Crop Production & Management

Explanation
Preparation of soil is the first step followed in agricultural practices. Before sowing seeds or planting crops, the soil needs to be prepared to create a suitable environment for growth. This involves removing weeds, loosening the soil, and adding fertilizers or organic matter to improve its fertility. Proper soil preparation ensures that the seeds or plants have access to essential nutrients, water, and oxygen, promoting healthy growth and maximizing crop yields. Irrigation, sowing, and storing are subsequent steps in the agricultural process.

Explanation
Fertilizers are substances that are added to soil or plants to provide essential nutrients that are necessary for plant growth. They are specifically formulated to be rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. On the other hand, manure is organic matter that is used as a natural fertilizer. While manure does contain nutrients, it is generally less concentrated compared to fertilizers. Therefore, the statement that fertilizers are rich in nutrients whereas manures are less rich in nutrients is true.

Explanation
Levelling is typically done after ploughing. Ploughing is the process of breaking up and turning over the soil to prepare it for planting, while levelling is the process of smoothing out the surface of the soil to ensure an even distribution of water and nutrients. Therefore, ploughing is usually done first to prepare the soil, and then levelling is done to create a suitable surface for planting.

Explanation
Drip and sprinkler systems are both methods of irrigation. Irrigation refers to the artificial application of water to plants or crops to help them grow. Drip irrigation involves delivering water directly to the roots of plants through a network of tubes or pipes, while sprinkler irrigation involves spraying water over the plants like rainfall. Both methods are commonly used in agriculture to efficiently and effectively provide water to crops, ensuring their proper growth and development.

Explanation
Irrigation refers to the process of watering the crop field at regular intervals. This is done to provide the necessary amount of water to the crops for their growth and development. Irrigation helps to maintain the moisture level in the soil, ensuring that the crops receive sufficient water for their needs. It is an essential practice in agriculture to ensure optimal crop yield and maintain the health of the plants.

Explanation
Cotton is a Kharif crop because it is typically sown during the monsoon season, which is known as the Kharif season in India. Kharif crops are usually sown in the rainy season and harvested in the winter or early spring. Cotton requires warm temperatures and a lot of water to grow, which makes it suitable for cultivation during the monsoon season. Wheat, gram, and pea, on the other hand, are Rabi crops that are sown in winter and harvested in spring.

Explanation
Crop rotation is the practice of growing a cereal crop and a pulse crop alternately in the same field in successive seasons. This technique helps to improve soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. By rotating different crops, the nutrient demands of each crop are balanced, and the risk of soil depletion and pest infestation is minimized. Crop rotation also helps to break the life cycle of pests and diseases that may be specific to certain crops, contributing to sustainable and healthy agricultural practices.

Explanation
Threshing is the process of separating grains from the stalks. It involves beating or striking the harvested crop to loosen the edible part (grains) from the non-edible part (stalks). This can be done manually or with the help of machines. Harvesting refers to the process of gathering mature crops from the field. Winnowing is the process of separating grains from chaff or husk using air currents. Weeding is the process of removing unwanted plants or weeds from the field.

Explanation
Granaries are a common method used by farmers to store grains on a large scale. These structures are specifically designed to provide a suitable environment for grain storage, protecting the grains from moisture, pests, and other external factors that could cause spoilage. Granaries are typically made of materials such as wood, concrete, or metal, and they often have features like ventilation systems and insulation to ensure the grains remain in good condition. Therefore, granaries are a suitable option for storing grains in large quantities.

Explanation
Rice powder is not used to protect grains from microbes because it is made from rice, which is a grain itself. Using rice powder to protect grains would not be effective as it would not provide any additional protection against microbes.