Extra 30 short questions and answers from the chapter:15 "Improvement in Food Resources" for Class 9 Science (CBSE):-

 

1. What are Kharif crops? Give two examples.
✅ Answer:
Kharif crops are grown in the rainy season (June-October) and require high water supply.
Examples: Rice, Maize, Cotton.

 

2. What are Rabi crops? Give two examples.
✅ Answer:
Rabi crops are grown in the winter season (October-March) and need cold weather.
Examples: Wheat, Mustard, Peas.

 

3. What is crop rotation? Why is it important?
✅ Answer:
Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops in the same field in successive seasons.
Importance:

Prevents soil depletion.

Reduces pests and diseases.

Maintains soil fertility.

 

4. What are the differences between mixed cropping and intercropping?
✅ Answer:

Mixed Cropping	Intercropping
Growing two or more crops together in the same field.	Growing crops in alternate rows in a definite pattern.
Crops are randomly sown.	Crops are arranged in specific rows.
Reduces risk of crop failure.	Increases yield by efficient space use.

 

5. What are manures? Name two types.
✅ Answer:
Manures are organic substances obtained from decomposed plant and animal waste to improve soil fertility.
Types:

Compost manure

– Made from decomposed plant waste.

Farmyard manure

– Made from animal dung and urine.

 

6. What are fertilizers? How are they different from manures?
✅ Answer:
Fertilizers are chemical substances rich in plant nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Difference:

Fertilizers

– Artificial, fast-acting, and specific in nutrients.

Manures

– Natural, slow-acting, and improve soil texture.

 

7. What is organic farming?
✅ Answer:
Organic farming is a method of growing crops without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It relies on:

Organic manure and compost.

Crop rotation and biological pest control.

 

8. What are biofertilizers? Give two examples.
✅ Answer:
Biofertilizers are living organisms (bacteria, fungi) that enrich soil fertility.
Examples:

Rhizobium

– Fixes nitrogen in leguminous plants.

Azotobacter

– Fixes nitrogen in non-leguminous plants.

 

9. What are weedicides? Give one example.
✅ Answer:
Weedicides are chemicals used to kill weeds.
Example: 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid).

 

10. What is hybridization in crops?
✅ Answer:
Hybridization is the cross-breeding of two different plant varieties to produce better crop varieties with:

Higher yield.

Disease resistance.

Improved quality.

 

11-20: Animal Husbandry and Fisheries

11. What is animal husbandry?
✅ Answer:
Animal husbandry is the scientific management and breeding of livestock like cows, buffaloes, sheep, and poultry for food and other products.

 

12. What are the advantages of cattle farming?
✅ Answer:

Provides milk and dairy products.

Produces manure for farming.

Helps in agricultural work (

ploughing

, transportation).

 

13. What is the difference between milch and draught animals?
✅ Answer:

Milch

animals

– Used for milk production (e.g., Cow, Buffalo).

Draught animals

– Used for agricultural work (e.g., Bullock, Camel).

 

14. What is poultry farming?
✅ Answer:
Poultry farming is the raising of domestic birds like hens, ducks, and turkeys for eggs and meat.

 

15. Name two exotic breeds of cattle and their importance.
✅ Answer:

Jersey

– High milk yield.

Holstein Friesian

– High butterfat content in milk.

 

16. What is apiculture?
✅ Answer:
Apiculture is the rearing of honeybees for honey and wax production. The common species used is Apis indica.

 

17. What is sericulture?
✅ Answer:
Sericulture is the rearing of silkworms (Bombyx mori) for silk production.

 

18. Name two marine and two freshwater fishes.
✅ Answer:

Marine fish

– Pomfret, Tuna.

Freshwater fish

– Rohu,

Catla

.

 

19. What is composite fish culture?
✅ Answer:
Composite fish culture is the practice of rearing different species of fish in the same pond to utilize all levels of the pond.

 

20. How does fish farming help in food production?
✅ Answer:

Provides protein-rich food.

Reduces overfishing in natural waters.

Increases fish yield through controlled farming.

 

21-30: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production

21. What are genetically modified (GM) crops?
✅ Answer:
GM crops have been scientifically altered for improved yield, pest resistance, and nutrient content.
Example: Bt Cotton (resistant to bollworm).

 

22. What is vermicomposting?
✅ Answer:
Vermicomposting is the decomposition of organic waste using earthworms to produce nutrient-rich compost.

 

23. How does mixed cropping benefit farmers?
✅ Answer:

Reduces risk of crop failure.

Maintains soil fertility.

Ensures continuous yield.

 

24. What is the role of Rhizobium bacteria in agriculture?
✅ Answer:
Rhizobium fixes atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates in leguminous plant roots, making soil fertile.

 

25. What are the major sources of nutrients for plants?
✅ Answer:

Soil (provides minerals).

Air (provides carbon dioxide).

Water (provides hydrogen and oxygen).

 

26. Why is drip irrigation preferred in dry areas?
✅ Answer:

Reduces water wastage.

Supplies water directly to roots.

Increases crop yield in dry regions.

 

27. What is the importance of silage in animal farming?
✅ Answer:
Silage is fermented green fodder used for feeding cattle. It helps in:

Providing food during dry seasons.

Improving milk production.

 

28. How can we improve food production without harming the environment?
✅ Answer:

Use organic fertilizers.

Reduce chemical pesticides.

Practice crop rotation and intercropping.

 

29. What is the importance of honey in human health?
✅ Answer:

Contains natural sugars for energy.

Has antibacterial properties.

Helps in digestion and immunity.

 

30. How does proper storage prevent food loss?
✅ Answer:

Prevents spoilage due to moisture and pests.

Reduces wastage of grains and perishable items.

Ensures food availability during shortages.