Crop Production and Management
Introduction
In order to provide food for a large population, regular production, proper
management and distribution of food is necessary.
When plants of same kind are grown and cultivated at one place on a large scale,
it is called a crop.
Two broad cropping patterns can be identified which are: -
o Kharif Crop: Such crops are grown in rainy season from June to
September. Example: Paddy.
o Rabi Crop: Such crops are grown in winter season. Time period is from
October to March. Example: Wheat.
To grow crops, various activities are performed which are known as agricultural
practices.
Preparation of Soil
The process of loosening and turning of soil is called ploughing/ tilling. It is
done with the help of hoe or plough. It is the first step in crop production.
Importance of Ploughing/ Tilling
It loosens the soil for better root penetration.
It helps in the growth of friendly microbes like earthworms, etc.
It uproots the weeds and these weeds ultimately turns into humus and enhances
the fertility of soil.
Air pores are formed in the soil for the roots to respire properly.
Instruments used for Ploughing/ tilling
Plough: It contains a strong triangular iron strip called ploughshare and a long
log of wood called a plough shaft.
Hoe: It is a device used for removing the weeds and loosening the soil. It consists
of a large rod of wood or iron. A strong, broad and bend piece of iron is fixed at
one end and works like a blade.
Cultivator: Now a days, ploughing is done by tractor driven cultivator. It saves
time and labour.
Selection of Seeds
First of all, seeds are put in a beaker containing water.
Seeds which sink to the bottom are healthy and can be used for sowing.
Seeds which float on the surface are hollow from inside and are discarded.
Traditional tools for sowing the seeds: -
It is funnel shaped where seeds are filled. Then, the seeds passes through two or
three sharp ends which pierce the soil and place the seeds there.
Seed Drill
It is modern device used for sowing seeds.
Advantages of seed drill: -
o It sows the seeds at proper distance and depth which prevents
overcrowding and competitions for space, nutrition, water, sunlight, etc.
o Seeds are covered from soil which prevents them from being eaten by
birds.
o Saves time and labour.
Fertilizers and Manures
Continuously growing crops in a piece of land makes the soil less fertile. So,
farmers make use of proper amounts of manures and fertilizers to replenish the
fertility of soil.
Manure is an organic substance obtained from the decomposition of plant and
animal wastes. To make it, farmers dump plant and animal wastes in pits at open
places where it is decomposed by micro-organisms.
Advantages of manuring:
o It enhances the water holding capacity of the soil.
o It makes the soil porous due to which exchange of gases become easy.
o It improves the texture of the soil.
o It increases the number of friendly microbes.
Fertilizers are also used in replenishing the lost nutrients and minerals in the soil.
They are the chemicals used to add minerals like potassium, phosphorus and
nitrates to the soil.
Fertilizers are produced in factories. Some examples of fertilizers are urea,
ammonium sulphate, potash, NPK, etc. The use of fertilizers increase the crop
yield. However, there are some disadvantages of using fertilizers.
Disadvantages of Fertilizers:
o Excess use of fertilizers destroy the texture of the soil and turn it infertile.
o Fertilizers get washed away with water and mixes with water bodies
causing water pollution.
o Excess fertilizers kill the friendly microbes like earthworms present in the
soil.
Difference between manure and fertilizer
Manures Fertilizers
i. Manures are prepared in the field. i. Are prepared in the factories.
ii. Manure is a natural substance ii. A fertiliser is an inorganic salt.
obtained by the decomposition of cattle
dung, human waste and plant residues.
iii. Provide humus to the soil. iii. Do not provide humus to the soil.
iv. Are relatively not so rich in plant iv. Are very rich in plant nutrients like
nutrients. nitrogen, potassium, etc.
Irrigation
The supply of water to crops at different intervals is called irrigation. The time
and frequency of irrigation varies from place to place, crop to crop or season to
season.
Traditional Methods of Irrigation
Water present in lakes, wells, ponds, etc. are lifted up by various ways and are
used for irrigation. This method is not very efficient and require lots of time and
human effort. Some traditional methods of irrigation are moat, dhekli, etc.
Modern methods of Irrigation
Sprinkler System: This method consists of perpendicular pipes having rotating
nozzles on top which is joined to a main pipeline. When water is passed through
the main pipeline at high pressure, it escapes from the rotating nozzles and get
sprinkled over the crops. Such method is useful in uneven land and places
having scarcity of water.
Drip Irrigation: In this method, water fall drop by drop just at the position of the
roots. So, it is called drip irrigation. It is the best technique for watering fruit
plants, gardens, trees, etc. Water is not wasted at all. It is boon in regions where
availability of water is less.
Weeding
There are many undesirable plants that may grow naturally along the crops.
These are called weeds. The removal of weeds is called weeding.
Reasons for weeding:
Weeds compete with crops for nutrient, water, sunlight, space and may effect the
growth of crops.
Some weeds even interfere in harvesting and may be poisonous for animals and
human beings.
Ways of removing Weeds
Farmers adopt many ways to remove weeds and control their growth.
Tilling before sowing of crops help in killing and uprooting of weeds which then
dry up and get mixed with soil. Khurpi is also used to remove weeds by
uprooting and cutting them close to ground. A seed drill is also used to uproot
weeds.
Weedicides: They are also controlled by spraying certain chemicals. They kill
weeds and don’t damage the crops. They are called weedicides. They may affect
the health of farmers and must be handled carefully.
Harvesting
The cutting of crop after it is mature is called harvesting. It is done by sickle or
harvester. Winnowing and threshing are methods which help in separation of
grains from the chaff.
Combine is a machine used to perform harvesting and threshing at the same
time.
Ways to store Grains
Grains are dried in the sun to reduce their moisture content so as to protect them
from the attack of pests, insects, etc.
Large scale storage of grains are done in silos and granaries to protect them from
rats and pests. Special chemical treatment is also done to protect the growth of
fungus, bacteria, etc.
Dried neem leaves are used to store grains at home.
Animal Husbandry
Rearing of animals at home or in farms at a large scale is called animal
husbandry.
Here animals are provided with proper food, shelter and care.
