Maharashtra SSC Agriculture Pre-Voc/NSQF flashcards

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

Kharif crop

A crop sown with the onset of the monsoon in June-July and harvested in autumn. Examples are rice, cotton, soybean and groundnut, which need warm, humid growing conditions.

Cropping intensity

The ratio of gross cropped area to net sown area, expressed as a percentage. It shows how many times the same land is cropped in a year.

Intercropping

Growing two or more crops simultaneously in definite row arrangements on the same field. It uses space and light better and reduces risk of total failure.

Soil texture

The relative proportion of sand, silt and clay particles in a soil. It determines workability, water holding and drainage, and the class is read from a textural triangle.

Bulk density

The oven-dry mass of soil divided by its total volume, given in g/cm3. High bulk density means compaction, low porosity and restricted root growth.

Cation exchange capacity

The ability of a soil to hold exchangeable cations such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, expressed in cmol(+)/kg. Clay and organic matter raise it.

Field capacity

The water content remaining in soil after excess water has drained away by gravity, usually one to three days after saturation. It is the upper limit of readily available water.

Law of the minimum

Liebig's principle that crop yield is limited by the essential nutrient in shortest supply relative to need, not by the total quantity of nutrients available.

Universal soil loss equation

A = R x K x LS x C x P, estimating long-term average annual soil loss from rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope, crop cover and conservation practice factors.

Contour bunding

Construction of earthen bunds along the contour of sloping land to slow runoff, increase infiltration and trap soil. It is a basic measure for medium-rainfall sloping fields.

Nitrogen deficiency symptom

General yellowing of older leaves first, with stunted growth and pale, thin stems. Nitrogen is mobile, so the plant moves it from old to young tissue.

Rhizobium

A symbiotic bacterium that infects legume roots, forms nodules and fixes atmospheric nitrogen for the plant. It is used as a seed inoculant in pulses and oilseed legumes.

Urea nutrient content

Urea contains 46 percent nitrogen, the highest among common solid nitrogen fertilisers. To supply 100 kg N, about 217 kg urea is required.

Integrated nutrient management

Combining organic manures, biofertilisers and mineral fertilisers in balanced amounts to sustain crop yield while maintaining soil fertility and reducing environmental harm.

Fertigation

Application of soluble fertilisers through a drip or sprinkler irrigation system directly to the root zone. It saves fertiliser, improves efficiency and allows split application.

Duty of water

The area of land irrigated per unit volume of water, commonly expressed as hectares per cubic metre per second of continuous flow. It measures irrigation efficiency.

Critical irrigation stage

The growth stage at which water stress causes the greatest yield loss, such as crown root initiation in wheat or panicle initiation in rice. Irrigation must not be missed then.

Watershed

The entire area of land draining to a common outlet or point. Watershed management plans soil and water conservation and land use within that boundary.

Percolation tank

A rainwater storage structure built across a stream or depression to impound runoff and allow it to seep into the ground, recharging groundwater and supporting protective irrigation.

Economic threshold level

The pest population density at which control measures must be applied to prevent it from reaching the economic injury level, where loss exceeds control cost.

Integrated pest management

A strategy combining cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods, with pesticides used only when pest populations cross the economic threshold level.

Herbicide selectivity

The ability of a herbicide to kill weeds without injuring the crop, achieved through dose, formulation, timing, crop stage and method of application.

Vegetative propagation

Raising new plants from vegetative parts such as cuttings, layers, suckers, grafts or buds. It preserves the exact characteristics of the parent variety.

Pruning

Deliberate removal of plant parts to control shape, improve light penetration and aeration, and balance vegetative growth with flowering and fruiting in orchards.

Balanced ration

A feed mixture supplying all nutrients in the proportion and quantity needed by an animal for maintenance and production over 24 hours.

Oestrus cycle

The reproductive cycle of female livestock, about 21 days in cattle, with a heat period of roughly 12 to 18 hours during which mating should occur.

Seed drill

An implement that places seeds in rows at a uniform depth and spacing and covers them with soil. A seed-cum-fertiliser drill places fertiliser simultaneously.

PTO shaft

The power take-off shaft of a tractor that transmits engine power to implements such as rotavators, threshers and sprayers. It must be guarded and disengaged before servicing.

Break-even point

The output level at which total revenue equals total cost, calculated as fixed cost divided by selling price per unit minus variable cost per unit.

Conservation agriculture

A farming approach based on minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover with residues or mulch, and crop diversification through rotation, which protects soil and saves water.

Vermicomposting

Conversion of organic waste into nutrient-rich castings by earthworms under shaded, moist conditions. The product improves soil structure and supplies plant nutrients.

Apiculture

Rearing honeybee colonies for honey, wax and pollination services. A colony has one queen, many sterile workers and seasonal drones.