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Practice Questions with Solutions: Improvement in Food Resources

  1. Give one example of plant source which provides protein.
    Ans: Pulses, for example lentils (masoor) or chickpea (gram).
  2. Give one example of animal source which provides carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
    Ans: Milk - it contains carbohydrates (lactose), proteins and fats.
  3. When are Kharif crops sown ?
    Ans: Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the monsoon, typically in June-July.
  4. Name the oldest method of crop improvement.
    Ans: Selection - choosing and saving seeds from the best plants is the oldest method of crop improvement.
  5. Give one example each of kharif and rabi crops.
    Ans: Kharif: rice. Rabi: wheat.
  6. What is fertigation?
    Ans: Fertigation is the application of dissolved fertiliser through the irrigation system so nutrients reach the crop with water.
  7. What is irrigation?
    Ans: Irrigation is the artificial supply of water to crops when rainfall is insufficient for proper growth.
  8. Define the trickle irrigation ?
    Ans: Trickle irrigation, or drip irrigation, supplies water drop by drop directly to the plant root zone through pipes and emitters to save water and reduce evaporation.
  9. Name one crop which can tolerate waterlogging in the field and one which cannot.
    Ans: Can tolerate: rice. Cannot tolerate: wheat.
  10. At what time is irrigation required by all crops ?
    Ans: Irrigation is needed when soil moisture falls below the crop requirement, especially at germination and during flowering and fruiting stages.
  11. Define water logging.
    Ans: Water logging is the condition when excess water accumulates in soil, raising the water table and reducing air in the root zone, which harms plant growth.
  12. Why we should adopt crop rotation ?
    Ans: Crop rotation helps maintain soil fertility, reduces build-up of pests and diseases, and improves long-term crop yields.
  13. State any two advantages of mixed cropping.
    Ans: (i) It gives more stable and often higher total yield per unit area.
    (ii) It reduces spread of pests and risks from crop failure.
  14. Why are legumes desirable in crop rotation ?
    Ans: Legumes improve soil fertility by increasing available nitrogen in the soil through their root associations, thus helping following crops.
  15. Define intercropping.
    Ans: Intercropping is growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field during a single growing season to use resources efficiently.
  16. Give one example of mixed cropping.
    Ans: Maize mixed with black gram (maize + moong) is an example of mixed cropping.
  17. Mention one criterion for selection of the mixed crops.
    Ans: Crops should have different growth habits or resource needs (for example different root depths or maturity periods) so they do not compete strongly.
  18. Mention one advantage of intercropping.
    Ans: It increases total production per unit area by utilising space, light and nutrients more effectively.
  19. Write two common weeds found in the field. How can weeds be controlled ?
    Ans: Common weeds: Parthenium and Cynodon (doob grass). Weeds can be controlled by mechanical weeding (hand pulling), cultural methods (mulching, timely sowing), biological control and selective herbicides.
  20. Define pesticide and Herbicide.
    Ans: Pesticide: a chemical or biological agent used to kill or control pests.
    Herbicide: a chemical substance specifically used to kill or inhibit unwanted plants (weeds).
  21. Write the two example fungicide.
    Ans: Bordeaux mixture and copper oxychloride are two commonly used fungicides.
  22. Write the full form of 2,4-D, MCPA.
    Ans: 2,4-D: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.
    MCPA: 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid.
  23. Name one seed borne disease.
    Ans: Bunt (a seed-borne disease) of wheat caused by fungi such as Tilletia species.
  24. How do biotic and abiotic factors affect crop production ?
    Ans: Biotic factors (pests, diseases, weeds) reduce yield by damaging plants. Abiotic factors (drought, temperature extremes, salinity, waterlogging) affect plant growth and productivity by creating unfavourable growing conditions.
  25. What are the desirable agronomic characteristics for crop improvements ?
    Ans: Desirable traits include high yield, disease and pest resistance, drought or flood tolerance, early maturity and good quality produce (grain size, taste).
  26. What are macro-nutrients and why are they so called ?
    Ans: Macro-nutrients are plant nutrients needed in relatively large amounts, for example nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). They are so called because plants require them in greater quantities than micro-nutrients.
  27. Why should preventive measures and biological control methods be preferred for protecting crops ?
    Ans: They are eco-friendly, reduce chemical residues, help maintain beneficial organisms and are sustainable ways to reduce pest and disease damage.
  28. What factors may be responsible for losses of grains during storage ?
    Ans: Losses occur due to insects and pests, rodents, fungal growth from high moisture, improper storage structures, poor sanitation and spillage.
  29. How does the use of fertilisers improve crop production ?
    Ans: Fertilisers supply essential nutrients quickly to plants, correcting deficiencies and enabling better growth and higher yields.
  30. How do insect-pests attack the crops ?
    Ans: Insect pests attack by chewing leaves or stems, sucking sap, boring into stems or fruits, and by transmitting diseases, all of which reduce yield and quality.
  31. Write two advantages of using chemical fertilisers over manure.
    Ans: (i) They supply nutrients quickly and in known concentrations.
    (ii) They are less bulky and easier to transport and apply in measured doses.
  32. Though fertilisers increase crop production, they are to be used in limited amount. Why ?
    Ans: Excessive use can damage soil health, cause nutrient imbalance, pollute water by leaching and harm plants, animals and human health.
  33. Why is chemical method of controlling pests not considered good ?
    Ans: Chemical control can harm non-target organisms, lead to pest resistance, leave harmful residues and pollute the environment, so it is not always desirable alone.
  34. What are the various ways of controlling weeds ?
    Ans: Mechanical methods (hand weeding, hoeing), cultural methods (mulching, crop rotation), biological control (using natural enemies) and chemical control (herbicides).
  35. What are the advantages of using manures ?
    Ans: Manures add organic matter, improve soil structure and water-holding capacity, and release nutrients slowly to sustain plant growth.
  36. Why do we irrigate our crops ?
    Ans: To provide water when rainfall is insufficient so crops can grow properly and give good yield.
  37. Name the nutrients which plants get from air, water and soil.
    Ans: From air: carbon (as CO₂) and oxygen. From water: hydrogen and oxygen. From soil: mineral nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
  38. Why are kharif crops more susceptible to infestation than the rabi crops ?
    Ans: Kharif crops grow during warm, humid monsoon months, conditions that favour pests and diseases; rabi crops grow in cooler, drier weather which is less favourable for many pests.
  39. How do moisture and temperature affect the life of food materials ?
    Ans: High moisture and higher temperature speed up microbial growth and chemical changes, causing faster spoilage; low moisture and low temperature slow down these processes and extend shelf life.
  40. Why is it necessary to increase the production of crops ?
    Ans: To feed a growing population, ensure food security, provide raw materials and improve farmers' incomes.
  41. What are the basic objectives of mixed cropping ?
    Ans: To increase total production per unit area, reduce risk of crop failure, improve resource use and reduce pest and disease incidence.
  42. State any two advantages of mixed cropping.
    Ans: (i) Better use of land and resources gives higher combined yield.
    (ii) It reduces vulnerability to pests, diseases and weather-related failures.
  43. Compare the use of manures and fertilisers in maintaing soil fertility.
    Ans: Manures supply nutrients slowly and improve soil structure and organic matter, supporting long-term fertility. Fertilisers supply concentrated nutrients quickly and correct specific deficiencies but do not improve soil organic matter; long-term reliance without organics can reduce soil health.
  44. Explain any one method of crop production which ensures high yields.
    Ans: Use of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) combined with proper irrigation, balanced fertilisation and pest management ensures high yields by providing improved genetics plus favourable growing conditions.
  45. What are the advantages of intercropping and crop rotation ?
    Ans: Intercropping improves land use, increases total yield and reduces pests. Crop rotation maintains or improves soil fertility, breaks pest and disease cycles and can reduce weed problems.
  46. What is genetic manipulation ? How is it useful in agricultural practices ?
    Ans: Genetic manipulation is changing the genetic makeup of plants to obtain desired traits. It is useful to develop varieties with higher yield, pest or disease resistance, improved quality or tolerance to adverse conditions.
  47. How do storage grain losses occur ?
    Ans: Losses occur from insect and rodent attack, fungal spoilage due to moisture, poor storage structures, infestation during storage and improper handling.
  48. What are the various ways of controlling weeds ?
    Ans: Methods include mechanical removal (weeding), cultural practices (mulching, proper sowing time), biological control (using natural enemies), and chemical control with selective herbicides.
  49. What are the advantages of using manures ?
    Ans: Manures improve soil texture and structure, increase organic matter and microbial activity, and supply nutrients slowly for sustained crop growth.
  50. Differentiate between fumigation and spraying.
    Ans: Fumigation uses gaseous chemicals to disinfect enclosed spaces or stored grain against insects and pests. Spraying applies liquid chemical formulations directly onto crops or surfaces to control pests; fumigation is used for enclosed storage while spraying is used in fields.
  51. Explain how excessive use of nitrate fertilisers in agricultural fields affect human life.
    Ans: Excess nitrates can leach into groundwater and contaminate drinking water, causing health risks such as methaemoglobinaemia ("blue baby" syndrome) in infants and contributing to algal blooms and water pollution.
  52. How does manure differ from chemical fertiliser ? Mention two advantages of using chemical fertilisers over manure ?
    Ans: Manure is organic, releases nutrients slowly and improves soil structure; chemical fertiliser is inorganic, supplies nutrients in concentrated and readily available forms. Two advantages of chemical fertilisers: (i) they provide nutrients quickly in known amounts, and (ii) they are easier to transport, store and apply in precise doses.
The document Practice Questions with Solutions: Improvement in Food Resources is a part of the Class 9 Course Science Class 9.
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FAQs on Practice Questions with Solutions: Improvement in Food Resources

1. What are the different factors affecting food production?
Ans. There are several factors that affect food production. Some of the key factors include availability of water, quality of soil, climate conditions, availability of seeds and fertilizers, and agricultural practices adopted by farmers. These factors play a crucial role in determining the quantity and quality of food produced.
2. How can we increase food production to meet the growing population?
Ans. To increase food production and meet the growing population, various strategies can be adopted. These include implementing modern agricultural practices such as using high-yielding crop varieties, efficient irrigation techniques, proper pest and disease management, and effective use of fertilizers. Additionally, promoting sustainable farming methods, providing farmers with access to credit and technology, and improving infrastructure can also contribute to increased food production.
3. What are the advantages of organic farming?
Ans. Organic farming has several advantages. Firstly, it promotes the use of natural fertilizers and pesticides, reducing the environmental impact of chemical-based farming. It also helps in maintaining soil fertility and biodiversity. Organic farming practices also result in healthier and safer food products as they are free from chemical residues. Furthermore, organic farming supports rural livelihoods by providing employment opportunities and promotes sustainable agriculture.
4. What is the role of biotechnology in improving food resources?
Ans. Biotechnology plays a significant role in improving food resources. It involves the use of genetic engineering techniques to develop genetically modified crops with desirable traits such as resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stress. This technology helps in increasing crop yield, improving nutritional content, and reducing post-harvest losses. Biotechnology also contributes to the development of drought-resistant and salt-tolerant crop varieties, which are crucial in combating climate change and ensuring food security.
5. How can food wastage be reduced?
Ans. Food wastage can be reduced through various measures. Firstly, raising awareness about the importance of minimizing wastage can help in changing consumer behavior. Proper storage and preservation techniques can be adopted to extend the shelf life of food. Implementing efficient supply chain management systems can reduce losses during transportation and distribution. Additionally, promoting the concept of "farm-to-fork" can help in reducing wastage by ensuring that food is consumed locally and not wasted in the process of long-distance transportation.
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