IMPROVEMENT IN FOOD RESOURCES-QnA

Q1: What is a hybrid variety?

A hybrid variety is a new plant type developed by crossing two different varieties with desirable traits.

Q2: What is the main aim of crop improvement?

The main aim is to enhance crop yield, quality, and resistance to pests and diseases.

Q3: Name any two major nutrients required by plants.

Nitrogen and phosphorus are two major plant nutrients.

Q4: What are manures?

Manures are natural organic materials that enrich the soil with nutrients.

Q5: What is meant by irrigation?

Irrigation is the artificial supply of water to crops at regular intervals.

Q6: Give one example of a Kharif crop.

Paddy is a common example of a Kharif crop.

Q7: What are rabi crops?

Rabi crops are sown in winter and harvested in summer, like wheat and mustard.

Q8: What is apiculture?

Apiculture is the scientific rearing of honey bees for honey and wax production.

Q9: What is aquaculture?

Aquaculture is the rearing of aquatic animals like fish, prawns, and oysters.

Q10: What is poultry farming?

Poultry farming involves raising birds such as hens, ducks, and turkeys for eggs and meat.

Q11: What are weeds?

Weeds are unwanted plants that compete with crops for nutrients and sunlight.

Q12: What is animal husbandry?

Animal husbandry is the science of breeding and caring for domestic animals.

Q13: Name one exotic breed of cattle used in India.

Jersey is an exotic breed commonly used for cross-breeding in India.

Q14: What are biotic factors?

Biotic factors are living components like pests, insects, and weeds that affect crop yield.

Q15: What is vermicompost?

Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich organic manure produced using earthworms.

Q1: What are the differences between manures and fertilizers?

Manures are natural and improve soil texture, while fertilizers are chemical-based and provide specific nutrients quickly.

Q2: Why is crop variety improvement necessary?

To develop crops that give higher yield, resist diseases, and adapt to environmental conditions.

Q3: What is the purpose of crop rotation?

Crop rotation maintains soil fertility and reduces pest infestation.

Q4: How does fish farming help farmers?

It provides an additional source of income and improves nutritional availability through protein-rich food.

Q5: Why are fertilizers preferred over manures sometimes?

Fertilizers supply specific nutrients instantly and increase crop yield faster.

Q6: What are the main types of irrigation systems used in India?

Canal system, tank system, and tube well system are common irrigation methods.

Q7: What are the advantages of mixed cropping?

It reduces the risk of crop failure and improves soil fertility through nutrient sharing.

Q8: Explain the role of hormones in fish breeding.

Hormones are used to induce breeding artificially during non-breeding seasons.

Q9: What are the two types of animal feed?

Roughage and concentrates are the two major types of feed.

Q10: Why is storage of grains important?

Proper storage prevents spoilage due to moisture, pests, and microorganisms.

Q1: What are the various methods of crop production improvement?

The main methods include selection, hybridization, and genetic modification. These help develop varieties with high yield, resistance to pests, and tolerance to environmental stress.

Q2: Describe the factors that affect crop yield.

Crop yield is influenced by genetic factors, soil fertility, irrigation, fertilizers, and pest control measures. Balanced management ensures better production.

Q3: Explain the advantages of animal husbandry.

Animal husbandry provides milk, meat, wool, and labor. It also ensures employment and economic growth for rural people.

Q4: How does proper crop protection management help in better yield?

It prevents damage caused by weeds, pests, and pathogens. Using safe pesticides and biological control methods ensures healthy crops and high yield.

Q5: Discuss the importance of organic farming.

Organic farming maintains ecological balance by avoiding chemicals and promoting the use of compost, biofertilizers, and crop rotation for sustainable agriculture.

Q1: What do we get from cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables?

Cereals give us energy.
Pulses give us proteins.
Fruits and vegetables give us vitamins, minerals, water, and fiber.

Q2: How do biotic and abiotic factors affect crop production?

Biotic factors are living things like insects, weeds, fungi, bacteria, and animals. They may harm crops by causing diseases, eating plants, or competing for sunlight, water, and nutrients. For example, pests can reduce the yield by damaging leaves or grains, and weeds can absorb nutrients needed by crops.

Abiotic factors are non-living things like temperature, water, sunlight, soil quality, and wind. Unfavorable abiotic factors, such as drought, extreme temperatures, poor soil, or floods, can slow down plant growth, lower the harvest, or even destroy the crop completely.

Q3: What are the desirable agronomic characteristics for crop improvements?

Desirable agronomic characteristics include tall and sturdy plants for fodder crops, and short, strong-stemmed plants for cereals that resist lodging. Early maturing varieties, high-yielding capacity, and resistance to drought, pests, and diseases are also important for better crop productivity.

Q4: What are macro-nutrients and why are they called macro nutrients?

Macro-nutrients are essential elements required by plants in large amounts for growth and development. They are called macro-nutrients because plants need them in higher quantities compared to other nutrients. Examples include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

Q5: How do plants get nutrients?

Plants absorb nutrients mainly from the soil through their roots in the form of dissolved minerals and water. They also make their own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water through photosynthesis, while soil nutrients support their overall growth and development.

Q6: Compare the use of manure and fertilizers in maintaining soil fertility.

Basis	Manure	Fertilizer
Definition	Natural organic material from plant/animal waste.	Chemical or inorganic substance rich in nutrients.
Preparation	Made by decomposing crop, animal or farm waste.	Produced industrially in factories.
Nutrient Content	Contains low, balanced nutrients.	Contains high, specific nutrients.
Improvement to Soil	Improves soil texture, aeration and fertility.	Supplies specific nutrients but does not improve soil texture.
Effect on Soil Organisms	Promotes growth of beneficial soil microbes.	Excess use can harm soil organisms.
Cost	Low cost, often available on farms.	Higher cost, needs to be purchased.
Environmental Impact	Environment-friendly, non-polluting.	Overuse may cause soil, water pollution.
Retention of Water	Increases water-holding capacity of soil.	Does not help in water-holding; sometimes reduces it.
Speed of Action	Acts slowly, releases nutrients over time.	Acts quickly, instant boost to crops.
Examples	Compost, farmyard manure, green manure.	Urea, DAP, NPK, superphosphate.

Q7: Which of the following conditions will give the most benefits? Why? (a) Farmers use high-quality seeds, do not adopt irrigation or use fertilizers. (b) Farmers use ordinary seeds, adopt irrigation and use fertilizer. (c) Farmers use quality seeds, adopt irrigation, use fertilizer and use crop protection measures.

Option (c) will give the most benefits because it combines all essential factors needed for healthy crop growth and higher yield. When farmers use good-quality seeds, provide proper irrigation, apply fertilizers, and take crop protection measures, the plants receive balanced nutrients, enough water, and protection from pests and diseases. This integrated approach leads to maximum productivity and ensures sustainable farming compared to the other options.

Q8: Why should preventive measures and biological control methods be preferred for protecting crops?

Preventive measures and biological control methods are preferred because they help avoid pest attacks naturally without harming the environment. These methods maintain ecological balance, reduce chemical pollution, and prevent pests from developing resistance. They ensure safer food production and long-term soil health.

Q9: What factors may be responsible for losses of grains during storage?

Losses of grains during storage occur due to several factors such as moisture, insect infestation, rodents, fungi, and improper storage conditions. These factors lead to spoilage, loss of weight, and reduced quality of grains, making proper drying and airtight storage essential to prevent damage.

Q10: Which method is commonly used for improving cattle breeds and why?

The most common method used for improving cattle breeds is cross-breeding. It involves mating high-yielding exotic breeds with local breeds to combine desirable traits such as better milk production, disease resistance, and adaptability to local conditions. This helps improve the overall quality and productivity of cattle.

Q11: What management practices are common in dairy and poultry farming?

Common management practices in dairy and poultry farming include providing balanced nutrition, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, ensuring proper shelter and ventilation, regular health check-ups, vaccination, and timely breeding. These practices help improve productivity, prevent diseases, and ensure good-quality milk and eggs.

Q12: What are the differences between broilers and layers and in their management?

Broilers are poultry birds raised for meat, while layers are reared for egg production. Broilers need a protein-rich and high-energy diet for fast growth, whereas layers require a balanced diet with calcium for strong eggshells. Broilers are managed for quick growth and early marketing, while layers need long-term care for consistent egg laying.

Q13: Discuss the implications of the following statement: “It is interesting to note that poultry is India’s most efficient converter of low fibre food stuff (which is unfit for human consumption) into highly nutritious animal protein food.”

The statement means that poultry birds can convert cheap and low-fibre feed materials, which humans cannot eat, into valuable and protein-rich food like eggs and meat. This makes poultry farming an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable source of nutrition. It helps reduce food waste and supports food security by providing affordable animal protein.

Q14: How are fish obtained?

Fish are obtained in two main ways : capture fishing and culture fishing. Capture fishing involves catching fish from natural water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans, while culture fishing (or fish farming) involves rearing fish in controlled environments such as ponds or tanks for commercial production.

Q15: What are the advantages of composite fish culture?

Composite fish culture allows different species of fish to be reared together in the same pond without competing for food. It ensures full use of all levels of the pond, increases total fish yield, and provides a balanced harvest of surface, middle, and bottom feeders, making it highly efficient and profitable.

Q16: What are the desirable characters of bee varieties suitable for honey production?

Desirable bee varieties for honey production should have high honey-gathering capacity, good disease resistance, and the ability to breed quickly. They should also be gentle in nature, stay in the hive for long periods, and be able to adapt well to local climatic conditions for consistent honey yield.

Q17: What is pasturage and how is it related to honey production?

Pasturage refers to the type and quality of flowers available to honeybees for collecting nectar and pollen. It directly affects the quantity and flavor of honey produced. Better pasturage with abundant flowering plants provides more nectar, leading to higher and better-quality honey yield.