture (D) Apiculture

11. Broilers are maintained for getting

(A) Milk (B) Egg (C) Meat (D) Leather

12. Males of honey bee colony are called

(A) Drone (B) Workers (C) Soldiers (D) All of these

13. Cattle feed should contain

(A) Roughage (B) Concentrate (C) Both (D) None of these

14. Poultry farming is undertaken for the production of–

(A) Eggs (B) Eggs and meat (C) Feather and meat (D) Milk and eggs

15. Which of the following is not a draught animal?

(A) Camel (B) Elephant (C) Sheep (D) Horse

16. Sheep are reared mainly for–

(A) Meat (B) Mutton (C) Wool (D) Milk

17. Ranikhet is a poultry disease caused by–

(A) Virus (B) Bacteria (C) Protozoa (D) Fungus

18. Honey bees are considered as friends of farmers because they–

(A) Provide honey (B) Help in pollination
(C) Provide honey and wax (D) All of these
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Class VIII : Biology

Very short answer type questions

1. Define pisciculture.
2. What are weeds ?
3. What is threshing?
4. What are rabi crops ? Name them.
5. What is meant by animal husbandry ?
6. What name is given to loosening and turning of soil ?
7. Name the tool used for tilling of soil.
8. Why should loose soil be levelled ?
9. Name the tool used for removing weeds and loosening of soil.
10. How is ploughing done these days ?
11. What is the advantage of sowing seeds with a seed drill ?
12. What is organic manure ?
13. What is meant by crop rotation ?
14. What is the drip system of irrigation ?
15. Why should weeds be removed ?
16. Name the process of removal of weeds.
17. Name the farm machine used for harvesting and threshing both.
18. What is meant by winnowing ?
19. Why should grains be dried before storage ?
20. Name a bacterial disease in cattle.
21. What is apiculture?
22. What is pisciculture?
23. What is meant by milch and draught breeds?
Allen-Junior wing\2019-20\Biology\VIII\Crop production and management

24. What is fertigation?

Short answer type questions

1. How do the soil and the crops benefited by proper tilling of the soil ?
2. Give two advantages of ploughing the field before sowing.
3. How is transplantation useful to the farmer ?
4. What is a seed drill?
5. Give two methods by which threshing can be done.
6. A farmer never leaves his field fallow. Will he get a good crop ?

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 Crop P rodu ction and Ma nagement
7. What are fertilisers ? Name two important fertilisers.
8. (a) Why is loamy soil considered the best soil for growing plants ?
(b) Why are earthworms known as Nature's ploughmen?
9. Name three natural methods of replenishing the nutrients of the soil. Are these natural methods
sufficient to maintain the fertility of the soil ?
10. Name the three types of crops in our country and give two examples of each.
11. What are the advantages of sprinkler system of irrigation ?
12. Give the advantages of using the drip system of irrigation.
13. What is irrigation? Name two types of wells?
14. Why should apiary be established at a place having abundant flowers present for longer time
duration?
15. What is a layer and broiler?

Long answer type questions

1. What are the differences between rabi and kharif crops? Give one example each of food items
prepared from rabi and kharif crops.
2. Write differences between fertilizers and manure.
3. How are pests controlled in a crop field?
4. Why proper storage of food grains is important? How is it done?
5. Why does farmer rotate crops in the field ?
6. (a) How are crops protected from pests ?
(b) What precautions should be observed while spraying pesticides in the field.
7. Discuss various methods of irrigation?
8. What is animal husbandry? What are the main elements of animal husbandry? Discuss in detail
about cattle farming?
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Class VIII : Biology

True or false
1. Sowing of seeds by sprinkling them by hand is called broadcasting.
2. Paddy is first grown in small plots called kindergartens.
3. Earthworms are a big menace to farmers.
4. Excess use of fertilizers may lead to eutrophication.
5. Rice is a leguminous plant.
6. Rearing of fish on large-scale is called pisciculture.
7. Milch animals require roughage in their diet.
8. Feed of poultry includes lime stones.
9. Hatching of eggs of hen can be done artificially.
10. Cattle do not suffer from bacterial diseases.

Fill in the blanks

1. The practice of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants is called ................
2. ................crops require lot of water.
3. ................ crops are harvested in March-April.
4. ................is a process to loosen soil.
5. ................prevents the loose soil from being eroded by water or air.
6. A combine machine can ............and .............
7. Grains are separated from the chaff and hay by a method called................
8. Shifting of tiny saplings from the nursery to a field is called.....................
9. The process of scattering the seeds in the soil is called.....................
10. Cattle may suffer from a viral disease called .....................
11. Hen, .................... and .................... are reared in poultry farms.
Allen-Junior wing\2019-20\Biology\VIII\Crop production and management

12. ....................is a marine fish, while .................... is a fresh water fish.

13. In a beehive, only .................... lays eggs.
14. Rearing, breeding and management of fish on a large scale is called.....................
15. ....................are chemical substances rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium.

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 Crop P rodu ction and Ma nagement

Match the column

1. Column-I Column-II
(1) Rice (a) Broadcasting
(2) Wheat (b) Fertilizers
(3) Sowing seeds (c) Rabi crop
(4) NPK (d) Kharif crop

2. Column-I Column-II
(1) Plough (a) Sowing of seeds
(2) Hoe (b) An irrigation system
(3) Cultivator (c) Manual harvesting
(4) Seed drill (d) Loosening and turning of soil
(5) Moat (e) Used for spraying weedicide
(6) Sickle (f) Removing weeds
(7) Sprayer (g) Combined harvester and thresher
(8) Combine (h) Tractor driven tilling device.

3. Column-I Column-II
(1) Green plants (a) Ploughing
(2) Sowing of seeds (b) Drill
(3) Enhances water holding capacity (c) Silos
(4) Large scale storage of food (d)Hybridization
(5) Improvement of crops (e)Autotrophs
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Class VIII : Biology

ANSWERS
CHECK POST-1
1. (B) 2. (B) 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (B)

CHECK POST-2
1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (A) 5. (D)

EXERCISE-1
Level-1
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. D C A B D C A D B B D D B A A C B C B A

Level-2
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Ans. A A A C A B B A C C C A C B C C A B

EXERCISE-3
True or false
1. True 2. True 3. False 4. True 5. False
6. True 7. True 8. True 9. True 10. False
Fill in the blanks
1. Horticulture 2. Kharif 3. Rabi 4. Ploughing/Tilling
5. Levelling 6. Harvest, Thresh 7. Winnowing 8. Transplantation
9. Broadcasting 10. Foot and mouth disease 11. Duck, turkeys
12. Tuna, catla 13. Queen bee 14. Pisciculture. 15. Fertilizers
Match the column
1. (1) ® d ; (2) ® c ; (3) ® a ; (4) ® b
2. (1) ® d ; (2) ® f ; (3) ® h ; (4) ® a ; (5) ® b ; (6) ® c ; (7) ® e ; (8) ® g
3. (1) ® e ; (2) ® b ; (3) ® a ; (4) ® c; (5) ® d
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