CBSE Notes for Class 9 Chapter 15 Improvement in Food Production
Chapter 15 Improvement in Food Production CBSE Notes for Class 9: ‘Improvement in food production’ chapter of CBSE class highlights the topic of increasing the yields of crops and livestock. We all require carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, and protein supplies for the development and growth of the body. Both agriculture and animal husbandry provide food for us. As we know, the population of India is growing day by day and there will be a need for food in billion tonnes every year. Both the Green revolution and white revolution are there to increase food-grain production and for the availability of milk. To fulfil the food demands of the population, improvements in food resources are introduced.
Improvement in Crop Yields
We know that every crop is different and they grow at a particular temperature, climatic conditions, and photoperiods. Sunlight is also an essential part of photosynthesis for the completion of plants’ life cycle.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the science that includes farming, soil cultivation, growth of crops, and animal rearing for wool, food, and other purposes.
Carbohydrates
Rice, maize, sorghum, millets, and wheat are essential cereals that are a source of carbohydrates to provide energy.
Protein
Black gram (urad), Pea (Matar), Lentil (Masoor), and Gram (Chana) are pulses that contain proteins that are essential for body energy.
Fats
Groundnut, sesame, sunflower, linseed, mustard, castor, and soybean are oil seeds that include the required fats for the body.
Vitamins
Sources of vitamins (Or minerals) include fruits, spices, and vegetables.
Kharif Crops
Crops that grow in the rainy season between June and October month are known as Kharif Crops. Soyabean, green gram, black gram, pigeon, maize, cotton, and paddy all are examples of Kharif crops.
Rabi Crops
Crops that grow in the winter season between November and April are called Rabi Crops. Gram, peas, linseed, mustard, and wheat are examples of Rabi crops.
Three stages in farming.
1) In the first stage, selecting seeds is necessary for the plantations.
2) Those grown crop plants should be nurtured in the second stage.
3.) To avoid loss, crops should be protected and harvested in the third stage.
Classification of activities to improve yields of crop
In order to improve crop yield, crop variety improvement, crop production improvement, and crop protection management are classified.
Crop variety Improvement
Characteristics such as disease resistance, response to fertilizers, high yields, and product quality are considered in the selection of a variety of crops. Adding desirable characteristics to this variety of crops is the only way to improve crops. When genetically non-similar plants are crossed for incorporating desirable characteristics, the method is called Hybridisation. This crossing mainly includes three types which are intervarietal, intergeneric, and interspecific. If the cross takes place among different varieties of plants then it is an intervarietal (Hybridization) type of cross. If the cross takes place among two different species of the same genus then it is an interspecific (Hybridization) type of cross. If the cross takes place among different genera then it is an intergeneric (Hybridization) type of cross. Sometimes, desirable genes are incorporated into the crop genome which is referred to as genetically modified crops.
Factors for which a variety of improvements have been done
A number of reasons are added to improve varieties of crops and they are as follows:
- Higher yield
- Improved quality
- Biotic and Abiotic resistance
- Wider Adaptability
- Change in maturity duration
- Desirable agronomic characteristics
Crop production Management
The cultivation and harvesting of crops occur in the crop production management process. There are three production practices that can bring farming practices and agricultural technologies. No-cost production, low-cost production, and high-cost production are different levels at which production practices can be done.
Nutrient management
Nutrients are the basic requirement for proper growth and development. Most plants get nutrients through the air, soil, and water for their well-being. Among all of them, nutrients that are needed in large amounts by the plants are known as macro-nutrients. And, the nutrients that are needed in small amounts by the plants are known as micro-nutrients.
Different nutrients are supplied by water, air, and soil.
- Water
The plants get both hydrogen and oxygen from water.
- Air
Both carbon and oxygen are provided to the plants through the air.
- Soil
Nutrients such as calcium, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium are also supplied by the soil which is basically macronutrients. Nutrients such as boron, copper, chlorine, molybdenum, iron, and manganese are micronutrients that are supplied by the soil.
Manure
Both plant and animal waste such as sewage, dry leaves twigs, agricultural wastes, dead plants, and sludge, form manure. The manure provides small quantities of nutrients to the soil, but the manure contains organic matter in large quantities. The soil becomes rich in nutrients and organic matter which helps to increase fertility.
Classification of manure based on the type of biological materials used includes compost and vermicompost and Green manure. The process where decomposition of biological waste takes place in pits is referred to as composting. In order to hasten, the process where earthworms prepare compost that process is known as Green manure.
Fertilizers
It is a plant nutrient that is produced commercially to supply phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. The fertilizers are useful in making plants healthier to grow. The main endeavor of using fertilizers is to get a chemical-free yields.
Irrigation
A kind of artificial process where water is supplied to the crops to meet water requirements is known as irrigation. For the crops, it is necessary to give the correct amount of water on time during the growing stages. So, the Irrigation process takes care of the water supply to the crops at the right stages. This process can be useful in increasing the yields of crops.
Cropping Patterns
The cropping patterns include parts of the area which contain various crops. Cropping patterns have three types which include intercropping, crop rotation, and mixed cropping. When two or more crops are cultivated in a specific row pattern simultaneously on the same area of land then this technique is known as Intercropping. The technique which is practiced in preplanned succession for the variety of crops grown on the same land then it is referred to as Crop rotation. When the cultivation of crops takes place simultaneously on the same piece of land then it is known as Mixed cropping.
Crop Protection Management
A large number of insect pests, weeds, and diseases infest the field crops. Crops such as Xanthium are weeds that are unwanted plants in the area of cultivation. Weeds are harmful to the crop’s growth as they take nutrients. For crop protection, methods like preparing a good seedbed, mechanical removal of weeds, and planting the seeds in a timely fashion are helpful against weeds.
Some effects of pests and insects on crops
There are different ways in which insects and pests can affect crops. These are dangerous for the plants because they can cut different parts like the stem, root, and leaves of the plants. They are also responsible for reducing the yields of crops. Different parts of plants are responsible for sucking the cell sap. Many microorganisms like fungi and viruses can cause different harmful diseases in the plants and these have the ability to destroy yielded crops.
Factors responsible for storage loss
Biotic factors like fungi, insects, mites, bacteria, and rodents are responsible for storage losses. These can affect storage loss in many ways by degradation in quality, poor germinability, and discoloration of produce.
Control measures and prevention of storage loss
- Before storage, strict cleaning of the product is important.
- In sunlight and in shade, drying of produce is also necessary.
- To kill pests, fumigation with chemicals can be effective.
Animal Husbandry
This is a type of management where animals are kept and maintained for commercial uses. Breeding, feeding, and disease control are included in this management for products like eggs, milk, and meat.
Cattle farming
In India, cattle farming is done by farmers. For milk and agricultural labor work, cattle are managed by almost all farmers. Bos indicus or cow and Bos bubalis or buffalo are the common species that are mostly reared. Draught animals are also used for farm labor. For extended lactation, exotic breeds of animals are also maintained.
Poultry farming.
When domestic fowls are raised to get products such as eggs and chicken meat, that animal husbandry is called poultry farming. Example of Indian variety includes Ghahus, Busra Chittagong, and Aseel. Leghorns and Minorca are mostly reared.
Fishery
Fish is a source of protein that can be obtained from freshwater bodies and the sea. Aquaculture is a popular process where fishes are captured. Marine fisheries and Inland fisheries are types of fisheries. In the marine fisheries, fish and other crabs, prawns, and lobsters are captured from the oceans and seas. In Inland fisheries, fishing in lakes, tanks, and rivers takes place. Various fishes like Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, and Grass carp are reared in this type of fishery.
Beekeeping
Beekeeping has become an agricultural enterprise because of honey production. When the bees are kept and properly maintained for the honey and wax production then that process is called Beekeeping or Apiculture. This is a source of additional income due to its low investment and high demand for honey. The beehives can be used for wax in many medicinal preparations. Apis cerana indica is also known as the Indian bee which is commonly used to produce honey. Various honeybees are useful for commercial honey production.
Following are some examples of honeybees that are commonly used for honey production:
Apis cerana Indica (Indian bee)
Apis dorsata (Rock bee)
Apis florae (Little bee)
Apis mellifera (Italian bee)
Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Notes Improvement in Food Production
What is ‘Hybridization’?
When genetically non-similar plants are crossed for incorporating desirable characters then the method is known as Hybridisation.
Are weeds harmful to the crops?
Yes, weeds are harmful to the growing plants because they take up all the nutrients and crops don’t get enough nutrients. Also, they reduce land value and crop production.
Give some examples of freshwater fish.
Rohu, Mrigal, and Catla are examples of fish that are present in the freshwater.
What is Beekeeping?
When the bees are kept and properly maintained for the honey and wax production then that process is called Beekeeping or Apiculture.
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