Class 9 Ch 12 Improvements in Food Resources

 Class 9 Ch 12 Improvements in Food Resources                                         

**General Agriculture & Food Sources**

*   **What are the two major sources of food for humans?** Both plants and animals are the major sources of food for us.

*   **What did the Green Revolution and White Revolution achieve?** The Green Revolution contributed to increased food-grain production, while the White Revolution led to the better availability and efficient use of milk.

*   **Which crops are major sources of carbohydrates and proteins?** Cereals (wheat, rice, maize, millets) provide carbohydrates, and pulses (gram, pea, lentil) provide proteins.

*   **What is the difference between *kharif* and *rabi* crops?** *Kharif* crops are grown in the rainy season (June to October), while *rabi* crops are grown in the winter season (November to April). 

**Crop Improvement & Management**

*   **What is plant hybridisation?** It is the crossing between genetically dissimilar plants (intervarietal, interspecific, or intergeneric) to incorporate desirable characteristics.

*   **What is the difference between macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients?** Macro-nutrients are required by plants in large quantities (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus), whereas micro-nutrients are used in small quantities (e.g., iron, zinc).

*   **How is vermi-compost prepared?** Vermi-compost is prepared by using earthworms to hasten the decomposition of plant and animal refuse.

*   **What is organic farming?** It is a farming system with maximum input of organic manures and bio-agents, and minimal or no use of chemicals like fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.

*   **What is mixed cropping?** It involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land (e.g., wheat and gram) to reduce the risk of crop failure.

*   **What is inter-cropping?** It is the practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field in a definite row pattern, ensuring maximum nutrient utilization.

*   **What is crop rotation?** It is the practice of growing different crops on a piece of land in a pre-planned succession to get good harvests and maintain moisture.

*   **Why are weeds harmful to crops?** Weeds are unwanted plants that compete with crops for food, space, and light, taking up nutrients and reducing crop growth.

**Animal Husbandry**

*   **What is animal husbandry?** It is the scientific management of animal livestock, which includes feeding, breeding, and disease control.

*   **What is the difference between milch and draught animals?** Milch animals are milk-producing females, whereas draught animals are used for agricultural labour like tilling and carting.

*   **What is the difference between layers and broilers in poultry?** Layers are raised specifically for egg production, while broilers are raised and fed a vitamin-rich diet for meat production.

**Fisheries & Bee-keeping**

*   **What is the difference between capture fishing and culture fishery?** Capture fishing involves catching fish from natural resources, while culture fishery is the farming of fish.

*   **What is mariculture?** Mariculture is the practice of farming marine fish of high economic value (like prawns, mullets, and oysters) in seawater.

*   **What is a composite fish culture system?** It is an intensive fish farming method where a combination of five or six fish species with different food habits are grown together in a single pond so they do not compete for food.

*   **What determines the taste and quality of honey in bee-keeping?** The value, quality, and taste of honey depend heavily on the pasturage, which refers to the flowers available to the bees for nectar and pollen collection.