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All living organisms require food for their growth and survival. The food supplies carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The two major sources of food are the plants and animals which are obtained from agriculture and animal husbandry. 

Introduction - Improvement in Food Resources | Science Class 9

  • In the present time due to the tremendous increase of human population, the demand for food and shelter are also increased.
  • Higher grain output can be achieved by bringing more land under cultivation. The other possibility is to increase production efficiency of both plants and animals. Increase in production can be brought about by the development and use of improved varieties with high yield and better managerial practices (both pre and post-harvest).
  • It is important that food production should be increased without degrading our environment and disturbing the natural balance. This is possible through genetic improvement of crop plants (a second green revolution) domesticated animals adopting sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry.

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What are the two major sources of food for living organisms?
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Different Types of Crops

Types of CropTypes of Crop

A. On the basis of Nutrients they provide

(i) Cereals: These are rich in carbohydrates and thus provide energy.

Example: Rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, barley, millets.

(ii) Pulses: These are rich in protein and thus helpful for bodybuilding.

Example: Gram, moong, pea, lentil, and, pigeon pea.

(iii) Oilseed Crops: These are rich in oil and fatty acids.

Example: Groundnut, sunflower, soya bean, mustard, sesame.

(iv) Vegetable Crops: These provide vitamins, minerals along with small quantities of carbohydrates, protein and oils.

  • Leaves: Cabbage, spinach, Trigonella, lettuce
  • Roots: Carrot, radish, turnip, sweet potato
  • Stems: Potato, corms, rhizomes (ginger)
  • Bulbs: Onion, garlic
  • Fruits: Tomato, brinjal, gourd, cucumber
  • Flowers: Cauliflower, Bauhinia, banana

(v) Spices: They are used for enhancing palatability.

Example: Chilly, black pepper, ginger, turmeric.

(vi) Fodder Crops: These provide green fodder to the cattle.

Example: Berseem, sorghum, maize, oat, sudangrass, alfalfa.

B. On the basis of season in which they are grown

(i) Kharif crop: Grown in rainy season (from June to October)

 Example: Paddy, Soya bean, Arhar, Maize, Cotton, Urad, Moong etc.

(ii) Rabi crop: grown in summer season (November to April)

 Example: Wheat, Gram, Peas, Mustard, Linseed

They are also called “summer season crop”.

To obtain higher yield from farmland following three systems are being used

Introduction - Improvement in Food Resources | Science Class 9

Crop Variety Improvement

The first and foremost important step to improve the crop yield is to improve the variety of crop which has following characteristics i.e. crop variety improvement is done for the following purposes:

  1. Higher yield.
  2. Better quality.
  3. Biotic & abiotic resistance i.e. disease, insects & pest resistance.
  4. Desirable agronomic characters for specific crops like dwarfness, intensive branching, more tillering & increased fertiliser responsiveness.
  5. Wider adaptability: developed improved crops help in stabilizing crop production under different climatic conditions.
  6. Early maturation(ripening)
  7. Better response to fertilisers.

Crop variety can be improved by plant breeding. Plant breeding can be done either by selection or hybridisation

Crop Production Management

Crop Production MangementCrop Production Mangement

(i) Nutrient Requirement

There are two types of nutrients required by the plants

  • (a) Macronutrients: needed by the plants in large amount. E.g.- N2, P, K, Ca, Mg, S
  • (b) Micronutrients: needed by the plants in very small amount.e.g. - Fe, Cu, Zn, Bo, Mo, Cl.

Sources of plant nutrients:

  • Air: Carbon, Oxygen
  • Water: Hydrogen
  • Soil: N2, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Bo, Zn, Co, Mo, Cl

“Most important nutrients needed for growth of plants are N2, P, and K”

Bio-Fertilisers: Living beings used to increase the soil fertility are called bio-fertilisers.

Example: Anabaena, Nostoc, Rhizobium, Blue-green algae, Azollaetc etc.

(ii) Irrigation

 The technique of providing water to the crops in the fields by means of Canals, Reservoir, Wells and Tube-wells etc is called irrigation.

(iii) Cropping Pattern

Following ways of growing crops can be used to give maximum benefits:

1. Mixed cropping

2. Inter cropping

3. Crop rotation

Question for Introduction - Improvement in Food Resources
Try yourself:
Which crop is rich in carbohydrates and provides energy?
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Crop Protection Management

It includes protection of the growing crops and harvested crops. Weeds, insects, pests and diseases infest the field crops. It can be controlled by adopting following methods:-

  • To grow resistant verities.
  • Optimum time of sowing the crops.
  • Crop rotation and cropping systems.
  • Deep ploughing in summers to kill weeds, pathogen etc. i.e. summer ploughing.

Organic Farming

Organic farming avoids the use of synthetically compound fertilizers, pesticides. Organic farming rely upon crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, off farm organic wastes, biological pest control.

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FAQs on Introduction - Improvement in Food Resources - Science Class 9

1. What are the different types of crops?
Ans. The different types of crops can be categorized into three main groups: food crops, cash crops, and fodder crops. Food crops are grown primarily for human consumption, such as rice, wheat, and vegetables. Cash crops are cultivated for commercial purposes and include crops like cotton, tobacco, and coffee. Fodder crops are grown to feed livestock, including alfalfa and clover.
2. How does crop variety improvement benefit agriculture?
Ans. Crop variety improvement enhances agricultural productivity by developing new varieties that are more resistant to pests and diseases, tolerant to environmental stresses, and capable of yielding higher outputs. This leads to increased food security, better resource utilization, and reduced reliance on chemical inputs, ultimately supporting sustainable farming practices.
3. What is crop production management?
Ans. Crop production management involves the strategic planning and implementation of agricultural practices to maximize crop yield and quality. This includes site selection, soil preparation, crop rotation, irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting techniques. Effective management ensures optimal growth conditions and resource efficiency, contributing to sustainable agriculture.
4. What are the key practices in crop protection management?
Ans. Key practices in crop protection management include integrated pest management (IPM), the use of resistant crop varieties, biological control methods, and cultural practices such as crop rotation and sanitation. These strategies aim to minimize pest and disease impact on crops while reducing the use of chemical pesticides, promoting a healthier ecosystem.
5. What are the principles of organic farming?
Ans. Organic farming principles emphasize the use of natural inputs and processes to maintain soil health and biodiversity. Key practices include avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, utilizing crop rotations and cover crops, implementing composting and organic matter addition, and fostering ecological balance. The goal is to produce food sustainably while protecting the environment.
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