Food Resources and Crop Yields in India

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Questions and Answers

What are the key characteristics that crop variety improvement aims to enhance?

Key characteristics include higher yield, improved quality, biotic and abiotic resistance, change in maturity duration, and wider adaptability.

Why is improved quality significant in crops such as wheat and pulses?

Improved quality is significant because it ensures specific quality requirements, such as baking quality in wheat and protein quality in pulses, which are essential for consumer satisfaction and marketability.

How does shorter maturity duration benefit farmers?

Shorter maturity duration allows farmers to grow multiple crops in a year, reduces production costs, and makes harvesting easier.

What role does biotic and abiotic resistance play in crop production?

Biotic and abiotic resistance helps crops withstand diseases, insects, drought, and other stresses, which is crucial for maintaining production levels. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways does the financial capacity of farmers influence their agricultural practices?

Farmers' financial capacity determines their ability to invest in different farming inputs and technologies, impacting yield and productivity. Signup and view all the answers

What role does magnesium and sulphur compost play in plant health?

Magnesium and sulphur compost enriches the soil with organic matter and essential nutrients, promoting plant growth and health. Signup and view all the answers

How do micronutrients influence plant processes?

Micronutrients, such as iron and zinc, are crucial for physiological processes including growth, reproduction, and disease resistance in plants. Signup and view all the answers

What is vermi-compost and its significance?

Vermi-compost is a type of compost created using earthworms, which accelerates the decomposition process of organic waste. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the method and benefits of using green manure.

Green manure involves growing plants like sun hemp before sowing crops, then ploughing them into the soil to enrich it with nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

Why are fertilizers important in agriculture?

Fertilizers supply key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, essential for healthy plant development and higher crop yields. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three primary ways insect pests attack plants?

Insect pests attack plants by cutting the root, stem, and leaf, sucking the cell sap, and boring into the stem and fruits. Signup and view all the answers

What types of pathogens can cause diseases in plants?

Diseases in plants can be caused by pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Signup and view all the answers

Name three methods commonly used to control weeds, insects, and diseases.

Common methods for control include the use of pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides), mechanical removal, and preventive cultivation practices. Signup and view all the answers

What potential problems are associated with the excessive use of pesticides?

Excessive use of pesticides can lead to poisoning of many plant and animal species and cause environmental pollution. Signup and view all the answers

What key nutrients are found in cow's milk and what percentages do they represent?

Cow's milk contains 3.60% fat, 4.00% protein, 4.50% sugar, 0.70% minerals, 87.20% water, and vitamins B1, B2, B12, D, and E. Signup and view all the answers

How do intercropping and crop rotation assist in pest control?

Intercropping and crop rotation help prevent the spread of pests and diseases by varying the plants grown in succession. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the impact of diseases on crop yield.

Diseases can significantly reduce crop yield by affecting the health of the plants and making them more susceptible to other stresses. Signup and view all the answers

Identify two biotic and two abiotic factors that lead to storage losses in agricultural produce.

Biotic factors include insects and rodents; abiotic factors include inappropriate moisture and temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

What is animal husbandry and what does it involve?

Animal husbandry is the scientific management of animal livestock, involving aspects such as feeding, breeding, and disease control. Signup and view all the answers

What is crop rotation and why is it practiced?

Crop rotation is the planned succession of different crops on the same land to improve soil nutrients and control pests. Signup and view all the answers

Which animal product has the highest percentage of protein and what is that percentage?

Meat has the highest percentage of protein at 21.10%. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways can pathogens be transmitted to plants?

Pathogens can be transmitted to plants through soil, water, and air. Signup and view all the answers

List the vitamins found in fish and their health benefits.

Fish contains niacin, vitamin D, and vitamin A, which are beneficial for skin health, bone health, and immune function. Signup and view all the answers

How does growing awareness of livestock treatment impact animal husbandry?

It has led to increased demand for humane treatment and considerations for animal welfare in farming practices. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the methods for controlling storage losses in agricultural produce?

Proper treatment and systematic management of warehouses can control storage losses. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Food Resources

All living organisms need food, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Plants and animals are primary sources of food.
Food production from agriculture and animal husbandry is essential.
India's growing population requires significantly more food.
Increased production efficiency in both crops and livestock is vital.
The green revolution increased grain production.
The white revolution improved milk production.
Intensified agriculture has negative impacts on natural resources.
Sustainable practices in agriculture and animal husbandry are necessary.
Food security depends on both availability and accessibility.
Increased farmer income is essential to combat hunger.

Crop Yields

Cereals (wheat, rice, maize, millets, sorghum) provide carbohydrates.
Pulses (gram, pea, black gram, green gram, pigeon pea, lentil) provide protein.
Oilseeds (soybean, groundnut, sesame, castor, mustard, linseed, sunflower) supply fats.
Vegetables, spices, and fruits provide vitamins and minerals.
Fodder crops like berseem, oats, or sudan grass are used for livestock feed.

Crop Variety Improvement

Finding high-yielding crop varieties resistant to diseases and other factors is essential.
Breeding for desirable traits like disease resistance, fertilizer response, and high yield.
Hybridisation (intervarietal, interspecific, intergeneric) improves crop varieties.
Genetically modified crops also improve traits.
Planting quality seeds is critical for success.

Crop Production Management

Managing nutrients for optimal crop growth is essential.
Maintaining soil fertility involves appropriate application of manure and fertilizers.
The use of biological waste products in manure and compost is beneficial.

Irrigation

Water availability is crucial for successful agriculture.
Wells, canals, rivers, and tanks are used as water sources for irrigation.
River lift systems, tanks, and rainwater harvesting are important water management techniques.

Cropping Patterns

Mixed cropping involves growing different crops simultaneously.
Intercropping involves growing two or more crops in a definite pattern on the same land.
Crop rotation involves growing different crops in sequential cycles to maintain soil fertility.

Crop Protection Management

Weed control, pest control, and disease control are crucial for effective crop management.
Chemical pesticides are commonly used, but excessive use has detrimental effects.
Crop protection practices that minimize environmental impact are preferable.
Using resistant varieties and other preventive methods can help.

Animal Husbandry

Managing animal livestock scientifically includes feeding, breeding, and disease control.
Dairy cattle production involves milk and draft animals.
Specific feed requirements, adequate housing, and disease management are essential.
Improved poultry breeds focus on egg and/or chicken meat production.

Fish Production

Fish are an important protein source.
Fish farming techniques include capture fishing, mariculture, and aquaculture.
Composite fish culture uses multiple fish species within the same pond.
Optimal fish farming practices include consideration of local conditions and environmental impact.

Bee-Keeping

Honey production is widely practiced.
Bee varieties suitable for honey production are essential.
Factors like pasturage (availability of flowers for nectar) influence honey quality.

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Description

Explore the crucial aspects of food resources and crop yields in India. This quiz covers the importance of sustainable practices in agriculture, the impact of the green and white revolutions, and the relationship between food security and farmer income. Test your knowledge on various food sources and their contributions to nutrition.