Morning Star Textbook Solutions: Agriculture in India II-Cash crops | Geography Class 10 ICSE PDF Download

Choose the correct option

Q1: Cotton is a tropical crop that requires uniformly high _______.
(a) rainfall
(b) temperature
(c) humidity
(d) All of the above
Ans: (b) temperature

Q2: Cotton plant is extremely sensitive to _______ which can kill the plant and destroy the crop.
(a) temperature
(b) rainfall
(c) frost
(d) humidity
Ans: (c) frost

Q3: _______ soil is ideal for cotton cultivation.
(a) Alluvium
(b) Black
(c) Laterite
(d) Red
Ans: (b) Black

Q4: The fibre or lint is separated from the cotton seeds by a process known as _______.
(a) ginning
(b) spinning
(c) pruning
(d) deseeding
Ans: (a) ginning

Q5: An inferior substitute for jute which is more coarse and less strong than jute is _______.
(a) Testa
(b) Mesta
(c) Cesta
(d) Jesta
Ans: (b) Mesta

Q6: The _______ soil gives the heaviest yield of Jute.
(a) clayey
(b) loamy
(c) siety
(d) sandy
Ans: (a) clayey

Q7: _______ softens the outer bark of jute and facilitates the early removability of the fibre within.
(a) Jetting
(b) Retting
(c) Metting
(d) Netting
Ans: (b) Retting

Q8: Tea develops most vigorously under _______ and no _______.
(a) sunshine, rains
(b) light shade, dry spells
(c) moisture, high temperature
(d) clear sky, no rains
Ans: (b) light shade, dry spells

Q9: High humidity, heavy _______ and morning _______ are good for the rapid development of young tea leaves.
(a) dew, fog
(b) rainfall, sunshine
(c) rainfall, dew
(d) shade, fog
Ans: (a) dew, fog

Q10: The process of growing tea shrubs in nurseries from cutting of high yielding varieties is known as _______.
(a) clonal sapling
(b) clonal planting
(c) clonal cuttings
(d) clonal trimmings
Ans: (b) clonal planting

Q11: The tea shrub continues to be productive for about _______ years.
(a) 20
(b) 25
(c) 50
(d) 70
Ans: (c) 50

Q12: _______ variety of tea is greenish brown in colour.
(a) Oolong
(b) Brick
(c) Black
(d) Green
Ans: (a) Oolong

Q13: _______ variety of tea is normally consumed in Russia and Tibet.
(a) Black
(b) Brick
(c) Oolong
(d) Green
Ans: (b) Brick

Q14: _______ has the largest area under tea production in the world.
(a) China
(b) Sri Lanka
(c) India
(d) Kenya
Ans: (c) India

Q15: _______ is the largest producer of tea in India.
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Kerala
(c) West Bengal
(d) Assam
Ans: (d) Assam

Q16: Which of the following are non-traditional coffee producing areas?
(a) Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
(b) Kerala and Karnataka
(c) Manipur and Tripura
(d) Bihar and Punjab
Ans: (a) Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

Ans: the following questions

Q1(a): What are fibre crops? Give two examples of plant fibre crops.
Ans: Fibre crops are grown primarily for the purpose of obtaining fibre, which is traditionally used in making paper, cloth, or rope. Examples include:

• Cotton
• Jute

Q1(b): What conditions of soil favour the growth of cotton? Why?
Ans: Cotton thrives in well-drained clayey soils rich in lime and phosphates. Deep and medium black soils are particularly ideal for cotton cultivation due to their high clay content and excellent water-holding capacity. This is essential since cotton plants deplete soil fertility quickly, necessitating regular applications of manures and fertilizers.

Q1(c): (i) Name the two chief cotton-growing areas in India.
(ii) Which climatic conditions favour the cultivation of cotton?
Ans: (i) The two main cotton-growing areas in India are:

• The northwestern Deccan, particularly on fertile Black cotton soil
• The central and southern Deccan, encompassing regions of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

(ii) The favourable climatic conditions for cotton cultivation include:

• Temperature: Cotton requires consistently high temperatures ranging from 21°C to 30°C, with at least 200 frost-free days for maturation.
• Rainfall: Moderate rainfall of 50 to 75 cm is ideal, with ample water during early growth but sunny, dry conditions post-flowering.

Q1(d): (i) How is frost harmful for the growth of the cotton plant?
(ii) Why is dry weather necessary at the time of harvesting cotton?
Ans: (i) The cotton plant is extremely sensitive to frost. Late spring or early autumn frosts can kill the plant and ruin the crop, as soil temperatures below 20°C inhibit root growth and slow overall plant development.
(ii) Dry weather is critical during cotton harvesting because rainfall at this stage can make plants susceptible to pests and diseases, undermining crop quality.

Q2(a): What advantages does Long Staple Cotton have?
Ans: Long Staple Cotton offers several benefits, including stronger, softer, and more durable fabrics. It is characterized by long, fine, and shiny fibers, making it ideal for high-quality cloth production. Fabrics crafted from long-staple cotton exhibit less fraying, pilling, wrinkling, and fading compared to those made from shorter staples.

Q2(b): Why are Gujarat and Maharashtra leading producers of Cotton?
Ans: Gujarat and Maharashtra lead in cotton production due to their moist climates, which are conducive to cotton cultivation. The ideal temperature in these states prevents cotton threads from breaking, a common issue in drier climates.

Q2(c): Describe the process or stages in Ginning of Cotton.
Ans: The stages in the ginning process of cotton include:

• The cotton is first dried to reduce moisture levels.
• Next, it is cleaned to eliminate foreign matter.
• The cotton then moves to gin stands where circular saws separate the lint from the seeds.
• Finally, lint is removed from the saws by rotating brushes and compressed into bales.

Q2(d): What are the problems associated with the growing of cotton?
Ans: The challenges faced in cotton cultivation include:

• Lack of financial resources
• Shortage of labor
• Inadequate water supply
• High incidence of pests and diseases
• Insufficient technology
• High input costs
• Low-quality fertilizers and pesticides
• Poor seed quality

Q3(a): State the soil conditions that favour the growth of jute.
Ans: Jute flourishes in soil enriched by alluvium from river floods. Loamy soils, with their clay particles, are most suitable as they retain nutrients, preventing them from washing away. Clayey soil, in particular, yields the highest production, whereas sandy soils produce coarser fibers.

Q3(b): In what way is the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta suitable for jute cultivation?
Ans: The Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta has loamy soil, which is ideal for jute farming. The clay component in the soil helps retain nutrients, supporting healthy plant growth.

Q3(c): (i) Why is jute retted?
(ii) How is this done?
Ans:
(i) Jute is retted to soften the outer bark, making it easier to extract the inner fibers.
(ii) Retting was traditionally done by submerging jute in rivers but is now often performed in special tanks with chemical additives to facilitate the process.

Q3(d): Describe briefly the processing of jute.
Ans: Jute harvesting involves pulling up the stems by hand. The stems are dried, stripped of leaves, and submerged in water for retting. This process, once done in rivers, is now often carried out in tanks with chemical aids. After retting, the fibers are scraped clean and dried, then loosely spun and woven into products like sacks and carpets.

Q4(a): Why is mesta an inferior substitute for jute? Where is it grown?
Ans: Mesta is considered an inferior substitute for jute due to its coarser and weaker fibers. It is cultivated in regions of Assam, Bihar, Odisha, and Kerala.

Q4(b): By what other name is jute referred to? Why?
Ans: Jute is often referred to as "Golden Fibre" because of its significant economic contribution and revenue generation for the government.

Q4(c): (i) Why are floods beneficial for the growth of jute?
(ii) Mention one advantage and one disadvantage of delay in jute harvest.
Ans:
(i) Floods provide ample water for retting while depositing new soil, which is beneficial for jute cultivation.
(ii) An advantage of delaying the jute harvest is increased yield, while a disadvantage is that it often results in coarser fibers.

Q4(d): State any three uses of jute.
Ans: Jute is used for:

• Manufacturing rough quality cloth, sacks, and packaging materials.
• Creating utility products like carpets and rugs.
• Generating significant revenue for the government.

Q5(a): State any two conditions that favour the growth of tea in the Nilgiris.
Ans: Conditions that promote tea cultivation in the Nilgiris include:

• The sloped terrain prevents flooding and stagnation of water during rains.
• High altitude provides ideal climatic conditions, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C and an annual rainfall of at least 150 cm, evenly distributed throughout the year.

Q5(b): State the advantages of growing tea plants on hill slopes.
Ans: Tea plantations thrive on hill slopes as this terrain promotes proper drainage, preventing waterlogging, which is essential for healthy tea plant growth.

Q5(c): (i) Name the different varieties of tea grown in India.
(ii) Why is blending necessary for tea?
Ans: (i) The varieties of tea cultivated in India include:

• Black tea
• Green tea
• Oolong tea
• Brick tea

(ii) Blending is essential to create distinct aromas and develop various proprietary tea brands.

Q5(d): (i) Name the leading producer of tea in India. State two factors that have helped it to become the leading state in tea production.
(ii) Define the following terms:

• Clonal Planting
• Pruning

Ans:
(i) Assam is the leading producer of tea in India.

Two factors that have helped Assam to become the leading state in tea production are-

• No stagnant water due to hilly terrain
• Availability of cheap labor

(ii) The definitions of Clonal Planting & Pruning are given below:

• Clonal Planting — Tea shrubs can be grown in nurseries from cuttings of high yielding varieties. This is known as clonal planting.
• Pruning — Pruning means plucking of tea leaves. Frequent pruning encourages the rapid production of fresh leaves and shoots. Pruning of tea bush starts after two years in order to maintain the height and diameter of the plant limited to one metre.

Q6(a): Give two climatic factors that favour the cultivation of coffee.
Ans: Two climatic factors that favour the cultivation of coffee are-

• Temperature — Coffee plant requires warm climate with temperature ranging from 15°C to 28°C and a moderate supply of moisture.
• Rainfall — During the period of growth, the plant requires 150 - 200 cm of annual rainfall.

Q6(b): Name the three varieties of coffee plants grown on commercial scale in India. Name one state where coffee is grown extensively.
Ans: The three varieties of coffee plants grown on commercial scale in India are-

• Coffee Robusta
• Coffee Liberica
• Coffee Arabica

Coffee is grown extensively in Karnataka.

Q6(c): Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Coffee is grown on the slopes of the hills in Peninsular India.
(ii) Coffee estates have coffee inter-planted with orange trees, cardamom and pepper vines.
(iii) Tea bushes are pruned at regular intervals.
Ans: 
(i) Coffee is cultivated on the slopes of hills in Peninsular India to prevent water logging and to ensure that the plants receive a steady supply of water. The soil in this region is very fertile, and the average rainfall of about 150 cm is essential for the growth of coffee plantations. 
(ii) The coffee plant is sensitive to direct sunlight. Therefore, coffee estates grow other plants like orange trees, cardamom, and pepper vines alongside coffee. These plants provide shade for the coffee while also helping farmers earn additional income. 
(iii) Tea bushes are regularly pruned to keep their height and width to about one meter. This frequent pruning helps the plants produce fresh leaves and shoots quickly. 

Q6(d): Describe briefly the Dry Parchment method of processing of coffee.
Ans: 

• The harvested coffee cherries are sorted and cleaned to remove any unripe, overripe, or damaged cherries, along with dirt, soil, twigs, and leaves. 
• Next, the coffee cherries are spread out under the sun to dry. 
• The beans undergo a fermentation process by being dried in the sun for about a week. 
• After they are dried, machines peel off the two layers of inner husks. 
• The beans are then sorted based on size and quality, and packed into sacks for storage. 
• The beans are roasted at a temperature of approximately 99°C and then ground into coffee powder, which is used to prepare the beverage. 
• Roasting the beans gives them a brown color and enhances their aroma and flavor. 

Thinking Skills

Q1: Cotton and Jute are the two crops which can provide employment to a large number of people and enhance the foreign exchange of the country. Give your opinion on the statement.
Ans:

• Cotton and jute are two important crops that can create many jobs and boost India's foreign exchange. 
• Growing and processing cotton and jute can provide employment opportunities, especially in rural areas. 
• These crops involve a lot of work, such as sowing, harvesting, and processing, which can help many people find jobs, particularly during busy seasons. 
• Cotton and jute can also help earn foreign money through exports. 
• Cotton is a key material for textile industries, while jute is used to make various products like sacks, bags, and carpets. 
• Exporting cotton textiles and jute products can bring in foreign currency for India. 
• By focusing on improving productivity, adding more value, encouraging innovation, and tackling challenges, the cotton and jute sectors can create even more jobs and increase foreign exchange earnings. 
• This can play a significant role in supporting the overall economic development of India. 

Q2: Tea and Coffee plantations should be developed as tourist spots to promote agri-tourism and provide an alternative source of income to the farmers. What do you think about this proposal?
Ans: 

• Tourism Potential — Tea and coffee plantations have beautiful views that attract visitors. 
• Diversification of Income — Agri-tourism provides farmers with extra money, reducing their dependence on just crop harvests. 
• Cultural Exchange and Education — Tourists can discover how tea and coffee are grown and processed, as well as learn about local customs, enhancing their travel experience. 
• Employment Opportunities — Turning plantations into tourist destinations creates new jobs in hospitality, tourism, and related services. 
• Conservation and Sustainability — Agri-tourism encourages eco-friendly practices in plantations, supporting efforts to protect the environment.