Tag: Soil

Introduction

Agriculture has played a significant role in the rise of human civilization, but organic farming of domesticated species has produced food surpluses that have enabled people to live in urban areas. Agriculture is the art and science of creating and cultivating soil, increasing yields, and keeping animals. Agriculture and farming have historically been essential to human life. The expansion of agriculture and farming was a factor in the development of civilization.

What is Agriculture? 

Agriculture is characterized as the practice of growing plants and animals for human consumption. Various parameters need to be considered in agriculture, such as the type of crop, soil characteristics, environment, and so forth. Farmers decide which crop should be cultivated at what time and location based on these parameters. Aside from that, reasonable soil, environment, and season are insufficient to produce a high-quality product. It necessitates several tactics that need to have been used.

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Importance of Agriculture

Social and Economical Aspect:

• Agriculture increases the availability of food, which improves population nutrition and promotes population health. 
• A small number of people cannot do agriculture. Each of its processes requires the input of numerous persons. Consequently, this results in the creation of jobs.

Environmental Aspect:

• Waste management depends heavily on agriculture. The biodegradable wastes can be transformed into manure, which the plants can use as a source of food.
• With the right treatment, bare soil can be turned into crops, ensuring agriculture’s efficient use of land resources. 
• It significantly contributes to preserving the microclimate of any location and raises the standard of the ecosystem as a whole.

What are the Basic Agricultural Practices?

Those consecutive actions that are taken to guarantee the proper production of crops are referred to as “agricultural practices.” To guarantee a yield of great quality, this must be done. The next section has a quick discussion of the steps.

Steps of Agricultural Practices

• Preparation of soil:
• • It is crucial to prepare the soil to make sure it is rich, well-drained, well-aerated, uniform, and can hold enough moisture. This stage is essential because the soil must survive numerous adverse situations. After all, it is exposed to them. 
  • Typically, the preparation is carried out with the aid of various tools, such as a hoe and a plow.
  • To provide the best aeration, the soil must be dug out and loosened.
  • To spread the dirt equally and avoid lumping, leveling is done after plowing. 
  • Finally, there is a chance that the soil has run out of nutrients, which could be bad for plant growth. Manure and fertilizers are thus applied to restore it.
• Seed selection and sowing

• Choosing the right seeds is crucial to getting a good crop. 
• A quality seed, also known as an HYV or High Yielding Variety seed, guarantees improved plant growth, increased disease resistance, and increased yield. 
• The chosen seeds must be planted in the prepared field after being chosen. 
• Sowing is the distribution and burying of seeds into the soil, whether by hand or with the aid of machines.
  
• Irrigation
• To meet the crops’ water needs, the best possible amount of water is applied to the soil where the crops are growing. 
• A source of water, such as ponds, wells, rivers, etc., is typically supplied by a variety of channels, such as canals or pipelines.
• Crop maintenance
• • Considering that the crops must grow for a long period and are exposed to the elements, they need some maintenance. 
  • In essence, they can be destroyed by the numerous pests, birds, rodents, etc. that are likely to attack them.
  • Unwanted plants known as weeds can encroach on cropland and compete with crops for nutrients, stifling the development of crops. 
  • To protect them, it is therefore imperative to apply weedicides, insecticides, etc. 
  • To stop bird assaults, farmers frequently construct scarecrows.
• Harvesting
• • It is the process of gathering the crop’s valuable components, and it is typically carried out after the crop is fully mature and has reached its ideal development stage. 
  • It can be carried out manually with implements like a sickle or with the aid of machines.
• Storage

• In this last step, the harvested goods are moved to the granaries or storehouses before being distributed to the market. 
• To prevent desiccation, it is essential to dry the items before storing them, especially grains and pulses.
• The items are additionally fumigated to deter rodent and pest infestations.

What are Sustainable Agricultural Practices?

The concept of sustainability is the prevention of resource depletion by the adoption of specific actions that preserve both the health of the natural world and the future of humanity. Some of the measures taken in agriculture are discussed below.

• Making sure that soil is properly used and prepared to prevent erosion.
• Reducing water use through the application of new methods and tools.
• Drop-by-drop watering is done with drip irrigation, which is time-controlled. In the revolutionary practice of hydroponics, nutrients are dissolved in water and fed to plants to provide them with nutrition.
• The use of biodynamic farming methods is recommended.
• Crop rotation proposes that different crop types should grow in a specific region.
• Promoting the expansion of the pests’ natural predators to reduce the need for pesticides, weedicides, and other chemicals.

Summary

Agriculture is characterized as the practice of growing plants and animals for human consumption. Agriculture increases the availability of food, which improves population nutrition and promotes population health. The biodegradable wastes can be transformed into manure, which the plants can use as a source of food. It is crucial to prepare the soil to make sure it is rich, well-drained, well-aerated, uniform, and can hold enough moisture.  Crop rotation proposes that different crop types should grow in a specific region.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Define Pesticides?
Ans. Pesticides are a class of chemicals that include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides that are used to control pests (harmful organisms) in agriculture. Examples include glyphosate, DDT, etc.

2. Why is it no Longer Advisable to use Fertilizers Today?
Ans. Fertilizers are extremely damaging to the environment. Overuse of fertilizers creates contaminants that travel via the water and air. They obliterate the water and soil microorganisms. They contribute to a phenomenon known as “biomagnification.” So it is not recommended to use more fertilizers.

3. Which Crop Diseases are Prevalent?
Ans. Common bacterial diseases include fire blight, necrosis, and Granville withering. Exfoliation, wheat black rust, and other common fungi-caused illnesses are only a few examples.

 4. What is the Indian “Green Revolution”?
Ans. With the use of technology, agricultural systems in India were transformed into modern industrial systems during the Green Revolution of the 1960s. This period included the use of HYV, mechanized farming tools, irrigation systems, fertilizers, and pesticides.

5. Define Genetically Modified Crops?
Ans. Genetically modified crops are those whose genomes have undergone genetic engineering modifications to exhibit desired features like higher nutrient production and pest resistance. For example, BT brinjal.

Introduction

The ecosystem is defined as a geographical area composed of living beings and non-living beings interacting with each other. Both of them are interdependent and hence together are responsible for maintaining the balance of the environment. Living beings in an ecosystem are termed biotic factors; they include microbes, plants, and animals. Non-living beings of an ecosystem are known as abiotic factors and they are physical or chemical non-living components of the ecosystem. These factors are essential for the survival of living organisms in the given ecosystem. They determine the structure, growth pattern, distribution, and behaviour of the living organism in an ecosystem. These factors include temperature, light, humidity, water, air, land, soil, pH, etc.

Types of Abiotic Factors

There are 3 types of abiotic factors-

• Inorganic compounds-Compounds and elements which are a part of various biogeochemical cycles are the inorganic compounds found in the ecosystem and they are very essential for the biotic components. Nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and other elements are examples of inorganic materials.
• Organic compounds- These are the substances that are present in dead and decaying organisms. These include biomolecules like lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These organic components are broken down into simpler compounds such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen which circulate in the ecosystem and nourish various abiotic factors such as soil, air, water, etc.
• Climatic and soil factors-These variables include the ecosystem’s physical elements, such as temperature, humidity, light, air, and soil. Climate variables are those that affect the weather or climatic condition of the ecosystem, whereas edaphic factors are those that affect the qualities of the soil, such as pH and topography.

For more help, you can Refer to Lesson 9 – Living Things and habitat in Science Class 6th. Checkout the video Lesson for a better understanding

Ecosystems Based on Abiotic Factors

Abiotic elements found in a given habitat can be used to categorize ecosystems.

• Aquatic ecosystem- An ecosystem is said to be aquatic if both its biotic and abiotic components are found in water. Depending upon the salinity of the water, aquatic ecosystems can be of two types- Freshwater ecosystems and Marine ecosystems.
• Terrestrial ecosystem- An ecosystem is referred to as a terrestrial ecosystem if the biotic and abiotic components reside on the land. Depending upon various factors such as availability of water, climatic conditions, and temperature. Terrestrial ecosystems can be of 4 types- Forest, Grassland, Mountain, and Desert ecosystem. 

Responses of Organisms Against Changes in Abiotic Factors

Biotic factors that inhabit a certain habitat react with the abiotic elements present there.  Hence, the abiotic factors become stimuli which results in the display of various effects on different organisms. Below are a few examples 

• Homeostasis-Homeostasis is the process by which the interior environment of organisms is maintained in a steady state, despite various external changes. Organisms can be divided into two categories: 
  • Regulators-These species can use energy to maintain homeostasis. They are active, widely dispersed, and maintain a steady internal body temperature and osmotic concentration. For e.g.- Birds and mammals.
  • Conformers- These species are unable to maintain homeostasis and hence can survive only in specific conditions. For eg- Fish, amphibians, reptiles, etc.
• Migration– Migration is the movement of living creators from one place to another. Such creatures temporarily migrate to a suitable location when there are unfavourable conditions in their native habitat. They return to their former habitat as soon as the environment is normalized. For example-  To avoid the severe winter climate, birds from Siberia travel to India.
• Suspension- When faced with unfavourable circumstances, certain species briefly halt their continuous metabolism i.e they suspend their growth and development for a while. For eg- Spores are formed by fungi and bacteria which can withstand severe conditions. Plants produce seeds that have a thick seed coat and a period of dormancy. While snails and frogs become dormant in the summer, bears hibernate during the colder months.

Summary

Abiotic elements are the nonliving parts of an ecosystem that surround living ones in any habitat. Both aquatic and terrestrial habitats include them. The biotic components are occasionally impacted by changing abiotic variables. To ensure their existence, these biotic components have a variety of strategies to deal with changes in these abiotic conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Local and Global Ecosystem?
Ans: A local ecosystem consists of different types of habitats along with living organisms. A global ecosystem is a group of many local ecosystems.

2. What is Diapause?
Ans: Diapause is a response given by organisms under unsuitable environmental conditions. It is a spontaneous phenomenon wherein there is an interruption in the developmental stage of an organism due to changes in the abiotic factors. For instance, the monarch butterfly goes through reproductive diapause to get ready for its migration from North America to Mexico between late summer and fall.

3. What are the Abiotic Factors in a Forest Habitat?
Ans: The abiotic factors of forest habitat are-

•  Soil
•  Temperature
• Humidity
• Rocks
• Water

4. Give one Example of a Plant’s Response to Abiotic Factors of the Environment.
Ans: One example of a plant’s reaction to the abiotic component of light is phototropism. In contrast to the root, which grows away from the light source and exhibits negative phototropism, the plant’s shoot grows in the direction of the source of light and shows positive phototropism.

Introduction

The topmost layer of the earth is called soil, and it is made up of several elements. Environmental elements like water, wind, temperature, and even living things usually have an impact on them. One type of soil may not have the same physical or chemical properties as another. The soil is now inhabited by microorganisms like bacteria, algae, fungi, and actinomycetes that fix nitrogen, decompose organic matter, transport vital nutrients, and improve the texture of the soil. High-yielding crops in agriculture depend on the texture, composition, and environmental tolerance of the soil. Consequently, the soil is first prepped before being used for improved harvesting.

What is Soil?

A complex material called soil develops on the earth’s surface. It emerged through the disintegration of rocks. By their porosity, aeration, and water-retention ability, they act as a medium for the growth of plants.

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Types of Soil

Based on its texture and composition, the soil is divided into different categories.

Clay soil:

• Compared to other soil types with a composition of very small particles, clay soil stands out for having particular qualities. 
• It is referred to as heavy soil because the soil particles are firmly packed and there are few or no air spaces between them. 
• It has trouble allowing air and humidity to enter the soil yet is effective at holding a lot of water. 
• Although clay is sticky when wet, it dries out when water vapour escapes from the ground.

Sandy soil:

• Sandy soil is hot and dry because it has a large proportion of sand and little clay. 
• It can be created through the fracturing of rocks. 
• When it rains heavily, the earth can quickly absorb water, which benefits the drainage system. 
• The lack of proper water retention and poor nutrient availability make the soil unsuitable for plant growth.

Loamy soil:

• Silt, clay, sand, and organic matter that has already decomposed make up loamy soil, which has a dark colour. 
• Because the soil’s particles are dispersed, air can easily penetrate it. 
• It works well for plant growth since clay and sand both have beneficial properties.

Silt:

• The particle size of such soil is medium. 
• Although the soil is fertile and smooth, it has few nutrients. 
• It is utilized for drainage since it effectively traps water.

Which Soil is Suitable for Agriculture?

Crops can only be grown in a particular soil if it meets certain criteria, including aeration, fertility, and crop type. Generally speaking, it differs amongst crops. To provide appropriate nutrients and maintain the water, the loam soil is made up of sand, silt, and clay. In this way, it is regarded as appropriate soil for farming.

Components of Soil

• From one place to another, the soil’s precise makeup varies. Minerals, water, and organic and inorganic substances make up the major volume of the soil. 
• Generally speaking, the abiotic (non-living) components are made up of about 45% air, 25% water, 25% minerals, and 5% organic stuff.

Preparation of Soil

Before planting, the soil is prepared to ensure that the region is suitable for farming. The proper growth of crops might benefit from soil preparation. The soil preparation process involves a variety of tools.

Tools Involved in Soil Preparation

Plough:

        Plough is dragged by two bullocks and is composed of wood or iron. The pieces are as follows: 

• Shovel shaft (a long batten of wood). 
• Ploughshare (heavy triangular metal item linked to one pole of shaft) (heavy triangular metal piece connected to one pole of shaft). 
• Beam (the other pole of the shaft is connected to the stand on the necks of bulls).

Hoe: 

• Hoe is used to break up the soil and remove overgrowth. 
• Bulls drag a long wooden pole with heavy metal attached to it to loosen the dirt.

Cultivator:

• Both labourers and cultivators plough the ground. 
• The main ways that tractors are beneficial are by eliminating physical labour and saving time.

Different Steps Involved in the Preparation of Soil

The process of preparing soil involves these three steps: 

Ploughing: 

• It is the process of agitating and moving the soil to bring nutrient-rich soil to the surface. 
• It is an essential phase in agriculture, and iron or wood has been used to apply it. 
• Bullocks or driven cultivators pull the plough. 

Leveling: 

• Due to the numerous huge lumps in the region that was ploughed, it is crucial to level the ground before beginning cultivation. 
• A leveler is a tool with a board made of metal or wood that is used to level the soil.

Manuring:

• Manure is decomposed organic matter that is used as fertilizer to improve the quality and growth of crops. 
• Manure is utilized to replenish the soil with nutrients necessary for the successful growth of crops.

Importance of Preparation of Soil

• By preparing the soil in a way that safeguards the crops from irritants and weeds, it is possible to meet the needs of crops, including those for sufficient water, minerals, oxygen, nutrients, and solar exposure. 
• Ploughing helps cultivators get nutrient-rich soil on the top, promote soil aeration, and get rid of unwelcome weed development. 
• Crops must be properly mowed to ensure a superior harvest.

For more help, you can Refer to Lesson 9 – Story of soil in Science Class 7. Checkout the video Lesson for a better understanding.

Summary

A complex material called soil develops on the earth’s surface. It emerged through the disintegration of rocks. Based on its texture and composition, the soil is divided into different categories, such as clay, sandy, silty, and loamy soil. Crops can only be grown in a particular soil if it meets certain criteria, including aeration, fertility, and crop type. Ploughing helps cultivators get nutrient-rich soil on top, promote soil aeration, and get rid of unwelcome weed development.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What characteristics of Soil make it Appropriate for Farming?

Ans. A good supply of nutrients and oxygen, the ability to hold onto water, and weather tolerance are all characteristics of soil that make it suited for agricultural use.

2. What makes up Soil?

Ans. 45% of air, 25% of water, 25% of minerals, and 5% of organic matter make up soil. Organic matter is the byproduct of plants and animals that have decomposed.

3. What is Clay Soil?

Ans. Compared to other soil types with a composition of very small particles, clay soil stands out for having particular qualities. It is referred to as “heavy soil” because the soil particles are firmly packed and there are few or no air spaces between them.

4. Define Ploughing and what are the Components of the Plough.

Ans. Loosening and turning the soil is done through ploughing. A plough is a farming implement made up of a beam, ploughshare, and shaft.

5. What kind of Soil can hold a Significant Amount of Water, and Why?

Ans. Clay soil can store a huge quantity of water. It is referred to as “heavy soil” because the soil particles are firmly packed and there are few or no air spaces between them. It has trouble allowing air and humidity to enter the soil yet is effective at holding a lot of water.

Introduction

Agriculture is the practice of raising animals and cultivating crops. To meet the growing need of the population, the seed is crucial in the development of palatable foods. It is a fertilized ovule that germinates to give rise to new plants. The crucial phase in agriculture is choosing good quality seeds because they can reduce replanting, improve uniformity, and encourage the early growth of crops. Proper agricultural practices increase the yield and quality of crops produced.

Selection of Seeds

In general, seed quality affects plant development. Selecting effective seeds, and seed selection can boost agricultural yield. Getting seeds from healthy plants is crucial for agriculture since many different plant diseases can be spread through them. Spreading out chosen seeds over the initially prepared soil is the act of sowing. When choosing seeds for sowing, the following characteristics of the seeds are essential:

• Infections shouldn’t be present in the seeds. 
• They ought to have a strong ability to germinate. 
• A specific seed shouldn’t be combined with weeds or other seeds. 
• They ought to produce the desired amount of crops. 
• Avoid using seeds that have been damaged or crushed. 
• They ought to be immune to illness. 
• They ought to be able to endure challenging circumstances.

Steps to Ensure Proper Growth of Seeds

Agricultural practices are a set of rules used in the agricultural sector to make farming easier and produce better agricultural goods.

Preparation of Proper Soil

The agricultural area must be prepared for crop production through soil preparation. For seeds to germinate and help with efficient agricultural cultivation, it is necessary. The process of preparing soil involves these three steps:

• Tilling/Ploughing: ploughing is the process of liquifying and moving the soil to improve adequate aeration and bring the nutrient-rich soil to the surface of the land. It is done with a cultivator, hoe, or plough.
• Levelling: Because the earth is lumpy and irregularly dispersed, the levelling procedure distributes the soil evenly and levels it out. Additionally, it guards against soil erosion.
• Manuring: To grow and produce fruits and seeds, plants need the right nutrition. Applying manure to agricultural land is known as manuring. Manure is an organic material that has decomposed and is used to enrich the soil by delivering nutrients for crop growth.

Sowing of Seeds or Planting  

Sowing refers to the act of distributing or planting seeds. The right depth and quantity of water must be used while planting seeds. To achieve a desirable culture, the right seeding distance and interval are crucial. The following are some seeding techniques:

• Traditional method: For sowing, a funnel is employed that is filled with seeds that are travelling via pipes with sharp edges. The seeds are dispersed as the pipe’s edge penetrates the ground.
• Broadcasting: By distributing seeds throughout the ground, seeds are sown by the manual or mechanical method called broadcasting. However, owing to the uneven seed dissemination, this strategy is not advised for the growth of high-yielding crops.
• Dibbling: The act of “dibbling” involves evenly spacing the seeds in the seedbed before covering them with dirt. A long, pointed tool called a “dibbler” is used to make holes in the earth before sowing.
• Seed drill: Typically, tractors are utilized to assist in the sowing of seeds using a seed drill. The seeds can be sown at the proper depth and distance, and it is crucial to make sure the soil is covered after sowing.
• Transplantation: The seedlings are moved to the cultivable land after the seeds have initially been sown in a small garden. As a result, this procedure takes a long time.

Proper and Timely Irrigation

Agriculture requires proper irrigation since excessive watering can harm the soil by causing water logging, which hinders the soil’s ability to absorb nutrients and minerals. Because the farmer needs to supply enough water, successive irrigation necessitates breaks.

Supply of Proper Manure and Fertilizers

To provide the nutrients needed for plant growth, manure and fertilizers are added. Manure is made from decomposed animal and plant wastes, making it an environmentally benign substance that also improves soil fertility. Inorganic fertilizers like ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, and NPK are produced commercially, and too much fertilizer can impair the soil’s ability to support plant growth.

Protection of Crops/Plants From Weeds

Unwanted plants, known as weeds, can harm farmed plants by growing near desirable ones. Crop yields are reduced, and pests and diseases use it as a host plant. These are eliminated by hand or using weed killers like naphthalene, acetic acid, etc.

Summary

The crucial phase in agriculture is choosing good quality seeds because they can reduce replanting, improve uniformity, and encourage the early growth of crops. Selecting effective seeds, and seed selection can boost agricultural yield. Agricultural practices are a set of rules used in the agricultural sector to make farming easier and produce better agricultural goods. The right depth and quantity of water must be used while planting seeds. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes Manure and Fertilizer different from one Another?
Ans. Fertilizers like ammonium sulfate are inorganic, whereas manure is an organic chemical made from the breakdown of plant and animal waste.

2. Write a note on Agricultural Practices.
Ans. Agriculture practices are a collection of rules that make farming easier. It entails the following: preparing the soil, choosing the right seeds, sowing, applying manure, fertilizers, and weedicides, as well as ensuring correct watering, harvesting, and storing.

3. Define Winnowing and Threshing.
Ans. Winnowing is the technique of separating grains utilizing the wind, whereas threshing is the act of freeing harvested grains by hand-battering or mechanical means.

4. What role does Seed Selection Play in Agriculture?
Ans. For the development of new individual plants, seeds are necessary. The development of desirable crops that decrease replanting and increase crop production can be achieved by choosing high-quality seeds.