Agriculture Quiz on Crop Production and Intercropping

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Questions and Answers

What is relay inter-cropping?

Alternative planting of different crops in narrow strips.

Sowing two crops simultaneously in the same field.

Sowing two different crops in completely separated areas.

Planting a second crop before harvesting the first crop. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a type of crop classification mentioned?

Fruit crops (correct)

Vegetable crops

Forage crops

Sugar crops

What is required for proper seed germination?

Excessive moisture and low temperatures.

Soil temperature below 15°C and complete darkness.

Moisture, oxygen, and temperature in proper balance. (correct)

Oxygen, darkness, and low temperatures.

What is the result of water absorption by seeds during germination?

Starch is changed to sugar by enzymes. Signup and view all the answers

Which crop is commonly associated with the concept of sole cropping?

Maize Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of water logging on seed germination?

Causes a shortage of oxygen in soils. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these crops is classified as a fiber crop?

Sisal Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the process when dormant plant embryos begin to grow?

Germination Signup and view all the answers

In strip intercropping, what is the main characteristic of the planting method?

Two or more crops are planted in alternate strips. Signup and view all the answers

What key environmental factor is NOT necessary for seed germination?

Excess sunlight Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of crop production?

To ensure food security by producing high-quality yields Signup and view all the answers

What happens during shifting cultivation?

Farmers clear land and then abandon it for a period of time Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the bare fallow period in agriculture?

To improve soil fertility by plowing under weeds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a method of crop production mentioned?

Shifting cultivation Signup and view all the answers

Why does soil fertility decline in shifting cultivation?

From high incidence of weeds, disease, and insects Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does a longer duration of bush fallow provide?

Higher restoration of soil fertility Signup and view all the answers

Continuous cropping is characterized by which practice?

Cultivating the same land year after year Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of leveling the land during preparation?

To have a smooth seed bed Signup and view all the answers

Which condition must seeds meet to be considered healthy for planting?

They should appear plump and uniform in size Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence the number of tillage operations in land preparation?

Soil moisture level Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to sow at the right time?

To minimize insect and disease problems Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of high germinability in seeds?

Seeds need to have a germination percentage of 90-100% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using industrial fertilizers in continuous cropping?

To maintain high soil fertility Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a benefit of crop rotation?

Maximizing the use of the same crop species Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes sole cropping?

Cultivating the same crop species year after year Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in crop rotation to enhance soil nitrogen levels?

A legume/pulse crop Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field?

Inter-cropping Signup and view all the answers

What is a feature of mixed inter-cropping?

Crops are intermingled without distinct rows Signup and view all the answers

Why might farmers minimize crop failure through crop rotation?

It disrupts pest life cycles Signup and view all the answers

What type of inter-cropping ensures crops are grown in separate rows?

Row inter-cropping Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of continuous cropping without diversification?

Reduced soil fertility over time Signup and view all the answers

What type of emergence has the cotyledons pushed above the soil surface?

Epigeal Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the seedling is located below the first node?

Hypocotyle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an abiotic environmental stress?

Flood Signup and view all the answers

What method involves increasing crop yields by cultivating new lands?

Extensive farming Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can contribute to low yield as identified in the problems tree?

Poor field management Signup and view all the answers

What is a solution proposed for achieving food security in the solution tree?

Education Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy involves principles of crop production starting from seed-bed preparation?

Intensive farming Signup and view all the answers

What could be a negative consequence of political instability as identified in the problems tree?

Low yield Signup and view all the answers

What type of farming method focuses on enhancing soil fertility and sustainable practices?

Intensive farming Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a way to increase crop yields as mentioned?

Avoiding fertilizers Signup and view all the answers

Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Crop Production and Management

Crop production is the practice of growing and harvesting crops.
It is considered both an art and a science.
Key physical activities include land preparation, sowing/planting, weeding/cultivation, harvesting, and seed cleaning.
The science of crop production relies on improved agricultural inputs, developed through research.

Agricultural Inputs

Quality seeds of improved varieties
Fertilizers to enhance soil fertility
Herbicides for weed control
Fungicides to combat fungal diseases (examples: rust, smut, blight, mildew)
Insecticides to control insects (e.g., stalk borer, army worm, aphids, boll worm)
Agricultural machinery for tasks such as land preparation, chemical spraying, harvesting, and processing.

Need for Crop Production

Global population has increased significantly since 100 years ago
From 1 billion to 3 billion in 1960 then 5 billion in 1987, 6 billion in 1999, 7 billion in 2011 and projected to reach 9 billion in 2025.
This increasing population necessitates a higher production of food.
Plants are the primary producers of food.

Increasing Crop Production

Increased production can be achieved through both extensive and intensive approaches.
Extensive production methods have now nearly reached the limit of arable land.
Focus has shifted to intensive production methods (increasing production per unit of area).

Yield Limiting Factors

Crop yield is a function of genetic potential, environmental factors, and management.
Genetic potential can be enhanced through natural and artificial selection.
Environmental factors include temperature, rainfall, humidity, sunlight, altitude, water, air, soil type, nutrients, and physicochemical characteristics.

Crop Management

Agronomic management (sowing date, planting population, spacing, weeding, etc.)
Crop protection
Storage
Improved genetic potential, suitable environmental (climate) factors and excellent management practices result in higher productivity per unit area.

Crop Production Objectives

Produce substantial and high-quality yields without depleting the land.
This has been achieved using various crop production methods.

Methods of Crop Production

Shifting cultivation (bush fallow): Involves clearing and cultivating land, then abandoning it until natural vegetation grows back. Returning to previously cleared land after a period of fallow to regain soil fertility.
Bare fallow cultivation: A modification of shifting cultivation where fields are left fallow for a period to improve soil fertility.
Continuous cropping: Cultivating the same land repeatedly with crops. Techniques utilized include the application of industrial fertilizers, organic products like FYM and compost, and crop rotation/intercropping.

Types of Continuous Cropping

Monoculture (mono-cropping): Cultivating the same crop continuously.
Crop rotation: Cultivating different types of crops in a planned sequence.
Intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same land. This can be achieved through row intercropping, mixed intercropping, or relay intercropping.

Crop Rotation Importance

Maintains soil fertility.
Minimizes insect and disease infestations.
Minimizes weed spread.
Improves soil physical properties.

Sole Cropping and Intercropping

Sole cropping: Cultivating only one crop variety.
Intercropping: Cultivating two or more crops simultaneously. Row, mixed, and relay are types of intercropping.

Types of Inter-cropping (Spatial Arrangement)

Row intercropping: Crops are planted in separate rows.
Mixed intercropping: Crops are planted mixed together.
Relay intercropping: One crop is planted after another.

Agronomic Classification of Crops

Classified based on the intended use:
- Cereals (grasses for edible seeds)
- Pulses/legumes
- Vegetables
- Root crops
- Sugar crops
- Oil crops
- Fiber crops
- Forage crops
- Tuber crops
- Stimulant crops

Growth and Development of Plants

Plant life cycle begins with seed germination.
Germination requires favorable environmental conditions (moisture, oxygen, temperature, sometimes sunlight).
Soil temperature above 15°C and proper drainage are vital.
Starch is converted to sugar for use in plant development.

Emergence of Seedlings

Epigeal: Cotyledons pushed above the soil surface.
Hypogeal: Cotyledons remain below the soil.

Environmental Stresses

Environmental stresses affecting crop production are classified as biotic (diseases, insects, weeds) and abiotic (climate, soil).

Methods for Increasing Crop Yields

Extensive farming: Expanding arable land through new cultivation, irrigation, or drainage.
Intensive farming: Improving productivity in existing arable land utilizing sound crop production principles (seed-bed preparation through proper yield grain storage).

Problems and Solutions

Problems: Political instability, poverty, famine, low yield, shortage of land, soil erosion, pests, diseases, poor field management, drought, flood, population pressure, needs of parents.
Solutions: Peace, food security, high yield production, proper field management, irrigation, soil fertility, soil conservation, improved inputs utilization, drainage, afforestation, family planning, education.

Principles of Crop Production/Packaging Approach

Preparation of soil
Sowing
Adding manures and fertilizers
Irrigation
Storage
Threshing
Harvesting
Weeding

Good Land Preparation

The land should be ready for planting; soil conditions must be right. Elements to be considered:
Sowing of seeds
Germination of seeds
Emergence of seedlings
Subsequent growth and development
Absence of weeds
Level surfaces, and smaller soil clods.

Quality seed characteristics

True-to-type: Variety should be appropriate for the environmental requirements
Pure-to-type: Seeds should contain only seeds of their designated varieties, without any weeds or seeds of other varieties.

Crop Production Factors

Optimum fertilizer rates
Proper planting depth
Timely weed control
Timely insect and disease control
Timely harvesting
Drying grains to required moisture levels.
Proper storage.

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Description

Test your knowledge on various concepts related to crop production, including intercropping, seed germination, and the effects of environmental factors. This quiz covers key agricultural practices and terminology crucial for understanding effective farming methods.