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Q1. (i) Give three advantages of loosening the soil before sowing the seeds. (ii) Mahesh uses a cultivator for ploughing whereas Satish uses a hoe for ploughing. What advantage does Mahesh have over Satish?

Solution

(i) a. Loosening the soil allows the roots to penetrate deep into the soil. b. The loose soil allows the deeply penetrated roots to breathe easily. c. The loosened soil helps in the growth of earthworms and microbes present in the soil.(ii) Since Mahesh uses the cultivator, he is able to save both labour and time as compared to Satish.
Q2. What is the importance of threshing?

Solution

Threshing is carried out to separate the grain from the chaff in the harvested crop.
Q3. (i) How do weeds affect the crops grown in fields?(ii) What is combine? What is its use?

Solution

(i) Weeds compete with the crop plants for water, nutrients, space and light. Thus, they affect the growth of the crop and reduce the yield of crop plants.(ii) A combine is a combined harvester and thresher. It is used for threshing.
Q4. What is water-logging?

Solution

When too much water is given to the soil, it becomes wet. Water accumulates around the plant. This is called water-logging.
Q5. Why is the harvest season celebrated in different parts of India?

Solution

The sight of golden fields of standing crop, laden with grain, fills the hearts of farmers with joy and a sense of well-being. The efforts of the past season have borne fruit and it is time to relax and enjoy a little. Hence the period of harvest is celebrated with great joy and happiness in all parts of India.
Q6. How are the nutrients present in dead plants and animals absorbed by living plants?

Solution

The dead plants and animals get decomposed by soil organisms. Thus, the various nutrients held in the dead organisms are released back into the soil. These nutrients are then absorbed by plants.
Q7. Fish is a source of which important nutrient?

Solution

Proteins
Q8. (i) Why do damaged seeds float on water?(ii) Mention three advantages of sowing seeds using seed drill?

Solution

(i) Damaged seeds become hollow and are thus lighter. Hence they float on water.(ii) a. A seed drill sows the seeds uniformly at proper distances and depths. b. It ensures that seeds get covered by the soil after sowing, thereby preventing damage caused by birds. c. Sowing by using a seed drill saves time and labour.
Q9. Why is it important to carry out proper animal husbandry?

Solution

Animals reared at home or in farms, have to be provided with proper food, shelter and care. This will ensure good health of the animals. Only then will they be able to provide us with good quality animal products. Hence, we need to carry out proper animal husbandry.
Q10. (i) Discuss the working of sprinkler system of irrigation.(ii) What is water-logging?

Solution

(i) The perpendicular pipes, having rotating nozzles on top, are joined to the main pipeline at regular intervals. When water is allowed to flow through the main pipe under pressure with the help of a pump, it escapes from the rotating nozzles. It gets sprinkled on the crop as if it is raining.(ii) When too much water is given to the soil, it becomes wet. Water accumulates around the plant. This is called water-logging.
Q11. What is the process of transplantation in agriculture? Give examples of two crops which are usually grown by this process.

Solution

The process of removing a plant from the place where it has been growing and replanting it in another is called transplantation. Tomato and paddy are examples of crops grown by transplantation.
Q12. How is fertilizer different from manure in providing plant nutrients?

Solution

Fertilisers contain much higher amount of nutrients in comparison to the manures. The nutrients of manures are released quite slowly whereas fertilizers are readily absorbed by the crop plants.
Q13. How can fertilizers cause death of fishes?

Solution

Sometimes excessive fertilizers get washed away through irrigation and rainfall and reach water bodies like rivers or lakes and pollute them. Thus  the water of water bodies become poisonous to fishes and other aquatic animals and may even kill them.
Q14. Why is it essential to dry the grains properly under the sun before storing them?

Solution

If freshly harvested grains are stored without drying, they may get spoilt or attacked by organisms, losing their germination capacity. Hence, before storing them, the grains are properly dried under the sun to reduce the moisture in them.
Q15. What is broadcasting in agriculture?

Solution

Broadcasting in agriculture implies to the sowing of seeds by hand or manually.
Q16. (i) A farmer has carried out the harvest of his crop. He now wants to store these grains for a month before selling them to an appropriate buyer. What steps should he take for this?(ii) How the lowering of temperature helps in increasing the shelf-life of food?

Solution

(i) The farmer needs to carry out the following steps in order to ensure safe storage of food grains: a. The fresh crop should be properly dried in the sun to reduce the moisture in them so as to prevent the attack by insect pests, bacteria and fungi. b. The grains should be stored in jute bags or metallic bins to protect them from pests. c. Specific chemical treatments are required for storing large quantities of grains in big godowns to protect them from pests and microorganisms.(ii) Lowering of temperature slows down the growth of bacteria, yeast and moulds, and inhibits the action of enzymes present in the food material.
Q17. Which two essential elements are supplied to crop plants through irrigation?

Solution

Hydrogen and oxygen are supplied to crop plants through irrigation.
Q18. Why is it important to loosen the soil before sowing the seeds?

Solution

Loosening the soil allows the roots of crops to penetrate deep into the soil and allows the roots to breathe easily.
Q19. Rohan saw his grandmother putting some dried neem leaves in an iron drum containing wheat. Why do you think she did this?

Solution

Dried neem leaves prevent attack by insect pests, bacteria and fungi. So, they are used for storing food grains at home. This is why Rohan’s grandmother put some dried neem leaves in an iron drum containing wheat.
Q20. (i) What is winnowing? (ii) How is winnowing done?(iii) What is the function of combine?

Solution

(i) The process of separating grain from chaff and hay with the help of wind is called winnowing. (ii) When the grain mixed with chaff and hay is made to fall from a height in blowing wind, the grain, being heavy, falls straight to the ground, whereas the chaff and hay, being much lighter, are carried some distance away by the wind. In this way, the grains form a separate heap and can be collected and packed in gunny bags. (iii) A combine is a huge machine which cuts the standing cereal crop (like wheat) in the fields, threshes it and separates the chaff from grain in one operation.
Q21. Mention three advantages of sowing seeds using seed drill?

Solution

a. A seed drill sows the seeds uniformly at proper distances and depths. b. It ensures that seeds get covered by the soil after sowing, thereby preventing damage caused by birds. c. Sowing by using a seed drill saves time and labour.
Q22. Describe the nutrient composition of animal foods in general.

Solution

Generally, food stuff obtained from animal sources is rich in proteins and fats. It also contains certain minerals and vitamins. Animal foods provide certain proteins which are absent in plant foods. Animal foods are low in carbohydrate content.
Q23. (i) Why honey is used in Ayurvedic medicines?(ii) What is apiculture? Name the product produced by this process.

Solution

(i) Honey is used in Ayurvedic medicines as it is rich in sugars, minerals and enzymes.(ii) The rearing of honey-bees on large scale is called apiculture. Honey is produced by rearing honey-bees.
Q24. How are grains stored in gunny bags or bins?

Solution

The grains are dried in the sun to remove as much moisture as possible. They are then weighed and packed in gunny bags or bins.
Q25. When would one expect to find large crumbs of soil in the field?

Solution

The soil breaks up into large chunks of mud called crumbs after ploughing if the soil is very dry.
Q26. A farmer adds some fertilizer to the soil. How is irrigation helpful in the uptake of fertilizer by the plants?

Solution

Fertilisers are readily soluble in water due to which they dissolve in the irrigation water. Along with water, the dissolved fertilizers are also absorbed by the plant roots.
Q27. Name two poultry animals other than hen and chicken.

Solution

Duck and turkey
Q28. At which stages do wheat fields require irrigation?

Solution

Wheat requires irrigation at three stages: Before the field is ploughed At the time of flowering At the time of grain development
Q29. Differentiate between kharif and rabi crops.

Solution

Kharif Crops Rabi Crops i. The crop which are sown in teh rainy season are called kharif crops. i. The crops grown in the winter season are called rabi crops. ii. The rainy season in India is generally from Junte to September. ii. Their time period is generally from October to March. Example - Paddy. Example - Wheat
Q30. Name a government organisation which helps store food grains on a large scale.

Solution

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) buys grains from farmers on a large scale and stores them.
Q31. A farmer puts the seeds of a particular crop in a bowl of water for separating the viable and damaged seeds from each other. What is the advantage of this method?

Solution

This method helps to easily identify and obtain the viable seeds without damaging them.
Q32. How are modern methods of irrigation more efficient than traditional methods?

Solution

Modern methods of irrigation help us use water economically, thereby conserving water. In addition, such methods help save time and labour. Hence, they are more efficient than traditional methods of irrigation.
Q33. How does irrigation of crop fields help in seed germination?

Solution

Seeds do not germinate under dry conditions. Irrigation of crop fields provides sufficient moisture for the germination of seeds.
Q34. Discuss two advantages of drip irrigation system.

Solution

a. It is the best technique for watering fruit plants, gardens and trees in regions of water scarcity. b. Since water is supplied drop by drop at the position of the roots, there is no water wastage.
Q35. What is the branch of animal husbandry which deals with the rearing of bees for honey known as?

Solution

Apiculture
Q36. List the various activities included in agricultural practices.

Solution

The activities included in agricultural practices: i. Preparation of soil ii. Sowing iii. Adding manure and fertilizers iv. Irrigation v. Protection from weeds vi. Harvesting vii. Storage
Q37. Why is it that people in India have access to large amounts of fish?

Solution

India has a lengthy coastline and numerous inland water spreads. Hence, fishing can be carried out in all these areas. This leads to availability of large amounts of fish for people in India.
Q38. Harikishan was inspired by new practices and technologies invented for better crop production. He used many chemical fertilisers in order to get more production in less area. Shamarao, a neighbour, was also following Harikishan, but he used manure and natural waste as manure. Who according to you will have better production and better soil condition? Give reason to support your answer.

Solution

Shamarao will have better crop production. Organic manure is considered better than fertilisers because
  • It enhances the water-holding capacity of soil.
  • It makes soil porous due to which the exchange of gases becomes easy.
  • It improves soil texture.
  • Chemical fertilisers are rich in one type of nutrients and overutilisation of chemical fertilisers can harm soil organisms and affect soil texture.
    Q39. What is the branch of animal husbandry which deals with the rearing and breeding of fish known as?

    Solution

    Pisciculture 
    Q40. How do soil organisms help farmers in agricultural practices? Explain with two examples.

    Solution


  • Nitrogenous organisms help in nitrogen fixation making it available for crop plants.
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  • Decomposers are organisms which break down complex substances into simpler forms which make available nitrates, sulphates and phosphates as well as other essential elements. These elements also add humus to the soil which increases soil fertility and texture.


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