NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 1 Crop Production and Management

Crop Production and Management is the first chapter of class 8 Science, dealing with different agriculture practices, soil preparation, different type of crops, fertilizers, irrigation, and crop storage, to name a few.

We eat a variety of plant based foods every day. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains and cereals are all important food groups.

But, where do they come from?

How are they grown?

This chapter from class 8 science syllbus will explain in detail. As plants give us our food, it is important to understand about agricultural practices and soil management. Students will learn about soil and its types, soil fertility, steps in agriculture like ploughing, tilling etc. and the tools used for the same.

✍ Download PDF of Class 8 Science Chapter 1 Solutions

Question 1. Select the correct word from the following list and fill in the blanks.

float, water, crop, nutrients, preparation

(a) The same kind of plants grown and cultivated on a large scale at a place is called crop.

Explanation: Crop is defined as cultivation of similar kinds of plants on a big scale.

(b) The first step before growing crops is preparation of the soil.

Explanation: There are certain practices of agriculture that should be kept in mind before growing crops. One of them is the preparation of soil.

(c) Damaged seeds would float on top of water.

Explanation: Seed selection is an important phenomenon before sowing seeds. If a seed is hollow or light in weight, then it will float on water. Hence it is damaged.

(d) For growing a crop, sufficient sunlight and nutrient and water from the soil are essential.

Explanation: Plants should not be overcrowded. If they are crowded, then they won’t be able to receive ample amount of nutrients, light and water for their growth.

Question 2. Match items in column A with those in column B.

A B

(i) Kharif crops (a) Food for cattle

(ii) Rabi crops (b) Urea and super phosphate

(iii) Chemical fertilisers (c) Animal excreta, cow dung, urine and plant waste

(iv) Organic manure (d) Wheat, gram, pea

(e) Paddy and maize

Ans.

A B

(i) Kharif crops (e) Paddy and maize

(ii) Rabi crops (d) Wheat, gram, pea

(iii) Chemical fertilisers (b) Urea and super phosphate

(iv) Organic manure (c) Animal excreta, cow dung, urine and plant waste

In rainy season, the crops that are sown are termed kharif crops, examples, maize and paddy. In winter season, rabi crops are grown, examples, pea, wheat and gram. Fertilisers include chemicals for example, super phosphate and urea. The excreta of animals, wastes from plants, urine and cow dung are organic manures.

Question 3. Give two examples of each.

(a) Kharif crop – groundnut and soyabean.

(b) Rabi crop – linseed and mustard.

Question 4. Write a paragraph in your own words on each of the following.

(a) Preparation of soil

Ans. The soil is required to be prepared for cultivating crops. It includes:

● Turning & loosening the soil so that the roots could penetrate & breathe. This is carried out with the help of a plough.

● Loose soil allows organisms like earthworms to grow.

● Organisms help in adding humus.

(b) Sowing

Ans. Scattering of seeds inside or on the earth is the process called sowing. Before this, good quality, variety and healthy seeds should be selected. Funnels can be used for sowing and drilling of seeds can be done.

(c) Weeding

Ans. Plants that are grown naturally but are not required are called weeds. The process by which weeds can be eliminated is weeding. It is required to be removed as it fights with the nearby plants for its nutrients, light, water & space. 2,4-D is a type of weedicide used to kill weeds.

(d) Threshing

Ans. Thresher is a machine which carries out the process of threshing. In this, the seeds get separated from its chaff with the help of combine (thresher). Farmers separate the chaff and grain by a winnowing machine.

Question 5. Explain how fertilisers are different from manure.

Ans. Fertilisers are man-made and are produced in factories, whereas manure is a natural product that is produced by cattle dung decomposition and is obtained in fields. Fertilisers have rich nutrients (K-potassium, P-phosphorus), whereas manures are less rich in nutrients.

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Question 6. What is irrigation? Describe two methods of irrigation which conserve water.

Ans. Crops need water at particular periods and this process of supplying water at particular time is called irrigation.

Methods:

a. Sprinkler system:

● Useful where water is less

● Perpendicular pipes are set up and connected to the main line

● Water is sprinkled on crops

b. Drip system:

● Water drips drop-by-drop

● Wastage of water is avoided

● Used for watering plants, trees and gardens

Question 7. If wheat is sown in the kharif season, what would happen? Discuss.

Ans. The wheat crop could be destroyed as wheat is a Rabi crop. Rabi crops require a certain temperature and conditions for their good growth. These crops usually grow between October-March. The kharif crops are sown between June-September, that is in rainy season.

Question 8. Explain how soil gets affected by the continuous plantation of crops in a field.

Ans. The soil will lose its nutrient quality if plantation is carried out on the same land. All plants need K-potassium, N-nitrogen and P-phosphorus for their growth. At the start, plants will consume nutrients but after regular plantations, soil will lose its efficient nutrients and yield will decrease.

Question 9. What are weeds? How can we control them?

Ans. Undesirable plants which grow with other plants are termed as weeds. These take away the nutrients and destroy the plants. Weedicides can be used for controlling them.

Question 10. Arrange the following boxes in proper order to make a flow chart of sugarcane crop production.

Ans.

Question 11. Complete the following word puzzle with the help of clues given below.

Down

1. Providing water to the crops.

2. Keeping crop grains for a long time under proper conditions.

5. Certain plants of the same kind grown on a large scale.

Across

3. A machine used for cutting the matured crop.

4. A rabi crop that is also one of the pulses.

6. A process of separating the grain from chaff.

Ans. Down:

1. Irrigation

2. Storage

3. Crop

Across:

3. Harvestor

4. Gram

6. Winnowing

Links to Other Resources for Class 8 Science

Other Class 8 Science Related Links
Understanding Structure and Functions of a Cell
Deforestation, Afforestation and Reforestation
Frictional Force Definition, and Types with Example
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Water Pollution Causes and Effects with Example