Test: Improvement In Food Resources- 2 - Class 9 MCQ

Mixed cropping and intercropping:
Mixed cropping and intercropping are two agricultural practices where multiple crops are grown simultaneously on the same field. While both methods involve growing multiple crops together, intercropping differs from mixed cropping in the following ways:
Different crops in different rows:
- In intercropping, the different crops are grown in different rows, alternating with each other. This means that the crops are not mixed randomly but are strategically placed in separate rows.
- This arrangement allows for better utilization of resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients, as the crops have different growth patterns and requirements.
- It also helps to minimize competition between crops for resources, leading to higher overall yields.
Reducing risk and providing insurance:
- One of the main advantages of intercropping is that it reduces the risk of crop failure.
- By growing different crops together, farmers can spread their risk and have a backup in case one crop fails.
- This provides insurance against the failure of a single crop and helps to stabilize agricultural production.
Other benefits of intercropping:
- Intercropping also has other advantages such as increased biodiversity, pest and disease management, and improved soil health.
- The presence of multiple crops can attract different beneficial insects that help in natural pest control.
- Some crop combinations also have a synergistic effect, where the growth of one crop benefits the growth of another.
- Additionally, intercropping can help improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing nutrient cycling.
In summary, while both mixed cropping and intercropping involve growing multiple crops together, intercropping differs from mixed cropping by strategically arranging different crops in separate rows and providing risk reduction and insurance against crop failure. Intercropping also offers additional benefits such as increased biodiversity, pest management, and improved soil health.

Explanation:
The wrong statement from the options given is option D: None of the above.
Reasoning:
Let's analyze each statement to find the wrong one:
A: White revolution is meant for an increase in milk production.
- This statement is correct. The White Revolution, also known as Operation Flood, was a dairy development program in India that aimed to increase milk production through the adoption of modern techniques and technology.
B: Blue revolution is meant for an increase in fish production.
- This statement is correct. The Blue Revolution is a term used to describe the sustainable development and management of water resources for fisheries and aquaculture. It focuses on increasing fish production through various measures.
C: Increasing food production without compromising with environmental quality is called sustainable agriculture.
- This statement is correct. Sustainable agriculture refers to the practice of producing food in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner. It aims to increase food production while minimizing the negative impacts on the environment.
D: None of the above.
- This statement is incorrect. As explained above, all the statements mentioned in options A, B, and C are correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is option D: None of the above.

Developing crop varieties with wider adaptability will help in stabilising crop production, because:
1. A single variety can be grown under different climatic conditions in different regions:
- Crop varieties with wider adaptability can tolerate a range of climatic conditions, including temperature, humidity, and rainfall variations.
- This allows farmers to cultivate the same variety in different regions, reducing the risk of crop failure due to unfavorable weather conditions.
- It provides flexibility in crop production, ensuring a stable supply of food even in regions with unpredictable weather patterns.
2. That variety will have resistance to a wide variety of pests:
- Developing crop varieties with wider adaptability often involves incorporating traits that enhance resistance to various pests and diseases.
- This reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides, resulting in more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices.
- By minimizing crop losses due to pests, the stability of crop production is improved, ensuring a consistent supply of food.
3. That variety will be higher yielding than many other varieties:
- Crop varieties with wider adaptability are often selected based on their ability to produce high yields under diverse environmental conditions.
- These varieties are bred to have better stress tolerance, efficient nutrient utilization, and improved growth characteristics.
- Higher-yielding varieties contribute to stable crop production by providing a larger harvest, reducing the risk of food shortages.
4. That variety can be grown under the same climatic conditions:
- Developing crop varieties with wider adaptability also includes selecting varieties that can thrive under similar climatic conditions.
- This allows farmers to grow the same variety continuously without needing to switch to different varieties each season or year.
- Consistency in crop variety simplifies farming practices and reduces the need for constant adjustments, leading to more stable crop production.
In conclusion, developing crop varieties with wider adaptability plays a crucial role in stabilizing crop production. It allows for cultivation under various climatic conditions, provides resistance against pests, enhances yield potential, and simplifies farming practices. These factors collectively contribute to a more reliable and secure food supply.

Indian cattle are a specific breed of cattle found in India. Let's analyze each option:

 

(i) Bos indicus: This is a scientific name for the Indian zebu cattle, which are commonly found in India. They are characterized by a hump on their back and large ears. This is a correct answer.

 

(ii) Bos domestica: This is not a specific breed of cattle. It is a term used to refer to domesticated cattle in general. This is not an Indian cattle.

 

(iii) Bos bubalis: This is a scientific name for the water buffalo, which is commonly found in India. Water buffalo is considered as Indian cattle. This is a correct answer.

 

(iv) Bos vulgaris: This is not a specific breed of cattle. It is a term used to refer to the wild ancestor of domesticated cattle, known as Aurochs. This is not an Indian cattle.

 

Answer: Indian cattle breeds are (i) Bos indicus and (iii) Bos bubalis.

 

 

Explanation:
To determine the mineral nutrient/element whose loss is compensated by growing a pulse crop between two cereal crops, we need to understand the concept of crop rotation and nutrient cycling.
Crop rotation:
Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops in a sequence on the same piece of land. It is done to improve soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and increase crop yield.
Nutrient cycling:
Nutrient cycling refers to the process by which nutrients are taken up by plants, released into the soil through plant residues or root exudates, and then taken up by subsequent crops.
Role of pulse crops:
Pulse crops, such as peas, lentils, and beans, are known for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be utilized by plants. When the pulse crop is plowed back into the soil, it releases nitrogen into the soil, thus replenishing the nutrient levels.
The mineral nutrient/element compensated by pulse crops:
In this case, growing a pulse crop between two cereal crops helps compensate for the loss of nitrogen.
The correct answer is C: Nitrogen.
Here are the key points to remember:
- Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops in a sequence on the same piece of land.
- Nutrient cycling refers to the process of taking up and releasing nutrients by plants and subsequent crops.
- Pulse crops have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
- When pulse crops are plowed back into the soil, they release nitrogen, replenishing the nutrient levels.
- Growing a pulse crop between two cereal crops helps compensate for the loss of nitrogen.
- The mineral nutrient/element compensated by pulse crops is nitrogen.

Weeds affect the crop plants by:

Killing of plants in the field before they grow:
- Weeds can outcompete crop plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to the death of young crop plants before they can establish and grow.

Dominating the plants to grow:
- Some aggressive weed species can grow rapidly and form dense stands, dominating the available space and resources, which hinders the growth and development of crop plants.

Competing for various resources of crops (plants) causing low availability of nutrients:
- Weeds compete with crop plants for nutrients, water, and space. This competition can result in limited availability of essential resources for the crop plants, leading to stunted growth, reduced yields, and overall poor crop health.

All of these:
- Weeds can have a combined impact on crop plants, including killing young plants, dominating available space, and competing for vital resources. This comprehensive effect can severely affect crop productivity, quality, and economic value.

In conclusion, weeds can have a detrimental impact on crop plants by killing young plants, dominating growth space, and competing for essential resources. It is crucial for farmers to implement effective weed management strategies to minimize the negative effects of weeds and ensure optimal crop growth and productivity.

- Catlas fish feed on the surface of the water body.
- They primarily consume floating food items and plankton found near the water's surface.
- This feeding behavior helps them target their prey efficiently.

Intervarietal hybridization is the process in which parents involved in hybridization belong to the same species but different varieties. For example, crossing of two varieties of wheat or other crops. Interspecific hybrids are bred by mating two species, normally from within the same genus but different species.

Answer:
The correct answer is B: Composite fish culture.
Explanation:
Composite fish culture is a system of culturing multiple species of fish with different food habits in a fishpond. This method is widely practiced in aquaculture to maximize fish production and optimize the utilization of resources. Here is a detailed explanation of each option:
- Mariculture: Mariculture refers to the cultivation of marine organisms in the ocean or other saltwater environments. It involves the farming of various marine species such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed.
- Composite fish culture: Composite fish culture involves the culture of multiple species of fish with different feeding habits in the same fishpond. The combination of different species helps in utilizing the available resources efficiently and reducing competition for food.
- Capture fishing: Capture fishing refers to the practice of catching fish from natural water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans using various fishing gears and techniques.
- Pisciculture: Pisciculture is a broader term that encompasses the breeding, rearing, and culture of fish, including both freshwater and marine species. It involves activities such as fish farming, hatchery operations, and stocking of fish in natural water bodies.
In conclusion, the system of culturing five or six species of fish with different food habits in a fishpond is known as composite fish culture.

Continuous use of fertilisers can destroy soil fertility because:
1. Organic matter is not replenished:
- Fertilisers primarily provide essential nutrients to plants, but they do not replenish organic matter in the soil.
- Organic matter, such as decomposed plant and animal materials, is crucial for maintaining soil fertility.
- It improves soil structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient retention, and provides a habitat for beneficial soil organisms.
2. Microbes in the soil are harmed:
- Continuous use of fertilisers can negatively impact the microbial population in the soil.
- Soil microbes play a vital role in nutrient cycling, decomposition of organic matter, and maintaining soil health.
- Fertilisers can alter the microbial community composition and reduce the diversity and activity of beneficial soil microbes.
3. Soil becomes hard:
- Excessive use of fertilisers can lead to the accumulation of salts in the soil, causing soil salinization.
- Salinization can result in the hardening of the soil, making it difficult for plant roots to penetrate and access water and nutrients.
- This can impede plant growth and decrease soil fertility over time.
Conclusion:
Continuous use of fertilisers without replenishing organic matter can lead to a decline in soil fertility. The absence of organic matter and the harm caused to soil microbes can disrupt nutrient cycling and reduce the overall health of the soil. Additionally, excessive fertiliser use can contribute to soil salinization, resulting in soil hardening and reduced plant growth. It is therefore important to adopt sustainable soil management practices that incorporate organic matter additions and minimize excessive reliance on fertilisers to maintain long-term soil fertility.