Punjab PSEB Matric NSQF Agriculture flashcards

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

Soil pH

A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a 0–14 scale. Most Punjab field crops grow best between pH 6.5 and 7.5; below 5.5 is strongly acid and above 7.3 is alkaline.

Essential macronutrients

Nutrients plants need in large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur. Punjab soils are most often short of nitrogen, then phosphorus, zinc and sulphur.

Urea fertiliser grade

Urea is a nitrogen fertiliser graded 46-0-0, meaning it contains 46 percent nitrogen. It is the most concentrated solid nitrogen source commonly used on Punjab field crops.

DAP fertiliser

Di-ammonium phosphate, graded 18-46-0, supplying 18 percent nitrogen and 46 percent phosphorus as P2O5. It is a common basal fertiliser at sowing for wheat and other cereals.

Critical irrigation stage

The growth stage when water shortage most reduces yield. For wheat the crown root initiation stage about 20–25 days after sowing is the most critical irrigation point.

Crop rotation

Growing different crops in sequence on the same field. A cereal–legume rotation restores soil nitrogen, interrupts pest and disease cycles and improves organic matter compared with continuous cereal cropping.

Economic threshold level

The pest population density at which control measures are justified to prevent damage exceeding the cost of treatment. It is the first decision point in integrated pest management.

Integrated pest management

A control strategy using monitoring, cultural, mechanical and biological methods first, with chemical pesticide applied only as a last resort at the correct dose and stage.

Safe grain storage moisture

Grain should be dried to roughly 12–14 percent moisture before storage. Higher moisture encourages moulds, insects and aflatoxin, especially in maize and groundnut.

Seed-cum-fertiliser drill

An implement that places seed and fertiliser together in rows at sowing. It saves a separate fertiliser application pass and places nutrients near the root zone.

Zero-till drill

A machine that sows seed directly into untilled soil and crop residue, commonly used to sow wheat into standing paddy stubble. It saves tillage time, fuel and moisture.

Sprayer calibration formula

Spray volume in litres per hectare equals nozzle output in litres per minute multiplied by 600, divided by speed in km/h times swath width in metres.

Pre-harvest interval

The minimum number of days between the last pesticide spray and harvesting the crop. It is printed on the label and must be observed to keep residues within safe limits.

Drip irrigation

A method delivering water slowly through emitters near the plant root zone. It typically saves 40–60 percent water compared with flood irrigation and suits horticultural crops.

Power take-off safety

The tractor PTO drives implements and must only be engaged at the recommended engine speed. Keep the shaft guard fitted and never clear a jam with the engine running.

Gross margin

Gross income from a crop minus its variable costs such as seed, fertiliser, labour and irrigation. It measures the short-term profitability of one enterprise before fixed costs.

Benefit–cost ratio

Gross income divided by total cost of production. A ratio above one means the enterprise earns more than it spends; it is used to compare crop enterprises.

Seed germination percentage

The proportion of seeds in a sample that produce normal seedlings under standard test conditions. It is a key seed quality parameter printed on the certification tag.

Disease triangle

A plant disease develops only when a susceptible host, a virulent pathogen and favourable environmental conditions occur together. Removing any one component prevents an epidemic.

Yellow rust of wheat

A fungal disease producing yellow powdery stripes on wheat leaves, favoured by cool moist weather. It spreads by wind and can cause severe yield loss if not controlled early.

Karnal bunt

A fungal disease of wheat that partly blackens the grain and gives it a fishy smell. It reduces grain quality and can restrict marketing, so certified clean seed is important.

Cotton leaf curl virus

A virus transmitted by whitefly that causes upward leaf curling and vein thickening in cotton. Managing whitefly and using tolerant varieties are the main control measures.

Sucking pests

Insects such as aphids, whitefly and jassid that pierce plant tissue and suck sap, causing curling, yellowing, stunting and honeydew deposits that invite sooty mould.

Critical weed-free period

The early crop growth window, roughly the first 30–45 days for most field crops, during which weeds must be controlled to prevent serious yield loss.

Herbicide resistance

The inherited ability of a weed population to survive a herbicide dose that once killed it. It is delayed by rotating modes of action and applying at the correct stage and dose.

Soil sampling depth

The standard sampling depth for field crops is 0–15 cm. Samples are taken in a zig-zag pattern from 10–15 spots, mixed, quartered to about 500 g and air-dried in shade.

Soil Health Card

A report giving low, medium or high status for soil nutrients and organic carbon, with recommended fertiliser doses. It guides site-specific fertiliser adjustment for the field.

Green manuring

Growing a legume such as dhaincha or sunhemp and ploughing it into the soil before flowering. It adds organic matter and nitrogen and improves soil structure.

Crop residue burning

Setting paddy stubble or other residue on fire after harvest. It destroys organic matter and nutrients, pollutes air and is legally restricted in Punjab; incorporation is preferred.

Minimum support price

A government-announced floor price for notified crops such as wheat and paddy. It protects farmers from sharp market falls and is quoted per quintal.

Balanced livestock ration

A feed mix supplying energy, protein, minerals and vitamins in correct proportion. A rough guide is 2.5–3 kg green fodder and 0.5–1 kg dry fodder per 100 kg body weight daily.

Break-even yield

Total fixed cost divided by the difference between output price and variable cost per unit. It is the minimum yield needed to cover all costs without loss.