Punjab PSEB Senior Secondary NSQF Agriculture key terms

A prepared area of soil with fine, level tilth where seeds are sown to raise seedlings before transplanting. It needs adequate moisture, drainage and protection from pests and strong sun.

The physical condition of soil as it affects root growth and seed germination, judged by how easily it crumbles and holds moisture. Good tilth is loose, well-aerated and free of large clods.

The primary tillage operation that turns and loosens the topsoil to a depth of roughly 15 to 25 cm, burying weeds and crop residues. It is usually followed by harrowing to break clods.

A secondary tillage operation that breaks clods, levels the surface and removes small weeds after ploughing. It produces the fine, uniform seedbed needed for even sowing depth and good seed-soil contact.

The first, deeper soil-opening operation of a cropping season, such as ploughing or chiselling, which loosens compacted layers and incorporates residues. It is followed by secondary tillage to prepare the seedbed.

Any tillage system that leaves at least about 30 percent of the soil surface covered with crop residue after planting. It reduces erosion, conserves soil moisture and lowers fuel and labour costs.

Sowing a crop directly into undisturbed soil using a specially designed seed drill, without ploughing or harrowing. It saves fuel and time, conserves moisture and reduces soil erosion.

An implement that opens furrows, drops seed at a controlled rate and depth, and covers it in one pass. It places seed in rows at uniform spacing, giving better germination and easier inter-row cultivation.

Sowing seed in straight, evenly spaced rows at a fixed depth rather than broadcasting it. It allows uniform plant population, easier weeding and hoeing, and efficient use of fertiliser and irrigation water.

Scattering seed or fertiliser uniformly over the soil surface by hand or machine, without placing it in rows. It is quick but gives uneven depth and plant stand, so it suits close-growing crops.

The quantity of seed sown per unit area, usually expressed in kilograms per hectare. It depends on seed size, germination percentage, spacing and the target plant population.

The proportion of seeds in a sample that produce normal seedlings under standard test conditions, expressed as a percentage. It is used to adjust seed rate and to judge seed quality before sowing.

The ability of a seed to germinate and grow into a healthy seedling under favourable conditions. It is assessed by germination tests or tetrazolium staining and declines with poor storage.

Laboratory examination of a seed lot for purity, germination, moisture content and freedom from weed seeds or disease. Results guide seed rate, storage decisions and certification for sale.

Coating or dressing seed with fungicides, insecticides or bio-agents before sowing to control seed-borne and soil-borne pests and diseases. It improves establishment and is done at a recommended dose.

A quality-control process in which a recognised agency verifies that seed of a notified variety meets prescribed standards of genetic purity, physical purity and germination. Certified seed carries a tag with lot details.

Moving seedlings raised in a nursery to the main field at the correct age and spacing. It gives a head start over weeds, allows uniform stand and saves seed compared with direct sowing.

A managed area where seedlings of vegetables, paddy or fruit plants are raised under close care before being moved to the field or orchard. It allows protection, uniform watering and selection of healthy plants.

The number of plants of a crop present per unit area, usually per hectare or per square metre. It is fixed by seed rate and spacing and directly affects yield and crop competition.

The planned distance between plants within a row and between rows. Correct spacing gives each plant enough light, water and nutrients and allows air movement and inter-cultivation.

Operations carried out in a standing crop, such as hoeing, weeding and light soil loosening, to control weeds and improve aeration. It is done between rows without damaging the crop roots.

Loosening the soil surface and cutting weeds around crop plants with a hand hoe or mechanical cultivator. It aerates the soil, conserves moisture and reduces weed competition.

The practice of reducing weeds that compete with crops for water, nutrients, light and space. Methods include manual removal, mechanical cultivation, mulching and selective herbicides.

A chemical used to kill or suppress weeds. Selective herbicides act on particular weed groups without harming the crop, while non-selective ones kill all vegetation and need careful, directed use.

A combined approach to pest control that uses cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods, applying pesticides only when pest numbers cross an economic threshold. It reduces cost and resistance.

The pest population level at which the damage likely to be caused exceeds the cost of control measures. Spraying is justified only when pest numbers reach or cross this level.

All measures taken to prevent or reduce crop losses from insects, diseases, nematodes and weeds. It includes resistant varieties, cultural practices, biological agents and safe pesticide use.

Covering the soil surface around plants with straw, plastic film or crop residue. Mulch conserves moisture, moderates soil temperature, suppresses weeds and reduces erosion.

Supplying water to crops artificially when rainfall is insufficient or poorly distributed. The aim is to keep soil moisture within the range needed for healthy growth without waterlogging.

A method that delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone through emitters on tubes. It saves water, reduces weed growth and allows fertigation, but needs filtration and maintenance.

The growth stage at which a crop is most sensitive to water shortage and yield loss is greatest if irrigation is missed. Examples are crown root initiation in wheat and flowering in many crops.

Applying soluble fertiliser through an irrigation system, usually drip, so nutrients reach the root zone in small doses. It improves nutrient-use efficiency but requires clean water and correct dosing.

A nutrient required by plants in relatively large amounts, namely nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur. Deficiencies show as characteristic leaf and growth symptoms.

A nutrient needed by plants in very small amounts, such as zinc, iron, manganese, copper, boron and molybdenum. Shortage causes specific disorders like zinc-induced leaf chlorosis.

The quantity of a fertiliser applied per unit area or per plant, based on soil test values and crop requirement. Correct dose and timing prevent nutrient loss and avoid crop damage.

Laboratory analysis of a soil sample for pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and available nutrients. Results guide balanced fertiliser recommendations and identify salinity or alkalinity problems.

A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a scale from 0 to 14. It controls nutrient availability, so most crops grow best between about 6.0 and 7.5.

A small quantity of soil collected in a defined pattern from a field to represent the whole area for testing. Correct depth, mixing of cores and labelling ensure reliable fertiliser advice.

Calcium sulphate, used mainly to reclaim sodic soils by replacing sodium on soil particles with calcium. It improves soil structure, infiltration and aeration when applied at the recommended dose.

Material such as farmyard manure, compost or green manure added to soil to supply nutrients and improve organic matter. It improves water-holding capacity, structure and soil biological activity.

Decomposed organic waste, such as crop residue or kitchen waste, produced by microbial breakdown under controlled moisture and aeration. It is a cheap source of nutrients and organic matter.

A product containing living micro-organisms, such as Rhizobium or Azotobacter, that improve nutrient availability to plants when applied to seed or soil. It supplements, rather than replaces, chemical fertiliser.

Growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same field over successive seasons. It breaks pest and disease cycles, improves soil fertility and balances nutrient use.

Growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in a definite row pattern. It uses space, light and nutrients more efficiently and spreads the risk of crop failure.

The pattern of crops and their management on a farm over time, including rotation, intercropping and sequence. It is chosen to match soil, water, climate and market needs.

A crop grown specifically to be ploughed into the soil while still green to add organic matter and nitrogen. Legumes such as sunhemp and dhaincha are commonly used.

The recognised phases in a crop's life, such as germination, tillering or vegetative growth, flowering and maturity. Stage determines irrigation, fertiliser timing and harvest decisions.

Cutting or collecting the mature economic part of a crop from the field. Correct timing and method minimise grain or produce losses and maintain quality for storage and sale.

The stage at which a crop has completed growth and its harvested part has reached the desired size, colour, moisture or firmness. Harvesting at maturity gives best yield and quality.

Separating grain or seed from the harvested ears, pods or stalks by beating, trampling or machine. It should be done at suitable moisture to avoid grain breakage and losses.

Separating grain from chaff and lighter material by throwing it into the air or using a fan so wind carries away the lighter fraction. It cleans the produce before storage or sale.

The reduction in quantity or quality of produce between harvest and consumption or sale. Causes include spillage, poor threshing, insect damage, moisture and inadequate storage.

Keeping harvested produce in conditions that protect it from moisture, insects, rodents and mould until use or sale. Clean, dry, well-ventilated godowns and correct moisture content are essential.

Implements and machines such as tractors, seed drills, sprayers and threshers used to carry out farm operations efficiently. Proper selection, adjustment and maintenance reduce cost and drudgery.

Adjusting a sprayer's nozzle, pressure and speed so that it delivers the correct volume of spray liquid per unit area. Calibration prevents under-dosing and crop injury from over-dosing.

The lower, root-bearing part of a grafted plant onto which a scion is joined. It influences vigour, disease resistance and adaptation to soil conditions.

Joining a scion from one plant to the rootstock of another so that they grow as a single plant. It is used to propagate fruit trees and to combine desirable root and shoot characters.

Removing selected branches, shoots or roots from a plant to shape it, improve light penetration, remove diseased wood or regulate bearing. Correct cuts heal well and keep the plant productive.

A genetically distinct form of a crop species with particular characteristics such as yield, maturity duration, disease resistance or grain quality. It is released after testing for a defined area.