RSMSSB Agriculture Supervisor key terms

The number of crops raised on the same field in one agricultural year, expressed as a percentage of net sown area; multiple cropping raises this value above 100 percent.

The total physical area sown with crops at least once in a year, counted once regardless of how many crops are grown on it.

The sum of areas sown under all crops in a year, counting each plot once for every crop season it is used.

Growing two or more crops on the same piece of land in a single year, increasing total output per unit area.

Growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in distinct rows, so that the crops compete only partly with each other.

A planned sequence of different crops on the same field over successive seasons to maintain fertility and interrupt pest and disease cycles.

The total water used by a crop through transpiration and evaporation from the soil surface, also called evapotranspiration, measured in millimetres of depth.

The growth stage at which water shortage causes the largest yield loss, so irrigation at that stage gives the greatest return per unit of water.

Deciding when and how much water to apply to a crop, based on soil moisture status, crop stage and available water supply.

The moisture content remaining in soil after excess water has drained away by gravity, usually about two days after heavy wetting.

The soil moisture level below which plants can no longer extract water and remain permanently wilted even in a humid atmosphere.

The portion of soil moisture held between field capacity and permanent wilting point, which is the water actually usable by crop roots.

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil solution on a scale of 0 to 14, governing nutrient availability and choice of crops.

The total quantity of exchangeable positive ions a soil can hold on clay and humus surfaces, indicating its nutrient-holding ability.

The proportion of the cation exchange capacity occupied by basic cations such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, rather than hydrogen.

The quantity of gypsum needed to reclaim sodic soil by replacing exchangeable sodium with calcium, commonly estimated from soil sodium levels.

Ploughing in a growing leguminous crop such as sunhemp or dhaincha to add organic matter and nitrogen to the soil in situ.

The decomposed and undecomposed plant and animal residues in soil, improving structure, water retention and nutrient supply.

Nutrient-rich manure produced by earthworms feeding on organic wastes, used as an organic amendment and potting medium component.

Well-rotted mixture of cattle dung, urine, litter and feed residues used traditionally to supply organic matter and plant nutrients.

Combining chemical fertilizers with organic manures and biofertilizers to sustain crop yields while protecting soil health.

A preparation containing live microorganisms such as Rhizobium or Azotobacter that improves nutrient availability to crops when applied to seed or soil.

The pest population density at which control measures should be started to prevent the pest from reaching damaging numbers.

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

Suppression of pest populations by living natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids and pathogens, either conserved or released.

A device baited with a synthetic sex attractant to monitor or mass-trap insect pests, helping time control measures.

A fungal disease of wheat that partially blackens grains and gives them a fishy smell; it affects grain quality and is a quarantine concern.

A fungal disease of wheat producing yellow powdery stripes of spores on leaves, favoured by cool moist weather and capable of severe epidemics.

Applying fungicides, insecticides or bioagents to seeds before sowing to protect germinating seedlings from soil- and seed-borne problems.

Applying water slowly and directly to the root zone through emitters on pipes, saving water and reducing weed growth and foliar disease.

Distributing water like rainfall through nozzles under pressure, suited to light soils and close-growing crops on uneven land.

A central scheme giving eligible farmer families direct income support in fixed instalments credited to their bank accounts.

A crop insurance scheme covering yield losses from natural calamities, pests and disease, with low farmer premium shares.

A report issued under a national programme giving field-specific soil test values and crop-wise fertilizer recommendations to farmers.

A major canal system in western Rajasthan carrying water from the Harike barrage to irrigate arid districts such as Jaisalmer and Barmer.

Soil with a high proportion of exchangeable sodium, poor structure and low permeability, reclaimed by gypsum and drainage.

The largest chamber of the ruminant stomach, where microbes ferment fibrous feed and synthesize microbial protein and B vitamins.

Fibrous feed such as green fodder, hay or straw that is bulky and low in energy, essential for keeping the rumen functioning normally.

Feed low in fibre and high in energy or protein, such as oil cakes and grains, given to supplement roughage in livestock rations.

Inflammation of the udder usually caused by bacterial infection, reducing milk yield and quality; controlled by hygiene and dry-period care.

A highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals causing blisters on the mouth and feet, controlled mainly by vaccination.

Seed produced by crossing two genetically distinct parent lines, giving offspring with higher vigour and yield than either parent.

The degree to which seed of a variety is free from admixture with other varieties, determined by field inspection and grow-out tests.

The process by which green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to make carbohydrates, releasing oxygen as a by-product.

Loss of water vapour from plant leaves through stomata, driving water and nutrient movement from roots to shoots.

The green pigment in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis, giving healthy leaves their characteristic colour.

A sequence of organisms in which each feeds on the one before it, transferring energy from producers to consumers and decomposers.

The variety of living organisms at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, supporting ecosystem stability and natural pest control.

A fraction expressed out of one hundred, calculated by dividing a part by the whole and multiplying by 100.

The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values, used to represent a typical figure in a group.

A comparison of two quantities of the same kind, showing how many times one value contains or is contained in the other.