Maharashtra HSC Agricultural Science & Technology key terms

The number of crops raised on the same piece of land in one agricultural year, expressed as a percentage of the net sown area; multiple cropping raises this value above 100 per cent.

Growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same field over successive seasons to maintain soil fertility, break pest cycles and balance nutrient use.

Growing a quick-growing leguminous crop and ploughing it into the soil while still green so that its biomass and fixed nitrogen enrich the field before the main crop.

The growth stage during which weeds must be controlled to prevent the largest yield loss; it usually falls in the early vegetative phase after crop emergence.

A decision-based approach that combines resistant varieties, cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods to keep pest populations below economic injury levels with least harm to the environment.

The pest population density at which control measures should be applied to stop the population from reaching the level where economic damage occurs.

A chemical formulation used to kill or suppress weeds; selective types spare the crop while non-selective types kill all vegetation and are used mainly for pre-planting or directed sprays.

Suppression of a pest population by introducing or conserving its natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids and pathogens, thereby reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.

A set of four experimental steps used to prove that a specific microorganism causes a particular disease: constant association, isolation in pure culture, inoculation causing symptoms, and re-isolation.

The total quantity of exchangeable cations a soil can hold per unit mass, usually expressed in centimoles of charge per kilogram; it reflects the soil's nutrient-holding ability.

The proportion of the soil's cation exchange capacity occupied by basic cations such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, expressed as a percentage of total exchangeable cations.

The degree of acidity or alkalinity of the soil solution measured as pH; it governs nutrient availability, microbial activity and the choice of crops and amendments.

The carbon fraction of soil organic matter, determined by wet oxidation; it indicates soil fertility status and is maintained by residue recycling, farmyard manure and green manuring.

Downward movement of soluble salts and nutrients through the soil profile with percolating water, often removing nitrate and sulphate nitrogen beyond the root zone.

Accumulation of soluble salts in the root zone to levels that impair germination, water uptake and crop growth, commonly measured through electrical conductivity of the soil extract.

Balanced use of organic manures, biofertilisers and mineral fertilisers in the right quantity and timing to sustain crop yields while protecting soil health.

The total water used by a crop through transpiration and evaporation from the soil surface, together with water retained in plant tissue, over the growing season.

The area of land irrigated by a unit discharge of water over a given period, usually expressed in hectares per cubic metre per second; it shrinks as losses increase.

A micro-irrigation method that delivers water and nutrients directly to the root zone through emitters at low pressure, saving water and reducing weed growth between rows.

The power available at the tractor power take-off shaft for driving implements such as threshers, pumps and sprayers; it is always lower than engine horsepower because of transmission losses.

The pulling force an implement needs to work the soil, usually expressed in kilograms or newtons per unit width of cut; it determines the size of tractor required.

Feedstuff high in crude fibre and low in energy, such as straw, hay and silage, that maintains rumen function and is supplied in bulk to ruminant animals.

Feedstuff low in fibre and rich in digestible nutrients such as cereal grains and oil cakes, used to supplement roughage for higher milk yield in dairy animals.

A complete feed prepared by weighing and blending roughage, concentrate, minerals and additives into one uniform mixture offered to dairy animals, preventing selective feeding and rumen upsets.

Milk yield standardised to a fixed fat percentage, usually 4 per cent, so that animals producing milk of different fat content can be compared on a common energy basis.

The first thick, yellowish secretion after calving, rich in antibodies and vitamin A, which must be fed to the newborn calf within the first hours of life.

The ratio of total discounted benefits to total discounted costs of a farm investment or enterprise, used to judge whether the project returns more than it consumes.

Gross income from a crop or enterprise minus its variable costs; it measures the contribution of the enterprise towards fixed costs and farm profit.

The sum of future cash inflows and outflows of a project discounted to the present at a chosen rate; a positive value indicates the investment is worthwhile.

A farmer-owned institution that collects, grades, processes and sells members' produce collectively to secure better prices and reduce exploitation by intermediaries.

The quantity of produce a farm household offers for sale after retaining seed, feed, home consumption and wastage; it drives the flow of produce to markets.

Fruit that shows a marked rise in respiration and ethylene production at ripening and can be ripened after harvest, such as banana, mango and tomato.

Storage of produce in a sealed chamber where oxygen is reduced and carbon dioxide raised, slowing respiration and extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

An unbroken series of refrigerated handling, transport and storage steps from harvest to retail that keeps perishable produce within its safe temperature range.

Processing or packaging a raw farm commodity into a product of higher market worth, such as converting milk into paneer or fruit into jam, raising farmer income.

A planned way of communicating information to farmers, ranging from individual farm visits and group meetings to mass media, chosen to suit the audience and the message.

The mental sequence a farmer passes through from first hearing about an innovation to finally accepting and continuing its use: awareness, interest, evaluation, trial and adoption.

A field-based extension method in which a proven practice is shown to farmers under local conditions so that they can see results and gain confidence before adopting it.

Removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide and its storage in soil organic matter, plant biomass or long-lived products, reducing the greenhouse effect.

Nutrient enrichment of water bodies, mainly by nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from fields, which causes algal blooms, oxygen depletion and loss of aquatic life.