Punjab PSEB Matric Agriculture key terms

The science and practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock for food, fibre, and income. In Punjab it is the main livelihood and the base of the state's economy.

A plant grown in a field on a large scale for a useful product such as grain, pulse, oil, vegetable, or fodder. Crops are grouped by season and by how they are sown.

A crop sown with the onset of the monsoon in June-July and harvested in autumn, for example paddy, maize, cotton, and moong. These crops need warm weather and plenty of rain or irrigation.

A crop sown in winter from October to December and harvested in spring, such as wheat, gram, mustard, and barley. These crops grow in cool weather and ripen in rising temperatures.

A short-duration crop grown between the rabi harvest and the kharif sowing, usually in summer on irrigated land. Examples are moong, melons, cucumber, and fodder maize.

The main rabi cereal of Punjab, sown from late October to November and harvested in April. It needs fine seedbed preparation, about five to six irrigations, and timely fertilizer for good yield.

Rice grown as a transplanted kharif crop in flooded or puddled fields. In Punjab it is raised mainly as nursery seedlings transplanted in June-July and harvested in autumn.

The quantity of seed sown per unit area, usually expressed in kilograms per hectare or per acre. It depends on crop, seed size, germination, and method of sowing.

The act of placing seed in the soil at the right depth, spacing, and time so that it can germinate and establish. Methods include broadcasting, drilling, dibbling, and transplanting.

Moving young seedlings from a nursery bed and planting them in the main field. It is common in paddy, vegetables, and some other crops to get uniform stands and better use of land.

A specially prepared, well-managed plot where seeds are raised into healthy seedlings before transplanting. Good nursery soil, leveling, and protection from pests give strong, uniform seedlings.

The process by which a seed absorbs water, resumes growth, and produces a radicle and shoot under suitable moisture, temperature, and air conditions. It is the first step in crop establishment.

Supplying water to crops artificially through canals, tubewells, sprinklers, or drip systems when rainfall is insufficient. Timing and quantity of irrigation strongly affect yield and water use.

A system in which water is carried from rivers or dams through a network of canals and distributaries to fields. It is a major source of irrigation in Punjab and is managed by government departments.

A deep well fitted with a pump that lifts groundwater for irrigation. Tubewells give farmers direct control over water supply but can lower the water table if overused.

A water-saving method in which water is delivered drop by drop near the plant roots through pipes and emitters. It reduces evaporation and weed growth and is used with vegetables and orchards.

A method of applying water like rain through nozzles fitted on pipes or sprinkler heads. It suits uneven land and closely sown crops and uses less water than flood irrigation.

Organic material such as farmyard manure, compost, or green manure added to soil to supply nutrients and improve its physical condition. It is bulky, slow-acting, and improves water-holding capacity.

A material, usually manufactured, that supplies essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in concentrated form. It must be applied in the right dose and at the right time.

A major plant nutrient that promotes leafy growth and gives crops their green colour. It is supplied mainly through urea and is easily lost by leaching and volatilization if misapplied.

The most widely used nitrogen fertilizer, containing about 46 per cent nitrogen. It is highly soluble and is applied in split doses to reduce losses and match crop demand.

Decomposed organic waste such as crop residues, animal dung, and kitchen waste, used as a soil conditioner and nutrient source. Proper turning and moisture speed up decomposition and improve quality.

Growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same field over successive seasons. It helps maintain soil fertility, breaks pest and disease cycles, and reduces weed pressure.

Growing two or more crops together in the same field at the same time without a fixed row arrangement. It spreads risk and uses land and labour more efficiently.

Growing two or more crops in the same field in definite rows, such as maize with moong. It gives extra income and better use of sunlight, water, and nutrients.

The capacity of soil to supply essential nutrients in available forms and in adequate amounts for healthy plant growth. It is maintained by organic matter, balanced fertilizer, and rotation.

The removal and loss of the fertile top layer of soil by wind or water. It reduces productivity and is checked by contour ploughing, bunding, and maintaining vegetation cover.

The plant material left in the field after harvest, such as straw, stubble, and stalks. It can be used as fodder, compost, or mulch, but burning it harms soil and air quality.

Covering the soil surface with material such as straw, plastic, or crop residue to reduce evaporation, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature. It helps conserve moisture in dry periods.

The primary tillage operation that breaks and loosens the soil, buries residues, and prepares it for sowing. Depth and timing depend on soil type and the crop to follow.

The prepared surface layer of soil in which seed is sown. A fine, level, moist, and weed-free seedbed gives good germination and uniform crop establishment.

An unwanted plant growing where it is not desired, competing with the crop for water, nutrients, light, and space. Weeds are controlled by hand weeding, mechanical tools, and herbicides.

The removal or suppression of weeds from a crop field to reduce competition and allow healthy crop growth. It may be done by hand, by hoe, by cultivator, or by chemical means.

A chemical used to kill or inhibit weeds in a crop field. Correct selection, dose, and timing are essential to avoid crop injury and to prevent weeds from developing resistance.

Any chemical used to control pests such as insects, diseases, weeds, or rodents. Safe handling, correct dose, and observance of the waiting period before harvest are essential.

A combined approach to pest control that uses cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods together, with pesticides as a last resort. It reduces cost, resistance, and harm to the environment.

The upper level of saturated groundwater in the soil or rock below the surface. Over-extraction by tubewells can lower it and lead to water scarcity and higher pumping costs.

The process of cutting, gathering, and collecting the mature crop from the field. Timely harvesting prevents losses from shattering, lodging, birds, and untimely rain.

Separating grain from the harvested ears and straw after cutting the crop. It is done mechanically by threshers or combine harvesters, or traditionally by bullock treading.

A machine that cuts the standing crop and separates the grain from straw in one operation. It saves time and labour but leaves residue that must be managed properly.

Keeping harvested produce in safe, dry, and pest-free conditions until sale or use. Proper moisture, ventilation, and hygiene prevent spoilage, insect damage, and loss of quality and value.

Treating seed with fungicides, insecticides, or bio-agents before sowing to protect against seed-borne and soil-borne problems. It improves germination and seedling health at low cost.

A crop such as dhaincha or sunhemp grown and then ploughed into the soil while still green. It adds organic matter and nitrogen and improves soil structure and fertility.

Implements and machines used on a farm, such as tractors, ploughs, seed drills, threshers, and sprayers. Proper selection, maintenance, and operation improve efficiency and reduce drudgery.

Domestic animals kept on a farm for milk, meat, wool, eggs, or draught power, such as cattle, buffaloes, goats, and poultry. Their care includes feeding, housing, and health management.

The rearing of domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys for eggs and meat. Success depends on good breeds, balanced feed, clean housing, and disease control.

Administering a vaccine to an animal or bird to build immunity against a specific disease. Timely vaccination of livestock and poultry prevents outbreaks and reduces economic loss.

The chain of activities that moves farm produce from the farmer to the consumer, including grading, transport, storage, and sale. It determines the farmer's final price and income.

A regulated market where farmers bring produce, especially grain, to be weighed, auctioned, and sold. Prices and rules there strongly influence the income farmers receive.