8th Class Science Crop Production and Management Crop Improvement Harvesting and Storage

       Crop Harvesting and Storage

It is the method of cutting and gathering of the matured crops from the field. It is done either manually or with the help of machines. Certain crop, like rice and wheat is harvested manually by using the cutting tools known as sickles. It can also be done by using the machines called harvesters. After harvesting, the next step is to separate the seeds from the plants, which is known as the threshing. The machine used for the threshing is known as the thresher. After threshing the chaff is separated from the grains with the help of wind and is known as winnowing. After winnowing, the grains is cleaned, dried and filled into the bags and is stored. The storage is done both traditionally and scientifically. In traditional method, it is stored in the air tight container, where no moisture is left. Before storing the grains it is dried properly, so that it is not damaged by the moulds or yeasts. Storing of food has several purposes. It helps to make stock for the scarcity or famine. It also helps to maintain the uniform supply through out the year.

         Crop Improvement

The demand of the food is increasing day by day due to the rapid increase in population. To meet the increasing food demand, the crop production must have to be increased. The scientific techniques are used to improve the quality, quantity and nutritional value of the food. There are various methods of crop improvements. The traditional method of crop improvement is by hybridization.

In this method plants of desirable traits is breed among themselves. It can also be done by the genetic engineering, in which plants of desired traits are produces by implanting the gene of desired traits. The other methods of development of new varieties of crop in elude random change in the DNA of the plants. Genetic modification is the latest method of crop improvement. In this method, a fragment of DNA carrying the desired genetic information is planted into the identified species of the plant. It provides larger genetic pool, which helps to develop the different varieties of crops.

         In old days, harvesting was done manually. But now a days it is done in the field itself with the help of machine. The process of separating grains from the chaff and hay with the help of wind is known as:

(a) Threshing

(b) Harvesting

(c) Gathering 

(d) Winnowing

(e) None of these

Answer: (d)

      Arranging the following in correct order:

(1) Manuring                                      (2) Sowing

(3) Irrigation                                       (4) Harvesting

(a) 2 --> 1 --> 3 --> 4

(b) 1 --> 2 --> 3 --> 4

(c) 2 --> 3 --> 4 --> 1

(d) 3 --> 1 --> 2 --> 4

(e) None of these

Answer: (a)

Explanation

The correct sequential order followed in agriculture is:

Sowing --> --> Manuring Irrigation --> Harvesting.

• India has attained food sufficiency in 1960.
• By 1950 India had lost half of its forest resources.
• The modern almond is native to Asia even though it is primarily produced in Australia, California and Mediterranean.
• The first ever genetically modified food was introduced in 1990, and today it has become the major parts of our food.
• We can produce the insect resistance plant by incorporating the gene for toxin production form the body of bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis into the plant.

• Agriculture is a process of production of food on large scale to fulfill the needs and requirement of the growing population.
• There are two crop seasons, Kharif and Rabi.
• The soil should be prepared well before sowing the seeds.
• Seeds should be sown at the proper depth so that they get sufficient amount of amount of sunlight and water.
• The chemicals and fertilizers have increased the production of the crops by many folds.
• Water should be supplied at regular interval to fulfill the requirement of the crops. It is known as irrigation.
• Removal of unwanted plants from the crops is necessary in order to facilitate the proper growth and development of the crops.
• Harvesting and gathering of crop should be done after the crop is fully matured.
• Separation of grains from chaff is known as threshing.
• Food materials obtained from the animals and animals reared for this purpose is known as animal husbandry.