Crop Production and Management Class 8 Notes & MCQs

08-07-2024 19:05 PM IST Priyanka Chaudhary

In the chapter “Crop Production and Management” different types of crops in India- Rabi and Kharif crops and basic steps of crop production are discussed. At the end of Class 8 Science Chapter 1 notes there are sample MCQs which one should not leave.

Birth of agriculture

Till 10,000 B.C.E. people were nomadic. This means that they were wandering in groups from place to place in search of food and shelter. Later, agriculture was born.

Crop

When plants of the same kind are cultivated at one place on a large scale, it is called a crop. The crops can be classified on the basis of the season in which they grow. In India, crops can be broadly categorised into two types given in the following table.

Basic agricultural practices/basic steps of crop production

The process of crop production involves a number of steps like selection of seeds, sowing, etc.

(1) Preparation of soil

It is necessary to prepare soil by tilling through ploughs and by levelling through levelers. Tilling or ploughing is the process of loosening and turning of the soil. Tilling has following benefits.

• Ensures deep penetration of roots into the soil.
• Helps in the growth of earthworms and microbes present in the soil and called friends of farmers since they further turn and loosen the soil and add humus to it.
• Brings the nutrient-rich soil to the top

The ploughed field may have big clumps of soil called crumbs. Before sowing the seeds, it is necessary to break soil clumps through plough, hoe and cultivator to get better yield

(2) Sowing

Sowing of seeds at appropriate depths and distances gives good yield. Good varieties of seeds are sown after selection of healthy seeds. Sowing is done by seed drills. While sowing, appropriate distance between the seeds avoids overcrowding of plants and allows plants to get sufficient sunlight, nutrients and water from the soil.

(3) Adding manure and fertilisers

Soil needs replenishment and enrichment through the use of organic manure and fertilisers.

• Manure: Manure is an organic substance obtained from the decomposition of plant or animal wastes. Manure is considered better than fertilisers. Its advantages are given below.

• Fertilisers: Fertilisers are chemicals which are rich in a particular nutrient. Some examples of fertilisers are— urea, ammonium sulphate, super phosphate, potash, NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium). Fertiliser does not provide any humus to the soil.  Use of chemical fertilisers has increased tremendously with the introduction of new crop varieties.
• Crop rotation: It is another method of replenishing the soil with nutrients. In crop rotation, different crops are grown alternately.

Difference between Manure and Fertilizer

(4) Irrigation

Supply of water to crops at appropriate intervals is called irrigation. Wells, tubewells, ponds, lakes, rivers, dams and canals are sources of irrigation for water. Moat (pulley-system), chain pump, dhekli and rahat (Lever system) are traditional methods (ways) of irrigation. Sprinkler system and drip system are modern methods of irrigation. Following table provides a brief comparison of these modern methods of irrigation.

Difference between Drip Irrigation and Sprinkler irrigation

(5) Protecting from weeds

Weeding involves the removal of unwanted and uncultivated plants called weeds. Weeds compete with the crop plants for water, nutrients, space, and light and affect the growth of the crop. Weeds are removed manually with the help of Khurpi or controlled by using certain chemicals, called weedicides, like 2, 4-D. Tilling also helps in control of weeds.

(6) Harvesting

Harvesting is the cutting of the mature crop manually or by machines. Separation of the grains from the chaff is called threshing. Farmers with small holdings of land do the separation of grain and chaff by winnowing. Pongal, Baisakhi, Holi, Diwali, Nabanya and Bihu are special festivals associated with the harvest season.

(7) Storage

Proper storage of grains is necessary to protect them from pests and microorganisms. Dried neem leaves are used for storing food grains at home.

Animal husbandry: Food is also obtained from animals for which animals are reared. This is called animal husbandry.

Chapter 1 – Crop Production and Management Class 8 Questions and Answers (MCQs)

1. Which of the following is not an example of Rabi crop?

a. Paddy

b. Maize

c. Mustard

d. Soybean

Correct Ans. c

Explanation:

Mustard is not an example of Rabi crop. Paddy, maize and soyabean are example of Rabi crop. In India, crops can be broadly categorised into two types given in the following table.

2. Which of the following is not an example of Kharif crop?

a. Wheat

b. Paddy

c. Gram

c. Pea

Correct Ans. b

Explanation:

Paddy is not an example of a Kharif crop. Wheat, Gram, Pea, Mustard and Linseed are examples of Kharif crops.

Q3. Which of the following methods of irrigation is best for watering fruit plants, gardens and trees?

a. Sprinkler system

b. Drip System

c. Moat

d. Chain Pump

Correct Ans. b

Explanation:

Drip System is best for watering fruit plants, gardens and trees.

Q4. Which of the following is not an advantage of manure?

a. Manure enhances the water holding capacity of the soil.

b. Manure makes the soil porous due to which exchange of gases becomes easy.

c. Manure increases the number of friendly microbes.

d. Manure does not provide any humus to the soil.

Correct Ans. d

Manures are considered better for the soil than fertilizers as manure increases the water holding capacity of soil and provides humus to the soil.

The above CBSE Class 8 Science Chapter 1 notes will ease your preparation and help you save time. Go through it before the exam in order to revise your chapter.