📝 Question Paper - Improvement in Food Resources
Class IX - Science (Chapter 12) | WITH COMPLETE ANSWER KEY
🎯 Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each) - Total: 5 Marks
Instructions: Choose the correct option. Each question carries 1 mark.
India's population is growing rapidly. To feed this population without expanding farmland, we need to: 1 Mark
Correct Option: Increase production efficiency through scientific farming
India is already intensively cultivated. We must increase productivity through scientific methods like better seeds, proper irrigation, nutrient management, and crop protection. This is how India achieved 4-fold increase in food production from 1952-2010 with only 25% increase in farmland.
Which of the following is an example of hybridization in crop improvement? 1 Mark
Correct Option: Crossing two different varieties of wheat
Hybridization refers to crossing genetically dissimilar plants. This can be intervarietal (between different varieties), interspecific (between species), or intergeneric (between genera). Crossing wheat varieties is intervarietal hybridization.
Which crop management practice involves growing two or more crops in a definite pattern? 1 Mark
Correct Option: Inter-cropping
Inter-cropping grows 2+ crops in a DEFINITE PATTERN (alternating rows). Example: soybean + maize. Mixed cropping has no specific pattern. Crop rotation is different crops in successive years.
Which of the following is the main advantage of manure over chemical fertilizers in the long term? 1 Mark
Correct Option: It improves soil fertility and soil structure
Manure contains organic matter that increases water retention in sandy soils and improves drainage in clayey soils. It maintains long-term soil fertility and supports beneficial microorganisms. Continuous fertilizer use destroys soil fertility.
In composite fish culture, different fish species are selected based on: 1 Mark
Correct Option: Their different food habits and feeding zones
Multiple species are selected so they don't compete. Catla is surface feeder, Rohu is middle-zone feeder, Mrigal and Common Carp are bottom feeders, Grass Carp eats weeds. Each uses different food sources from different zones.
✍️ Section B: Short Answer Questions (2 Marks Each) - Total: 16 Marks
Instructions: Answer any 8 questions. Each question carries 2 marks. (Word limit: 30-40 words)
Why is it important to have desirable agronomic characteristics in crop varieties? Give one example. 2 Marks
Desirable agronomic characteristics help achieve higher productivity. Example: Dwarfness in cereals - dwarf plants consume fewer nutrients, so more nutrients go to grain production, increasing yield. Also, dwarf plants don't lodge (fall over) easily.
✓ Link to productivity ✓ Give specific example ✓ Explain the advantage
Name four sources from which plants get nutrients. 2 Marks
- Air: Carbon and oxygen
- Water: Hydrogen and oxygen
- Soil (Macronutrients): N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S
- Soil (Micronutrients): Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo, Cl
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic stresses in crops? Give one example of each. 2 Marks
| Biotic Stress | Abiotic Stress |
|---|---|
| Living organisms (diseases, insects, nematodes) | Non-living factors (drought, salinity, heat) |
| Example: Pest attack | Example: Drought |
Write two preventive measures to control plant diseases without using pesticides. 2 Marks
- Use resistant varieties: Cultivating crops with natural disease resistance
- Crop rotation: Growing different crops in successive years to break disease cycles
Explain why storage of grains is as important as their production. 2 Marks
Storage prevents 10-20% grain loss due to: (1) Biotic factors - insects, rodents, fungi damage grains; (2) Abiotic factors - improper temperature and humidity cause degradation. Good storage practices (cleaning, drying, fumigation) are crucial for food security.
📚 Section C: Medium Answer Questions (3 Marks Each) - Sample (6 Questions Total)
Instructions: Answer any 6 questions. Each question carries 3 marks. (Word limit: 80-100 words)
What are the three pillars of crop improvement? Explain their significance in food production. 3 Marks
Three Pillars:
- Crop Variety Improvement: Hybridization or genetic modification for better seeds with good yield, disease resistance, desirable characteristics
- Crop Production Management: Managing nutrients (manure/fertilizers), irrigation (wells/canals), and cropping patterns (inter-cropping/rotation)
- Crop Protection Management: Protecting from weeds, pests, diseases through pesticides or preventive methods
Significance: All three work together. Good seeds without proper care fail. Without protection, pests cause yield loss.
Compare manure and chemical fertilizers. Which one is better for long-term sustainability? 3 Marks
| Manure | Chemical Fertilizers |
|---|---|
| Organic matter content | Pure nutrients (N, P, K) |
| Slow long-lasting effect | Fast results |
| Improves soil structure | No improvement |
| Supports beneficial microbes | Can harm soil bacteria |
Best approach: Integrated Nutrient Management - use BOTH for immediate + long-term benefits.
Explain inter-cropping with a suitable example. What are its advantages? 3 Marks
Inter-cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously in a DEFINITE pattern.
Example: Soybean + Maize - a few rows of soybean alternating with a few rows of maize.
Advantages:
- No nutrient competition (different requirements)
- Better space utilization
- Disease/pest control
- Higher yield per unit area
- Soil enrichment (legumes fix nitrogen)
Why is organic farming considered better than conventional farming for long-term sustainability? 3 Marks
Organic farming uses minimal/no chemicals, relying on natural methods:
Why it's sustainable:
- Soil health: Organic manures maintain fertility without chemical damage
- No pollution: Avoids synthetic pesticides
- Ecosystem balance: Promotes beneficial insects and microorganisms
- Crop systems: Crop rotation and inter-cropping prevent pest cycles
- Long-term yields: Stable, sustainable production
- Health benefits: Chemical-free produce healthier
📖 Section D: Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each) - Sample (4 Questions Total)
Instructions: Answer any 4 questions. Each question carries 5 marks. (Word limit: 150-200 words)
Explain the term "sustainable agriculture" and why it is essential for India. How can we achieve sustainable food production? 5 Marks
Sustainable Agriculture: Farming practices that meet current food needs WITHOUT damaging environment or depleting resources for future generations.
Why essential for India:
- Over 1 billion population with limited land
- Green Revolution used resources intensively, causing environmental degradation
- Must increase production while protecting soil, water, biodiversity
- Improves farmer income and food security
How to achieve sustainable food production:
- Integrated Nutrient Management (manure + fertilizers)
- Crop rotation & inter-cropping
- Rainwater harvesting for irrigation
- Organic farming methods
- Mixed farming (crops + livestock)
- Disease-resistant crop varieties
Result: Continuous food production with environmental protection and farmer prosperity.
Discuss the role of crop protection management in ensuring high crop yields. What methods would you recommend? 5 Marks
Role of Crop Protection: Protects crops from weeds, pests, and diseases that can cause 50-70% yield loss.
Problems controlled:
- Weeds: Compete for nutrients, light, water
- Insect pests: Cut stems, suck sap, bore into fruits
- Diseases: Bacteria, fungi, viruses
Environment-friendly methods (PREFERRED):
- Use resistant varieties
- Inter-cropping
- Crop rotation
- Summer ploughing
- Proper seed bed preparation
- Timely sowing
- Mechanical removal
- Bio-pesticides (neem, turmeric)
Why preferred: These prevent pest build-up without poisoning soil, water, or beneficial organisms.
🔍 Section E: Case Study (4 Marks) - Total: 4 Marks
Ramesh, a farmer from Uttar Pradesh, owns a 5-hectare farm. For 20 years, he grew wheat and rice using local seeds, minimal irrigation, no fertilizers, and no pest control. Average yield: 2 tonnes per hectare.
In 2015, Ramesh attended a training on modern farming. He learned about improved seed varieties, drip irrigation, using fertilizers with manure, inter-cropping, crop rotation, and resistant varieties.
After 3 years, his yields increased to 4.5 tonnes/hectare. His net income doubled. Soil tests showed improved soil health.
How did Ramesh double his wheat yield? Explain which practices contributed. 2 Marks
Ramesh used Three Pillars:
1. Crop Variety Improvement: Switched to improved varieties (shorter duration, disease resistant).
2. Crop Production Management:
- Drip irrigation for efficient water supply
- Combined fertilizers with manure
- Inter-cropping wheat + mustard
3. Crop Protection Management:
- Resistant varieties instead of pesticides
- Crop rotation to break pest cycles
Why did soil health improve after 3 years of scientific farming? 2 Marks
Why soil health improved:
- Manure + fertilizers: Manure adds organic matter, maintaining beneficial microorganisms
- Crop rotation: Different crops prevent nutrient depletion. Legumes fix nitrogen
- Inter-cropping: Two crops utilize nutrients better
- Reduced chemicals: Resistant varieties reduce pesticide pollution
- Water conservation: Drip irrigation prevents waterlogging and erosion
Result: Soil organic matter increased, beneficial bacteria multiplied, sustainable productivity!
📊 Summary: Key Points to Remember
🌾 Three Pillars of Crop Improvement
- Variety Improvement: Hybridization, genetic modification
- Production Management: Nutrients, irrigation, cropping patterns
- Protection Management: Resistant varieties, intercropping, rotation
🐄 Animal Husbandry Practices
- Cattle: Cross-breeding for milk production and disease resistance
- Poultry: Layers and broilers with protein-rich diet
- Fish: Composite culture with different feeding habits (30-40% higher yield)
- Bees: Italian variety, quality depends on pasturage (flowers)
♻️ Sustainable Approach
- Integrated Nutrient Management (manure + fertilizers)
- Organic farming with bio-agents
- Water conservation through rainwater harvesting
- Crop protection through natural methods
