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Agriculture is the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock for the basic requirement of human beings. Fertilizers are organic or inorganic products used for the fertilization of the soil. Living beings require nutrients for growth.Human beings and animals rely on plants for nutrients. Plants can prepare their food but they need nutrients from the soil to produce food. Sometimes, the soil may lack important nutrients required by plants to prepare food. Fertilizers aid the growth of crops by providing important nutrients such as potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus to the plants.
| Table of Content |
Key Takeaways: Agriculture, Crops, Agricultural Practices, Pastoral farming, Mixed farming, Arable farming, Fertilizers, Manure, Organic fertilizers, Inorganic fertilizers
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What is Agriculture?
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Agriculture is the process of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock to fulfill the basic requirements of human beings. It is carried out in several phases and involves a set approach and course of action for growing crops.
The agriculture industry is a growing industry. The technical improvements in the agricultural sector have made the management of crops easier than it was in ancient times.
Agricultural Practices
The various agricultural practices followed are:
- Soil Preparation/ Ploughing: The first practice is to level, plough and manure the soil.
- Sowing: After soil preparation, good quality seeds should be selected and sown.
- Manuring: The soil is then manured to provide the soil with all the necessary nutrients.
- Irrigation: The soil is then supplied with water.
- Weeding: Removal of unwanted plants or weeds that crop among the crops is called weeding.
- Harvesting: Crops are cut and gathered for further processing.
- Storage: The grains are then stored for later selling in the market.
Types of Agriculture
Agriculture is divided into three main farming practices. These are as follows:
Pastoral Farming:
Pastoral farming basically includes raising animals and livestock. This includes animals such as sheep, hens, cows, etc.
Arable Farming:
Arable farming refers to growing crops and yielding grains. It includes wheat, barley, paddy, etc.
Mixed Farming:
A combination of pastoral farming and arable farming is called mixed farming.
Fertilizers
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Fertilizers are organic or inorganic products used for the fertilization of the soil. These are available in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms. Fertilizers provide the soil with necessary nutrients.
Manure acts as a natural source of nutrients for the soil. Manure includes leaves, human excreta, cow dung, and other organic wastes. Manure and Fertilizers provide the soil with essential nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. They contain organic chemicals and salt and aid higher yield.
Types of Fertilizers
There are two types of fertilizers:
Organic Fertilizers
Fertilizers that are obtained organically are termed Organic Fertilizers. Such fertilizers are acquired from crop residue, vegetable wastes, and animal manures. Some types of organic fertilizers are poultry manure, cow manure, earthworm casting, etc. Organic manure is created using the method of Composting. In Composting, manure, vegetable peels, and other organic waste are left underground and stored for a long time, to turn them into manure.
Inorganic Fertilizers
Inorganic fertilizers are chemical-based fertilizers. They are also called mineral fertilizers. The most common chemicals used in inorganic fertilizers are potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. They can most commonly be categorized as Potassium fertilizers, Nitrogen Fertilizers, and Phosphorus fertilizers.
Use of Fertilizers in Agriculture
The use of fertilizers in large amounts should be avoided. Fertilizers, when used constantly, may lead to a decrease in the fertility of the soil. Excessive use of fertilizers can lead to water pollution during over-irrigation. Fertilizers can sometimes lead to diseases in crops. They may harm the microbes.
Nowadays, organic farming is gaining popularity as fertilizers have many disadvantages. Manures and natural compost are used in organic farming.
Chemical Fertilizers
Inorganic fertilizers are made from chemicals and chemical compounds. Some of the chemical fertilizers are:
- Ammoniacal-nitrate fertilizers
- Potassic fertilizers
- Water-soluble phosphatic fertilizers
- Nitrate fertilizers
- Ammoniacal fertilizers
- Citric acid-soluble phosphatic fertilizers
- Amide fertilizers
- Insoluble phosphatic fertilizers
- Nitrogen fertilizers
- Phosphorus fertilizers
- Potassium fertilizers
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Things to Remember
- Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock for basic requirements of human beings.
- Agriculture industry is a growing industry. The technical improvements in the agricultural sector have made management of crops easier than it was in ancient times.
- The various agricultural practices followed are soil preparation, sowing, manuring, irrigation, weeding, harvesting, and storage.
- The three types of farming are pastoral farming, arable farming, and mixed farming.
- Fertilizers are organic or inorganic products used for fertilization of soil. They provide necessary nutrients to the soil.
- Manure acts as a natural source of nutrients for the soil. Manure includes leaves, human excreta, cow dung and other organic wastes.
- Fertilizers that are obtained organically are termed organic Fertilizers whereas Inorganic fertilizers are chemical based fertilizers.
- Inorganic fertilizers can be most commonly categorized as Potassium fertilizers, Nitrogen Fertilizers, and Phosphorus fertilizers.
- Excessive use of fertilizers should be avoided. Fertilizers, when used constantly, may lead to decrease in the fertility of soil.
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Important Questions
Ques: Write a note on Potassium fertilizer. (2 Marks)
Ans: Potassium fertilizers are mineral fertilizers. They are made from potassium and its compounds. Potassium is essential for the growth of crops. It aids the transport of sugar and starch throughout the plant. It also aids the process of photosynthesis in plants. Deficiency of potassium may lead to wilting of stems and loss of color in leaves. Some fertilizers that are made from potassium are potassium nitrate, potassium sulphate, and potassium chloride.
Ques: What is Crop Production? (2 Marks)
Ans: The practice of growing and producing crops is known as crop production. These crops are later used as food and fibre. Practices used in crop production are Soil Preparation, Sowing, Manuring, Irrigation, Weeding, Harvesting, and Storage. There are various factors that affect crop production such as climate, fertility of the soil, pests, diseases, availability of water, etc.
Ques: Write a short note on Manure. (3 Marks)
Ans: Manure is used to increase the fertility of the soil. It is made from leaves, human excreta, cow dung, and other organic wastes. It is made from organic components. Manure is rich in nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
There are three types of manure:
- Green Manure: Green manure prevents soil erosion. It is absorbed deep into the soil as it makes the soil rich in organic matter.
- Compost Manure: Compost manure helps in the development and growth of crops and makes the soil rich in nutrients.
- Farmyard Manure: Farmyard manure is beneficial to the microbes in the soil. It provides soil with essential minerals.
Ques: Write a short note on Crop Protection. (3 Marks)
Ans: The practice of protecting the crops from diseases, weeds, pests, and other agents which can harm the soil is called crop protection. Crops need protection from pests, mites, insects, rats, and even birds. Crop protection is important throughout the agricultural process to protect the crops from damage from such agents. Crop Protection includes plant disease management, weed management, and pest management.
Ques: What is the difference between Manure and Fertilizers? (5 Marks)
Ans:
| Fertilizers | Manure |
|---|---|
| Fertilizers can be organic or inorganic. | Manure is organic. |
| Fertilizers are produced in factories. | Manure is prepared in fields. |
| Fertilizers can harm the microbes present in the soil. | Manure doesn’t harm the microbes present in the soil. |
| Crops absorb nutrients from fertilizers quickly. | Crops absorb nutrients from manure slowly. |
| Fertilizers are Expensive. | Manure is cost-effective. |
Ques: What are organic and inorganic fertilizers? (5 Marks)
Ans: Organic Fertilizers: Fertilizers that are obtained organically are termed organic Fertilizers. Such fertilizers are acquired from crop residue, vegetable wastes, and animal manures. Some types of organic fertilizers are poultry manure, cow manure, earthworm casting, etc. In Composting, manure, vegetable peels, and other organic waste are left underground and stored for a long time, to turn them into manure.
Inorganic Fertilizers: Inorganic fertilizers are chemical-based fertilizers. They are also called mineral fertilizers. The most common chemicals used in inorganic fertilizers are potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Inorganic fertilizers can be most commonly categorized as Potassium fertilizers, Nitrogen Fertilizers, and Phosphorus fertilizers.
Ques: What are agricultural practices? Define in detail. (5 Marks)
Ans: The measures which are followed to raise crops are called agricultural practices. Different agricultural practices are discussed below.
- Soil Preparation: The first practice is to level, plough and manure the soil.
- Sowing: After soil preparation, good quality seeds should be selected and sown. The sowing of seeds can be done manually or by using drill machines.
- Manuring: The soil is then manured .i.e. natural or chemical compounds are used to provide soil with all the necessary nutrients.
- Irrigation: The soil is then supplied with water. It is necessary to avoid over irrigation as it may harm the crops.
- Weeding: Removal of unwanted plants or weeds that crop among the crops is called weeding.
- Harvesting: After the maturation of crops, they are cut and gathered.
- Storage: The grains are then stored for later selling in the market.
Ques: Differentiate between Nitrogen and Phosphorus fertilizers. (5 Marks)
Ans: Nitrogen and Phosphorus fertilizers are mineral fertilizers. Mineral fertilizers are also called inorganic fertilizers.
- Nitrogen Fertilizers
Nitrogen fertilizers are made from nitrogen and its compounds. Nitrogen is essential for growth of crops as it is a fundamental protein source. The fertilizers based on nitrogen are ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate. Urea and Ammonia are efficient when used as a fertilizer.
- Phosphorus Fertilizers
Phosphorus fertilizers are made from phosphorus and its compounds. Phosphorus is essential for crops as it aids them in fighting other diseases. It also helps in betterment of quality of crops Some fertilizers that are based on phosphorus are Superphosphate, Di-ammonium phosphate, and Triple phosphate.
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