UPMSP High School Agriculture key terms

The science and practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock for food, fibre, and income. In India it supports most of the rural population and is the backbone of the rural economy.

The number of crops raised on the same piece of land in one agricultural year, expressed as a percentage of net sown area. Higher intensity means more production from limited land.

The proportion of land under different crops at a given time in a region. It reflects soil, climate, irrigation, market demand, and the farmer's choices and resources.

A vertical section of soil from the surface down to the parent rock, showing distinct layers called horizons. Each horizon differs in colour, texture, and organic matter content.

A distinct layer within a soil profile, such as the topsoil A horizon, the subsoil B horizon, and the weathered C horizon. Horizons form through leaching, deposition, and decomposition over long periods.

The relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil. Texture governs water holding capacity, drainage, aeration, and how easily the soil can be worked.

A balanced soil containing moderate amounts of sand, silt, and clay. It holds moisture well, drains freely, and is generally considered the most suitable texture for most crops.

The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates or crumbs, giving the soil its tilth. Good structure improves aeration, root penetration, and resistance to erosion.

The detachment and removal of topsoil by wind or water. It reduces fertility and yields, and is controlled by contour bunding, terracing, cover crops, and vegetative barriers.

Practices that protect soil from erosion and degradation while maintaining its productivity. Examples include contour ploughing, terracing, check dams, green manuring, and crop residue mulching.

Constructing earthen bunds along contour lines on sloping land to slow runoff and trap soil. It is a common and low-cost measure for conserving moisture and soil in rainfed areas.

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

Growing two or more crops on the same field in one year, either in sequence or together. It raises total output per unit area and spreads the farmer's risk.

Growing two or more crops simultaneously in separate rows on the same field. It uses sunlight, water, and nutrients more efficiently and can reduce pest incidence.

The quantity of seed sown per unit area, usually expressed in kilograms per hectare. It depends on crop, variety, seed germination, and the sowing method used.

The process by which a viable seed absorbs water, resumes growth, and produces a seedling. It requires adequate moisture, suitable temperature, oxygen, and sometimes light.

Applying fungicides, insecticides, or bioagents to seed before sowing to control seed-borne and soil-borne problems and to improve establishment. It is cheap and reduces field spray needs.

The official process of verifying that seed meets prescribed standards of genetic purity, physical purity, germination, and health. Certified seed is tagged and carries a lot number.

A distinct, uniform, and stable group of plants within a crop species with particular traits such as yield, maturity, or disease resistance. Farmers choose varieties to suit local conditions.

Moving young seedlings from a nursery bed to the main field at a proper spacing and depth. It is widely used in paddy, vegetables, and tobacco to improve establishment and crop stand.

A managed area where young plants are raised under close care before being shifted to the field or sold. It allows better protection, uniform growth, and selection of healthy seedlings.

Judicious removal of plant parts such as branches, shoots, or roots to shape growth, improve light penetration, and increase fruit size and quality. Timing varies with species.

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

A combined strategy using resistant varieties, cultural practices, biological control, and need-based pesticides to keep pest populations below damaging levels. It reduces cost and chemical hazards.

The pest population density at which control measures should be applied to prevent the pest from reaching the economic injury level. It guides rational pesticide use.

A plant growing where it is not wanted, competing with the crop for water, nutrients, light, and space. Weeds also harbour pests and reduce produce quality and market value.

A chemical used to kill or suppress weeds. Selective herbicides control weeds in a crop without serious injury, while non-selective ones kill most vegetation.

The physical condition of soil in relation to its suitability for tillage and crop growth. A fine, mellow tilth favours seed placement, root growth, and seedling emergence.

A primary tillage implement used to cut, invert, and loosen soil before sowing. Mouldboard and disc ploughs are common; country ploughs are still used on small holdings.

A secondary tillage implement with discs or tines that breaks clods, levels the surface, and destroys small weeds after ploughing. It helps prepare a fine seedbed.

The proportion of water applied that is actually used beneficially by the crop. Losses occur through conveyance, deep percolation, runoff, and evaporation, and can be cut by better methods.

A method that delivers water drop by drop through emitters near the plant roots. It saves water, limits weed growth, and allows fertigation, but needs clean water and maintenance.

The growth stage at which water shortage causes the greatest yield loss, so irrigation must not be missed. It differs by crop, for example flowering and grain filling in cereals.

Well-rotted mixture of cattle dung, urine, litter, and feed waste used to supply organic matter and nutrients. It improves soil structure and water holding capacity but is low in nutrient concentration.

Growing a quick-growing legume or other plant and ploughing it into the soil while green. It adds organic matter and, in legumes, fixes atmospheric nitrogen for the next crop.

A material applied to soil or plants to supply essential nutrients in concentrated form. Straight fertilizers contain one nutrient; complex fertilizers contain two or more.

Applying soluble fertilizers through an irrigation system, usually drip, directly to the root zone. It improves nutrient use efficiency and allows small, frequent doses.

Introducing semen from a selected bull into the female reproductive tract by instrument, without natural mating. It spreads superior genetics, reduces disease risk, and cuts the need to keep bulls.

The duration of pregnancy from conception to birth, about 280 days in cattle and buffalo and about 150 days in goats. Knowing it helps plan feeding and calving care.

A cow, buffalo, or goat kept mainly for milk production rather than for draught work. Its value depends on lactation yield, fat content, and calving interval.

All activities involved in moving farm produce from the field to the consumer, including grading, storage, transport, and sale. Efficient marketing raises the farmer's share of the final price.

A price announced by the government for certain crops to protect farmers if market prices fall below it. It is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.

A regulated wholesale market where farmers bring produce for auction to traders and commission agents. Its rules on weighing, grading, and payment protect sellers.

The process of educating farmers through demonstrations, field days, and advisory visits so they adopt improved practices. It links research stations with villages and feeds problems back to scientists.

A district-level farm science centre that conducts on-farm trials, demonstrations, and training for farmers, rural youth, and extension workers. It is usually attached to an agricultural university or ICAR institute.

Maintaining systematic written accounts of farm inputs, operations, yields, and sales. Good records reveal profit and loss, support credit applications, and guide the next season's plan.