Assam ASSEB HSLC NSQF Agriculture and Horticulture flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Horticulture

The science and art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants. It includes pomology, olericulture, floriculture and landscape horticulture as its main branches.

Agro-climatic zones of Assam

Assam is divided into Upper Brahmaputra Valley, Lower Brahmaputra Valley, Barak Valley and Hill zone. Each zone differs in rainfall, soil and cropping pattern, guiding crop selection.

Soil profile horizons

A vertical section of soil showing layers: O (organic litter), A (humus-rich topsoil), B (subsoil accumulation), C (weathered parent material) and R (bedrock).

Cation exchange capacity

The ability of a soil to hold exchangeable cations such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Soils with higher clay and organic matter content generally have higher CEC.

Soil pH ranges

Soil reaction classification: acidic below 6.5, neutral 6.5 to 7.5, alkaline above 7.5. Assam soils are usually acidic and may need lime to raise pH.

Photosynthesis equation

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy yields C6H12O6 + 6O2. It occurs in chloroplasts, producing glucose for growth and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

Plant hormones

Auxin promotes elongation and rooting, gibberellin promotes stem elongation and germination, cytokinin promotes cell division, abscisic acid induces dormancy, and ethylene ripens fruit.

Xylem and phloem

Xylem transports water and dissolved minerals from roots to shoots. Phloem transports prepared food, mainly sucrose, from leaves to growing and storage organs.

Kharif and rabi seasons

Kharif crops are sown with monsoon rains (June to October), such as rice and jute. Rabi crops are grown in winter (October to March), such as mustard and lentil.

Nitrogen fixation by pulses

Leguminous pulse crops form nodules with Rhizobium bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. This enriches soil fertility and benefits the following crop.

Commercial crops of Assam

Tea is Assam's leading plantation crop, followed by jute as a major fibre crop. Sugarcane, cotton and tobacco are also grown as commercial crops.

Orchard layout systems

Arrangements for planting fruit trees: square, rectangular, quincunx, hexagonal and contour systems. Choice depends on slope, species and mechanization needs.

Vegetative propagation

Asexual reproduction of plants using cuttings, layering, grafting, budding or tissue culture. It produces genetically identical plants and shortens the time to bearing.

Pruning and training

Pruning removes unwanted branches to shape the canopy and improve light and air movement. Training directs growth into a desired framework for higher yield.

Disease triangle

Plant disease develops when a susceptible host, a virulent pathogen and a favourable environment occur together. Breaking any one of the three prevents the disease.

Integrated Pest Management

A combined approach using cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods to control pests. Chemical pesticides are used only when pest levels cross the economic threshold.

Economic threshold level

The pest population density at which control measures become economically justified. It prevents unnecessary spraying and avoids economic loss from pest damage.

Biological control agents

Living organisms used to suppress pests: Trichoderma against fungal pathogens, Bacillus thuringiensis against caterpillars, ladybird beetles and parasitoid wasps against insects.

Tillage implements

The plough is a primary tillage tool that inverts soil. Harrows and cultivators are secondary tillage implements that break clods, level soil and control weeds.

Mechanical advantage

The ratio of load overcome to effort applied in a simple machine. It indicates how much a machine multiplies the applied force.

Drip irrigation

A method delivering water slowly and directly to the root zone through emitters. It saves water, reduces weed growth and suits horticultural crops.

Soil erosion types

Loss of topsoil by splash, sheet, rill, gully or wind erosion. Water erosion is severe in Assam's high-rainfall hill slopes and shifting cultivation areas.

Soil conservation measures

Practices that reduce erosion: contour bunding, terracing, contour ploughing, strip cropping, check dams, vegetative barriers and mulching.

Composite fish culture

Stocking surface, column and bottom feeding fish together in one pond. Catla, rohu, mrigal and exotic carps use different niches, raising total yield.

Integrated farming system

Combining crops, livestock, poultry and fisheries on one farm. By-products and manure are recycled, reducing input costs and increasing income.

Gross margin

Gross return minus variable cost of production. It measures the profitability of an enterprise and helps farmers compare alternative crop choices.

Agricultural marketing channel

The path produce follows from producer to consumer, such as producer, village trader, wholesaler, retailer and consumer. Longer chains reduce the producer's price share.

Organic farming

A production system avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. It relies on compost, green manure, biofertilizers, crop rotation and biological pest control.

Biofertilizers

Microbial inoculants that improve nutrient availability: Rhizobium, Azotobacter and Azospirillum fix nitrogen, while phosphate-solubilizing bacteria release bound phosphorus.

Vermicomposting

Using earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. It is a low-cost organic input and a viable agro-based enterprise.

Soil sampling procedure

Collect soil from several spots in a zigzag pattern at plough depth, mix thoroughly, quarter to a composite sample, air-dry and label it before testing.

Germination percentage

Calculated as the number of seeds germinated divided by total seeds sown, multiplied by 100. It indicates seed viability and sowing quality.