Odisha CHSE +2 Vocational Crop Production key terms

The branch of agricultural science that deals with field crop production and soil management, covering the practices used to grow crops on a large scale.

The pattern in which crops are grown on a piece of land over time, including the sequence and combination of crops and the practices applied to them.

The ratio of the total cropped area to the net sown area in a year, usually expressed as a percentage, showing how many times land is cropped annually.

Growing two or more crops on the same field in a single year, either in sequence or simultaneously, to increase total output per unit of land.

Growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in separate rows or strips, so that the crops compete and are harvested separately.

Growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same land over successive seasons to maintain soil fertility and interrupt pest and disease cycles.

The relative proportion of sand, silt and clay particles in a soil, which determines how the soil feels and how it holds water and nutrients.

The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates or crumbs, which controls pore space, aeration, water movement and root penetration in the soil.

The mass of dry soil per unit of its total volume, including pore space, used as a measure of compaction and soil physical condition.

The total quantity of exchangeable positively charged ions a soil can hold on its clay and organic matter surfaces, expressed in centimoles per kilogram.

The proportion of the soil's cation exchange capacity occupied by basic cations such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium rather than acidic ions.

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil solution on a scale of 0 to 14, which strongly influences nutrient availability to crops.

The amount of liming material needed to raise the pH of an acidic soil to a target level suitable for the crop to be grown.

A chemical element that a plant must obtain to complete its life cycle, whose absence causes specific deficiency symptoms that only that element can correct.

The soil test value of a nutrient below which a crop response to added fertilizer is likely and above which the addition may not be profitable.

The guaranteed percentage content of nitrogen, phosphorus expressed as phosphate, and potassium expressed as potash in a fertilizer, shown as three numbers.

Supplying crop nutrients through a combination of mineral fertilizers, organic manures, biofertilizers and crop residues to sustain yields and soil health.

A crop grown mainly to be ploughed into the soil while still green, so that its biomass adds organic matter and nutrients for the next crop.

The superior vigour, yield or other performance of a hybrid offspring compared with the average of its two parents, exploited in hybrid crop breeding.

A strain produced by repeated self-pollination and selection so that all plants are genetically uniform and breed true in later generations.

A variety developed by mixing seed of several selected lines and allowing open pollination, giving broad adaptation and farmer-saved seed potential.

The proportion of plants or seeds in a lot that belong to the stated variety, a key quality attribute checked during seed certification.

An official quality-control process in which seed production is inspected and tested to confirm that it meets prescribed standards of purity and germination.

The proportion of seeds in a sample that produce normal seedlings under specified test conditions, used to decide sowing rate and seed value.

The quantity of seed sown per unit area, calculated from the desired plant population, seed weight and expected germination and field establishment.

The number of plants of a crop present per unit area of field, which affects competition for light, water and nutrients and therefore yield.

The stage in a crop's growth when weed competition most reduces yield, so that weed control during this window is essential.

A chemical used to kill or suppress weeds, applied either to the soil before weed emergence or to weed foliage after emergence.

A strategy that combines cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods to keep pest populations below damaging levels with least harm to the environment.

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

The water content remaining in a soil after excess water has drained away by gravity, representing the upper limit of water readily available to plants.

The soil water content below which a plant can no longer extract water and remains wilted even when placed in a humid atmosphere.

Deciding when and how much water to apply to a crop, based on soil moisture, crop water requirement and growth stage, to avoid stress and waste.

The amount of crop produce obtained per unit of water used, indicating how effectively irrigation or rainfall is converted into yield.

The energy available on a farm from human, animal, mechanical or electrical sources to carry out operations such as tillage, sowing and threshing.

A tool or machine such as a plough, harrow or cultivator used to loosen, invert or level soil in preparation for sowing a crop.

The reduction in quantity or quality of produce between harvesting and consumption, caused by spillage, spoilage, pests, moisture and poor handling.

Processing or grading a farm product to raise its market worth, such as milling, cleaning, packaging or converting raw produce into a finished good.

The total expenditure incurred in producing a crop, including inputs, labour, machinery and other operational costs per unit of land.

The total revenue received from the sale of farm produce and by-products before deducting any production or marketing costs.

The route a farm product follows from producer to consumer, including the sequence of intermediaries such as traders, wholesalers and retailers.

A production system that relies on organic manures, biological pest control and crop rotations while avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Farming that meets present food needs without depleting soil, water and biodiversity resources needed by future generations.

The recommended set of agronomic steps for a crop, covering variety, sowing time, spacing, nutrition, water and protection, issued for local conditions.