Protection from Weeds

Agricultural Practices

Large-scale cultivation of the same kind of plants in one area is known as ‘crop’.  Crops are various kinds like grain, veggies & fruits which can be divided based on the season when they are grown. The climate of different areas can vary greatly, with differences in temperature, humidity, and precipitation levels.  There are two widely seen crops: Kharif and Rabi.  Kharif Crops: Kharif Crops are usually sown during the rainy season from June to September and include staples such as paddy, maize, soybean, groundnut & cotton.  Rabi Crops:  During the winter months (October to March) one can find Rabi crops like wheat, gram, pea, mustard, and linseed. In addition to these, some places also grow pulses & vegetables during the summer period....

Basic Practices of Crop Production

Farmers deploy a multitude of practices when cultivating crops, which is similar to the work done by gardeners and even hobbyists who grow plants in their homes. These practices unfold over time and include a variety of activities. These activities or tasks are referred to as agricultural practices. These are listed below:...

Preparation of Soil

The process of turning and loosening the soil is a vital part of agriculture as it helps the roots go deep into the ground. This activity also makes it easier for them to breathe, which helps plants access the nutrients they need from the Earth. Loosened soil is beneficial to the farmer since it facilitates the growth of earthworms and microbes. These organisms further turn and loosen the soil, adding humus to it.  Turning and loosening the soil is vital in farming, as only the shallowest layers of the earth contain the nutrients needed for plants to grow. This practice brings these essential elements to the top level, providing sustenance for crops. Tilling or ploughing refers to the activity of loosening and turning over the soil.  Ploughing is a tedious task, but it’s an essential part of cultivation. The plough itself can be made from wood or iron and the soil must sometimes be watered beforehand to soften it.  Once complete, large chunks of dirt known as ‘crumbs’ may need to be broken down before you can continue further.  Evenly leveling the land is beneficial both for sowing and irrigation. This task can be done utilizing a leveler. Some agriculturists may add manure to the soil before tilling to ensure proper distribution....

Sowing

Selection of Seeds: The production of crops depends heavily on sowing....

Adding Manure and Fertilisers

Manure and fertilizers are the chemicals that are supplied to the soil in the form of nutrients for the healthy growth of plants. Mineral nutrients are provided to agricultural plants by the soil.    The nutrients in the soil become depleted due to ongoing agricultural cultivation. In order to replace the soil’s nutrients, manuring is carried out. Manure is an organic material created when plant or animal manure breaks down.  Farmers throw manure from plants and animals in open pits and let it decay.  As organic manure, the decomposed material is employed. Fertilizers are basically a concoction of various nutrients combined to give an enhanced composition.  These are produced in factories and some commonly used fertilizers include urea, ammonium sulfate, superphosphate, potash & NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium). Farmers are now able to harvest crops like maize, wheat, and paddy with greater success thanks to the usage of fertilizers.  The land is now less fertile due to the overuse of fertilizers. As a result of fertilizers, water is now being contaminated. In order to maintain the soil’s fertility, we must either use organic manure in place of fertilizers or leave the land fallow (uncultivated) in between two crops. Manure application enhances the soil’s water-retentive properties and texture. It provides new nutrients to the soil....

Irrigation

Water is necessary for healthy growth and development.  The roots of plants take in water. Minerals and fertilizers are absorbed in addition to water.  Nearly 90% of plants are made of water. Because dry circumstances prevent seeds from germinating, water is necessary.  Each component of the plant receives nutrients that have been dissolved in water.  The crop is also shielded by water from both hot air currents and frost.  Fields must be routinely watered to keep the soil moist for wholesome crop growth. Irrigation is the process of regularly supplying crops with water. Depending on the crop, the soil, the season, and the amount of irrigation needed, different times and frequencies are used....

Protection from Weeds

In a field, several undesired plants may naturally grow alongside the crop known as weeds. Weeding is the process of eliminating weeds.  Weeds compete with crop plants for resources like light, space, water, and nutrients, hence weeding is important.  Some weeds can even prevent harvesting and provide a risk of poisoning both humans and animals.  Before planting crops, tilling aids in uprooting and eliminating weeds, which may then dry out and combine with the soil.  The manual removal process occasionally involves physically removing weeds by uprooting or cutting them close to the ground.  Khurpi assistance is used to do this. In order to remove weeds, a seed drill is also employed. The use of weedicides, such as 2,4-D, is another method of controlling weeds. With the appropriate amount of water dilution, the weedicides are applied to the fields using a sprayer. Weedicides are sprayed on weeds during their vegetative growth, which occurs before they flower and produce seeds. During the spraying of these chemicals, the farmers should use a piece of cloth to protect their mouths and nose....

Harvesting

Harvesting is the act of cutting a crop once it is fully grown.  In our nation, harvesting is either carried out by hand with a sickle or by a machine known as a harvester.  Grain seeds must be distinguished from chaff in the harvested crop via threshing. Threshing is done with the use of a device called a “combine,” which is actually a harvester and a thresher. Stubs left in the field after threshing are disposed of by burning. This leads to air pollution. Winnowing is used by small-scale farmers to separate the grain from the chaff.  At the time of harvest, certain festivals are celebrated in India to mark the completion of the process.  Pongal, Baisakhi, Holi, Diwali, Nabanya, and Bihu are some of the harvest festivals....

Storage

If the harvested grains are to be stored for a longer period of time, they must be protected from moisture, pests, rodents, and microbes. Freshly harvested grains (seeds) that are not dried before storing risk becoming spoiled or infected by microorganisms, rendering them unusable or incapable of germination.   As a result, the grains are adequately dried in the sun before being stored to lower their moisture content.  By doing this, bacteria, fungi, and insect pests are kept at bay. Jute bags or metal bins are used by farmers to store crops. To keep them safe from rats and insects, enormous quantities of grains are stored in granaries and silos. For preserving grains at home, neem leaves that have been dried are utilized....

Food from Animals

Animal husbandry refers to the practice of raising animals on a big scale. Cod liver oil is obtained from fish which is rich in vitamin D....

FAQs on Crop Production and Management

Q1: What are the two main cropping patterns in India? Give examples....