Haryana BSEH Senior Secondary NSQF Agriculture key terms

The number of crops grown on the same piece of land in one agricultural year, expressed as a percentage of the net sown area. Growing two crops gives 200 percent intensity.

A planned sequence of different crops grown on the same field over successive seasons to maintain soil fertility, interrupt pest cycles and balance nutrient use.

Growing a leafy legume crop such as dhaincha or sunhemp and ploughing it into the soil while still green to add organic matter and nitrogen.

The quantity of seed sown per unit area, usually expressed in kilograms per hectare, calculated so that the desired plant population is achieved after germination and mortality losses.

The proportion of seeds in a sample that produce normal seedlings under standard test conditions, used to adjust seed rate and judge seed lot quality.

The stage of crop growth during which weed presence causes the greatest yield loss, typically early vegetative growth, so weed control must be timed to this window.

Combining cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods in a planned way to keep weeds below the economic threshold rather than relying on one method alone.

The relative proportions of sand, silt and clay particles in a soil, which determine water holding capacity, drainage, aeration and workability of the field.

The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates or clods, influencing pore space, root penetration, infiltration and resistance to erosion.

The carbon held in soil organic matter, a key indicator of soil fertility, biological activity and aggregate stability; it is maintained by residue return and organic manures.

A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a scale of 0 to 14; it controls nutrient availability, microbial activity and choice of crops and amendments.

The water content remaining in a soil after excess water has drained away by gravity, usually one to three days after heavy rain or irrigation.

The soil moisture level below which plants can no longer extract water and remain wilted even in a humid atmosphere; the lower limit of available water.

The portion of soil moisture held between field capacity and permanent wilting point that plant roots can absorb, expressed as depth per unit soil depth.

A report issued after soil testing that lists nutrient status and recommended fertiliser doses for the farmer's specific field and crop.

Adding calcium sulphate to sodic soils to replace exchangeable sodium with calcium, improving structure, infiltration and crop growth in alkali patches.

The downward movement of soluble salts and nutrients through the soil profile with percolating water, used to reclaim saline soils but also a cause of nitrogen loss.

The pest population density at which control measures should be applied to prevent the pest from reaching the level that causes economic loss.

A decision-based approach that combines monitoring, cultural, mechanical, biological and need-based chemical control to keep pests below economic thresholds with least harm to the environment.

A trap baited with a synthetic sex attractant to monitor or mass-capture insect adults, helping time control measures against pests such as fruit fly and bollworm.

A chemical formulation used to kill or suppress weeds; selectivity, dose, stage of application and sprayer calibration determine whether the crop is also injured.

Growing seedlings in a protected or managed bed with good seedbed preparation, sowing density and watering before transplanting them to the main field.

Moving seedlings from the nursery to the main field at the correct age and spacing, with care to avoid root injury and to ensure establishment.

Gradually reducing water and exposing nursery seedlings to open conditions before transplanting so they withstand field shock and establish faster.

Removing selected branches, shoots or roots to shape a plant, improve light penetration and air movement, and balance vegetative growth with fruit production.

Directing the growth of a plant into a desired framework or shape using supports, ties and pruning during early years, mainly in orchard and vine crops.

Managing the arrangement and density of shoots and leaves in a crop canopy to optimise light interception, airflow and yield quality.

A feed mixture that supplies all required nutrients in correct proportion and quantity for a given animal's maintenance and production needs over 24 hours.

Feed low in fibre and high in digestible energy or protein, such as grain or oilcake, used as a supplement to roughage in livestock diets.

A complete feed prepared by blending roughage, concentrate, minerals and additives uniformly so that every animal receives the intended balanced diet in each bite.

The first milk secreted after calving, rich in antibodies and nutrients, which newborn calves must receive within the first hours of life for immunity.

A splined shaft on a tractor that transmits engine power to implements such as rotavators, threshers and sprayers at a standard rotational speed.

A linkage with two lower arms and one upper arm that attaches implements to a tractor and allows their height and tilt to be controlled hydraulically.

The horizontal force required to pull an implement through the soil, affected by soil condition, implement width, depth and speed of operation.

Applying water slowly and directly to the root zone through emitters on tubes, saving water and allowing fertigation with reduced weed growth between rows.

Supplying soluble fertilisers to crops through an irrigation system, most commonly drip, so nutrients reach the root zone in small frequent doses.

The crop yield or biomass produced per unit of water used, improved by efficient application methods, scheduling and reduced evaporation and conveyance losses.

The total expenditure incurred per unit area in raising a crop, including seed, fertiliser, labour, machinery, irrigation and interest on working capital.

Gross return from a crop minus variable costs of production; it measures the returns to fixed resources and helps compare competing crop enterprises.

The ratio of total returns to total costs of an enterprise, used to judge whether an investment or crop plan is economically worthwhile.

The quantity of produce left after meeting the farm family's own consumption, seed and other needs, which is available for sale in the market.

A price announced by government for specified crops to protect farmers from distress sale when market prices fall below the declared level.

Processing or packaging a raw farm product into a higher-value form, such as grading, drying, milling or branding, to increase income and shelf life.

A planned technique such as demonstration, field day, group meeting or mass media used by extension workers to transfer knowledge and change farmer practice.

A small field laid out to compare recommended practice with local practice, used to show farmers visible results and encourage adoption.

The decision by a farmer to use a recommended technology or practice on a continuing basis after learning about and trying it.

Items such as gloves, goggles, mask, apron and boots worn to protect the body from pesticide exposure, dust, sharp tools and machinery hazards.

Safe procedures for storing, mixing, spraying and disposing of pesticide containers, including reading the label, using protective gear and never reusing containers.

The minimum time that must pass after a pesticide application before workers may enter the treated field without protective equipment.