Improvement in food resources-F-MCQ

Crop rotation depends mainly on the availability of moisture. Farmers plan which crops to grow in a rotation based on the water availability in their region. Crops with different water requirements are rotated to match the seasonal availability of rainfall or irrigation water.
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Excessive use of pesticides can cause environmental pollution. Pesticides can contaminate soil, water bodies, and air. They can also harm beneficial organisms like pollinators, natural pest predators, and soil micro-organisms. Overuse of pesticides is a serious environmental concern.
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Crop rotation means growing crops in a pre-planned succession on the same land. Different crops are grown in a specific order over several seasons. This practice helps maintain soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and improve overall crop productivity.
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In areas close to rivers, irrigation water is obtained by directly drawing water from the rivers. Farmers use pumps or canals to divert river water to their fields. This is a convenient and reliable source of water for irrigation in riverine areas.
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Mixed cropping mainly helps in reducing the risk of crop failure. By growing two or more crops together, farmers spread their risk. If one crop fails due to pests, diseases, or adverse weather, the other crops may survive, providing some income and food security.
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Use of resistant varieties helps in controlling pests. Pest-resistant crop varieties have genetic traits that make them less susceptible to insect attacks and diseases. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides and lowers crop losses due to pests.
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Crop rotation results in good harvests. By rotating crops, soil fertility is maintained, nutrient depletion is reduced, and pest and disease cycles are broken. This leads to healthier crops and better yields over the long term.
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Proper seed bed preparation is a preventive method of weed control. Preparing the soil well before sowing helps to kill weed seeds and seedlings. This reduces weed competition early in the crop’s growth, giving the crop a better start.
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Inter-cropping ensures maximum utilisation of nutrients. Different crops have different nutrient requirements and root depths. Growing them together allows efficient use of soil nutrients from different layers, reducing competition and improving overall productivity.
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Inter-cropping helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Growing different crops together disrupts the life cycles of pests and pathogens, making it harder for them to spread. This natural pest control reduces the need for chemical pesticides.
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Proper crop rotation allows farmers to grow two or three crops in a year. By carefully selecting crops with different growing seasons and durations, farmers can maximize land use and increase overall productivity throughout the year.
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In inter-cropping, rows of crops are arranged in alternate rows of different crops. For example, a row of maize might be followed by a row of soyabean. This arrangement ensures that the two crops grow together without competing excessively.
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Fish has the highest protein content among common animal products. Fish is an excellent source of high-quality protein and also provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. It is an important part of a balanced diet.
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Weeds compete with crops for food (nutrients), space, and light. Weeds grow alongside crops and use up resources that the crops need. This competition reduces crop growth and yields, which is why weed control is essential.
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Plant diseases are caused by pathogens, which are disease-causing organisms. Pathogens include fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. They infect plants and cause diseases that can reduce yields or even kill the plants.
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Weeds reduce crop growth mainly by taking up nutrients from the soil. They compete with crops for essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This competition limits the availability of nutrients for the crops, reducing their growth and yields.
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Check-dams help in increasing groundwater. They are small barriers built across streams or gullies to slow down the flow of water. This allows water to percolate into the ground, recharging groundwater aquifers and increasing the water table.
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Minerals are present in very small amounts in milk. While milk is a good source of calcium, it contains only trace amounts of other minerals like iron and zinc. Milk is rich in protein, fat, and carbohydrates (lactose) but has low mineral content.
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The choice of the next crop after harvest is often decided by irrigation facilities. If irrigation is available, farmers can grow crops that require more water. If irrigation is limited, they may choose crops that are more drought-tolerant. Water availability is a key factor in crop selection.
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Weeds are defined as unwanted plants that grow where they are not desired. They compete with crops for resources and reduce agricultural productivity. Weeds can be native or introduced species that have become invasive.
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Tanks are mainly used for storing run-off water. They are constructed to capture rainwater that runs off from surrounding areas during the rainy season. The stored water is used for irrigation during dry periods, especially in areas with limited groundwater.
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Insect pests damage crops by boring into stems and fruits. Insects like stem borers and fruit borers tunnel inside plant parts, causing direct damage and making the plants vulnerable to diseases. This reduces the quality and quantity of the harvest.
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Removal of weeds is essential at the early growth stage. During this stage, crops are small and vulnerable, and weeds compete strongly for resources. Early weed removal gives the crops a competitive advantage, allowing them to establish and grow well.
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Meat contains the highest fat percentage among common animal products. Different cuts of meat have varying fat content, but meat generally has more fat than fish, milk, or eggs. Fat content varies depending on the type of meat and the cut.
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Soyabean + maize is an example of inter-cropping. In inter-cropping, two or more crops are grown simultaneously on the same land in a definite pattern. Soyabean and maize are often grown together because they have different growth habits and complement each other.
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The combination of quality seeds with irrigation, fertilizers, and crop protection gives the most benefits to farmers. Good seeds, adequate water, proper nutrition, and protection from pests and diseases work together to maximize yields and profits.
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Insect pests attack plants in four main ways: (1) chewing and eating leaves, stems, and roots, (2) sucking sap from plant tissues, (3) boring into stems and fruits, and (4) laying eggs that damage plant parts. Understanding these methods helps in effective pest control.
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Fish is a good source of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin). It also provides vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are essential for energy metabolism, nerve function, and overall health.
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Summer ploughing helps to destroy weeds and pests. Ploughing the soil during hot summer months exposes weed seeds, insect eggs, and pupae to the sun, killing them. This reduces pest and weed populations for the next crop season.
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One major benefit of check-dams is the reduction of soil erosion. By slowing down the flow of water, check-dams prevent soil from being washed away. This helps conserve topsoil and maintain soil fertility.
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Mixed cropping means growing two or more crops together on the same piece of land. The crops are grown without a definite row pattern. This practice reduces the risk of crop failure and provides diversity in production.
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One way insect pests damage crops is by cutting roots, stems, and leaves. Insects like cutworms and leaf-eating caterpillars directly feed on plant tissues, causing physical damage and reducing the plant’s ability to grow and produce.
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Inter-cropping and crop rotation help mainly in controlling weeds. Different crops have different growth patterns and competitive abilities, which can suppress weed growth. Crop rotation also breaks weed life cycles, reducing weed populations over time.
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Pesticides are a commonly used method for controlling weeds and pests. They include insecticides (for insects), herbicides (for weeds), and fungicides (for fungi). While effective, they must be used carefully to avoid environmental damage.
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Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) is a common example of a weed. It is an invasive plant that grows rapidly and competes with crops for resources. Parthenium also causes allergies in humans and animals.
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Pesticides include herbicides (for weed control), insecticides (for insect control), and fungicides (for fungal disease control). Each type targets a specific category of pests and helps protect crops from damage.
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Inter-cropping helps both crops to give better returns. By making efficient use of resources like nutrients, light, and water, inter-cropping increases overall productivity. This results in higher total income for farmers compared to growing a single crop.
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Pathogens can spread through soil, water, and air. Some pathogens live in the soil and infect plant roots, others are carried by water or splashing rain, and some are transmitted through the air as spores. This is why disease management requires a multi-pronged approach.
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Wheat + gram is an example of mixed cropping. In mixed cropping, two or more crops are grown together on the same land without a definite row pattern. Wheat and gram are often grown together because they have different growth habits and complement each other.
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A virus is a plant pathogen. Plant pathogens include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes. They cause diseases in plants and can significantly reduce crop yields. Viruses are submicroscopic infectious agents that can be transmitted through insects, seeds, or mechanical means.
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Pesticides are applied by spraying them on plants, or by treating seeds and soil before planting. Spraying protects the growing crop, while seed and soil treatments protect the plant from early-stage pests and diseases.
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Tanks intercept run-off from smaller catchment areas. They are built on small streams or in depressions to capture water flowing from nearby hills or fields. This water is then used for irrigation during the dry season.
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Rainwater harvesting helps to increase the water available for agriculture. By capturing and storing rainwater, farmers can irrigate their crops even during dry periods. This reduces dependence on unreliable rainfall and improves crop yields.
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Mixed cropping provides insurance against the failure of one crop. If one crop fails due to pests, diseases, or adverse weather, the other crop may survive. This reduces the risk of total crop loss and provides some income and food security.
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Mechanical weed control involves manual removal of weeds by hand or using tools like hoes and cultivators. It is a physical method of weed control that does not involve chemicals. It is labour-intensive but effective for small farms.
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Mixed cropping is done on the same piece of land. Two or more crops are grown together in the same field, without any definite pattern. This allows farmers to maximize the use of land and resources.
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Inter-cropping involves growing crops in a definite pattern, usually in alternating rows. For example, one row of maize followed by one row of soyabean. This structured arrangement ensures that the crops do not compete excessively for resources.
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Crops selected for inter-cropping should have different nutrient requirements. This ensures that they do not compete for the same nutrients. For example, a legume (which fixes nitrogen) can be grown with a cereal (which uses nitrogen) to maintain soil fertility.
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Watershed management mainly involves building check-dams. These small barriers help conserve water, reduce soil erosion, and recharge groundwater. Check-dams are an effective way to manage water resources at the watershed level.
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Another way insect pests damage plants is by sucking cell sap. Insects like aphids, whiteflies, and leafhoppers pierce plant tissues and suck out the sap. This weakens the plant, reduces its growth, and can transmit diseases.Close