Practice Questions: Growing Plant

Q1: Define germination.
Ans: Germination is the process by which a seed begins to grow and develops into a young plant or seedling.

Q2: Name any three things that the seed requires to germinate.
Ans: The three things that a seed requires to germinate are -

1. Air
2. Water
3. Warmth.

Q3: Why do plants scatter their seeds?
Ans: Plants scatter their seeds so that seedlings do not grow too close to each other and therefore avoid competition for light, water and nutrients.

Q4: Name any three parts of the plant other than the seed from which a new plant can grow?
Ans: The three parts other than the seed from which a new plant can grow are -

1. Roots
2. Stems
3. Leaves.

Q5: What is step farming?
Ans: In hilly areas, farmers cut flat platforms or steps on the slopes and grow crops on these levels; this method is called step farming.

Q6: Describe the process of germination.
Ans: Germination is the process by which a seed grows into a new plant. The main stages are -

1. When a seed receives the necessary things such as air, water, warmth, space and nutrients from the soil, germination begins.
2. The seed soaks up water and swells; the seed coat becomes soft and may break.
3. The seed uses the food stored in the cotyledons to give energy for early growth.
4. The root comes out first and grows down into the soil to absorb water and nutrients.
5. The shoot grows upwards; leaves form and begin to make food by photosynthesis, and the cotyledons gradually shrink and disappear.

Q7: Define dispersal. Describe the different ways of seed dispersal.
Ans: Dispersal is the process by which seeds are scattered away from the mother plant. The different ways by which seeds can be dispersed are -

1. By wind - Light seeds that have wing-like or hair-like structures are carried away by the wind. E.g. - cottonseed.
2. By water - Seeds that have a fibrous or waterproof covering can float and be carried by water, for example coconut and lotus.
3. By animals - Seeds with hooks or spines can stick to an animal's fur and be carried to new places; some seeds are eaten and later passed out in droppings. E.g. - cocklebur.
4. By explosion - Some fruits burst open when they are ripe and scatter their seeds forcefully in different directions. E.g. - poppy, peas and beans.

Q8: Explain, with examples, the different parts of a plant from which new plants can grow.
Ans: The different parts of plants from which a new plant can grow are -

1. From roots - Some plants store food in their roots and new plants can grow from pieces of these roots. E.g. - carrot, radish, beetroot, turnip, dahlia.
2. From stem - Some plants, such as potatoes, have buds called eyes on their stems or tubers; each bud can grow into a new plant. Many plants like rose, hibiscus and money plant can also grow from stem cuttings.
3. From leaves - Some leaves, for example those of Bryophyllum, have buds on their edges; when such leaves fall on moist soil, the buds can grow into new plants.

Q9: Write differences between rabi and Kharif crops with examples.
Ans:

Q10: What is the importance of cotyledons for a plant?
Ans: Cotyledons are seed leaves that store food. They supply food to the young plant during the early stages of germination until the true leaves can make food.

Q11: Define agriculture. Write different stages of agriculture.
Ans: Agriculture is the practice of growing plants and rearing animals on a large scale for food and other purposes. The different stages are -

1. The field is ploughed to loosen and turn the soil.
2. Manure or compost is added to improve the soil's fertility.
3. Seeds are sown in the prepared soil.
4. The crops are irrigated (watered) as required.
5. The crops are protected from pests by applying suitable measures such as pesticides when needed.
6. When the crop is mature, it is harvested.

Q12: What is vegetative reproduction?
Ans: Vegetative reproduction is the process in which new plants are produced from parts of a plant other than the seed. Examples include potatoes (from tubers), sugarcane (from stem pieces) and rose (from stem cuttings).