Quick Revision Notes & Formula Sheet

Class: 9th Science
Chapter: Improvement in Food Resources
Board: MP Board

Agriculture: The science and art of cultivating plants and livestock.
Crop: Plants of the same kind grown on a large scale at one place for food, clothing, etc.
Kharif Crops (Rainy Season Crops): Grown from June to October.
- Examples: Paddy (Rice), Maize, Soybean, Cotton, Groundnut.
Rabi Crops (Winter Season Crops): Grown from November to April.
- Examples: Wheat, Gram, Peas, Mustard, Linseed.

Hybridisation: Crossing between genetically dissimilar plants to obtain a new variety with desirable characters (high yield, disease resistance, etc.).
Genetically Modified Crops (GMC): Crops whose DNA is modified using genetic engineering to incorporate desired traits.
Desirable Agronomic Traits:
- Tallerness and profuse branching for Fodder crops.
- Dwarfness for Cereals (so that nutrients are consumed properly and they don't lodge easily).

Proper management practices followed by farmers for high yields include:

Nutrient Management: Plants require 16 essential nutrients.
- Macronutrients (Required in large quantities): Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulphur (S).
- Micronutrients / Trace Elements (Required in small quantities): Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Chlorine (Cl).
Manure vs. Fertilizers:
- Manure: Natural substance obtained from the decomposition of animal wastes and plant residue. Enriches soil with organic matter/humus.
- Fertilizers: Commercially produced plant nutrients. Inorganic in nature; supply N, P, K in high amounts. Excessive use harms soil fertility.
Irrigation: Supply of water to crops at regular intervals.
- Types: Wells, Canals, Rivers, Tanks, Tube wells.
- Modern Methods: Sprinkler system, Drip system.
Cropping Patterns:
- Mixed Cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land (e.g., Wheat + Gram). Reduces risk of total crop failure.
- Inter-cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously in a definite pattern (e.g., Row 1: Crop A, Row 2: Crop B).
- Crop Rotation: Growing different crops on a piece of land in a pre-planned succession.

Crops in the field are infested by weeds, insect pests, and diseases.

Weeds: Unwanted plants in the cultivated field (e.g., Xanthium, Parthenium). Controlled by weedicides.
Insect Pests: Attack plants in three ways:
1. Cutting root, stem, and leaves.
2. Sucking cell sap from various plant parts.
3. Boring into stem and fruits.
Storage Losses: Caused by biotic factors (insects, rodents, fungi, mites, bacteria) and abiotic factors (moisture and temperature in storage place).

Scientific management of animal livestock.

Milch Animals (Milk-producing): Female dairy animals (Cows, Buffaloes).
Draught Animals (Farm labour): Used for agricultural work like tilling, irrigation, and carting.
Lactation Period: The period of milk production after the birth of a calf.

Fin-shelled fish / True fish: (e.g., Rohu, Catla).
Shell-fish: Prawns, Molluscs.
Composite Fish Culture System: 5 to 6 species of fish are used in a single pond. They do not compete for food as they have different food habits:
- Catla: Surface feeders.
- Rohu: Middle-zone feeders.
- Mrigal and Common Carps: Bottom feeders.
- (Benefit: Maximum yield of fish from the pond).

Practiced for obtaining honey and wax.
Common Bee Varieties used for Honey Production:
- Apis cerana indica (Indian bee)
- Apis dorsata (Rock bee)
- Apis florae (Little bee)
- Apis mellifera (Italian bee - high honey collection capacity, stings less).
Pasturage: Flowers available to the bees for nectar and pollen collection (determines the taste of honey).

Improvement in Food Resources