Maharashtra HSC Crop Science (Vocational) key terms

The branch of agricultural science that studies field crops: how they grow, how they are classified, and how they are managed for yield. It combines crop botany, soil and water management, protection and harvesting into one applied field of study.

The grouping of crops by shared features such as season (kharif, rabi), life cycle (annual, biennial, perennial), economic use (cereal, pulse, oilseed, fibre) or growth habit. Grouping helps farmers plan rotations, irrigation and harvesting in an organised way.

A crop sown with the onset of the monsoon and harvested in the rainy season, roughly June to October. Examples are rice, sorghum, cotton and groundnut. These crops generally need high rainfall and warm temperatures during growth.

A crop sown after the monsoon, usually October to December, and harvested in the cool dry months. Wheat, chickpea, mustard and lentil are common examples. They generally depend on residual soil moisture or controlled irrigation rather than rain.

The pattern in which crops are grown on a piece of land over time, including their sequence and the management practices used. It may be a single crop, a rotation, or mixed and intercropping arrangements.

Growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same field across seasons. Alternating cereals with legumes helps restore soil nitrogen, breaks pest and disease cycles, and reduces the build-up of weeds.

Growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in distinct rows or strips. The crops should differ in canopy, rooting depth or duration so they use light, water and nutrients more efficiently and give some insurance against failure.

The relative proportion of sand, silt and clay particles in a soil. Texture governs water holding, drainage, aeration and workability, so it strongly influences which crops suit a field and how it should be irrigated.

The way soil particles are bound together into aggregates, giving the soil its crumbly or cloddy arrangement. Good structure creates pore space for air and roots, improves water movement and makes tillage and seedbed preparation easier.

A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 neutral. Most crops grow best between about 6.0 and 7.5. Extremes limit nutrient availability and microbial activity and may require lime or gypsum.

The decaying plant and animal residues and living organisms present in soil. It holds nutrients and water, improves structure and feeds soil microbes. Its level falls with continuous tillage and rises with manure and residue retention.

Laboratory analysis of a soil sample to estimate available nutrients, pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon. Results are used to decide fertiliser doses and amendments, so sampling must be representative of the field.

An element that a plant must obtain to complete its life cycle, and whose absence causes specific deficiency symptoms that only that element can correct. Sixteen elements are recognised, split into macronutrients and micronutrients.

An essential element needed by plants in relatively large amounts. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur are the six macronutrients; nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the ones most often supplied as fertiliser.

An essential element required by plants in very small amounts, yet still necessary for normal growth. Iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, molybdenum and chlorine are examples. Shortage or excess both cause crop problems.

A visible change in a plant, such as yellowing, stunting, purple tinting or dead leaf edges, that indicates shortage of a particular nutrient. Where the symptom appears first helps identify which nutrient is lacking and what corrective input is needed.

A material, usually manufactured or mined, applied to supply one or more essential plant nutrients in a concentrated available form. Fertilisers are classified as straight, complex or mixed and are dosed according to soil tests and crop needs.

A fertiliser that supplies only one major nutrient, such as urea for nitrogen, single superphosphate for phosphorus, or muriate of potash for potassium. The nutrient content is stated as a percentage on the bag.

A manufactured fertiliser containing two or more major nutrients in every granule, such as diammonium phosphate or NPK 10:26:26. Each granule has a uniform composition, so the material is easy to spread evenly.

The three numbers printed on a fertiliser bag giving the percentage of nitrogen, available phosphorus (as P2O5) and potassium (as K2O) in that order. It lets a farmer calculate how much product is needed to meet a nutrient dose.

The quantity of each nutrient advised for a given crop and yield target, usually expressed in kilograms per hectare. It is based on soil test values and crop requirement, and should be split and timed to match crop demand.

Well-rotted mixture of cattle dung, urine and bedding used as a bulky organic manure. It supplies organic matter and small amounts of nutrients, improves soil structure and water holding, and is normally applied and mixed into the soil before sowing.

A crop grown mainly to be ploughed back into the soil while still green, so that its biomass enriches organic matter and adds nitrogen if it is a legume. Sunhemp and dhaincha are typical examples.

Organic material produced by controlled microbial decomposition of crop residues, weeds, dung and household waste. Mature compost is dark, crumbly and free of foul smell, and is used to build soil fertility and organic matter.

Mechanical working of the soil to loosen it, control weeds and prepare a seedbed. It may be primary, breaking up the surface layer, or secondary, refining the surface. Excessive tillage damages structure and organic matter.

The prepared layer of soil in which seed is sown. A good seedbed is level, free of clods and weeds, firm enough to hold moisture and fine enough at the surface for even germination and uniform seedling emergence.

The distance below the soil surface at which seed is placed. Too shallow risks drying out; too deep exhausts the seedling before it reaches light. Depth should suit seed size, soil texture and available moisture.

Deciding when to irrigate and how much water to apply, based on crop stage, soil moisture and weather. Good scheduling avoids both moisture stress and over-watering, which wastes water, leaches nutrients and can waterlog the soil.

The amount of water a soil retains after excess water has drained away freely and downward movement has nearly stopped. It represents the upper useful limit of stored soil moisture for most crops and is used in scheduling irrigation.

Applying water slowly and frequently through emitters or drippers placed near the plant root zone. It saves water, limits weed growth between rows and allows fertiliser to be delivered with water, but the lines need filtering and maintenance.

Removal of surplus water from the soil surface or root zone by open drains, buried pipes or raised beds. Adequate drainage keeps air in the soil, protects roots from rotting and allows timely field operations after heavy rain.

A plant growing where it is not wanted, competing with the crop for light, water and nutrients and often harbouring pests. Weeds are managed by cultural, mechanical, chemical and biological methods, ideally in combination.

A decision-based approach to crop protection that combines resistant varieties, cultural practices, biological control, monitoring and, only when justified, judicious pesticide use. The aim is to keep pest populations below damaging levels with least harm to the environment.

The pest population density at which the value of crop loss it would cause equals the cost of control. It is the practical trigger for spraying, so that pesticides are used only when they pay and are truly needed.

A chemical used to kill or suppress weeds. Selective herbicides act on weeds without seriously harming the crop, while non-selective ones kill most vegetation. Correct dose, stage and sprayer calibration are essential for safety and effectiveness.

A tool or machine, drawn by animals or a tractor or powered separately, that performs a field operation such as ploughing, harrowing, sowing, spraying or threshing. Matching the implement to the job and soil saves time and fuel.

An implement that opens furrows, drops seed at a set rate and depth, and covers it, usually in rows. It gives more uniform plant stands than broadcasting and uses less seed, but the metering mechanism must be calibrated.

The proportion of seeds in a sample that produce normal seedlings under standard test conditions. It is a key measure of seed quality and is used to adjust sowing rate so that the desired plant population is achieved.

The ability of a seed to remain alive and capable of germinating when given suitable moisture, warmth and air. Viability declines with age and poor storage, and is assessed by germination tests or tetrazolium staining.

A formal system in which seed of a notified variety is inspected in the field and tested in the laboratory to confirm varietal purity, health and germination. Certified seed carries a tag stating class, lot and test results.

Reduction in quantity or quality of produce between harvest and final use, caused by spillage, spoilage, pests, rodents, moisture and poor handling. Losses are reduced by timely harvesting, drying, clean storage and good packaging.

The grain moisture level below which produce can be stored without rapid mould growth or insect attack. It varies with crop, generally around 12 to 14 percent for cereals, and is checked with a moisture meter before bagging.

Sorting produce into uniform lots by size, colour, shape, maturity or quality so that each lot can be sold at a price matching its standard. Grading improves market acceptability and reduces rejections and disputes.

A refrigerated facility that holds perishable produce at low temperature and controlled humidity to slow ripening, respiration and decay. It extends shelf life but needs reliable power and correct pre-cooling for good results.

Information about prices, demand, supply, arrivals and buyer requirements in different markets, gathered before selling. It helps a farmer decide when, where and in what form to sell so as to get a better return.

A written plan of expected income and expenditure for a farm or enterprise over a season or year. It helps compare alternatives, estimate credit needs and monitor whether actual costs and returns match the plan.

The practices that prevent injury when operating tractors, implements and powered equipment, such as guarding moving parts, stopping the engine before clearing blockages, using the roll-over protective structure and keeping clothing clear of shafts.