Crop Production and Management

Damaged seeds are hollow and lighter

Step 1: For a seed to float, it must be lighter than water. Step 2: Damaged or unhealthy seeds become hollow from the inside. Step 3: Because they are hollow, they weigh less (lighter) than healthy seeds and float on water. Step 4: Healthy seeds are full of food material inside, making them heavier, so they sink. Step 5: This is a simple and effective method farmers use to separate good seeds from damaged ones before sowing.

Sowing seeds uniformly at equal distance and depth

Step 1: In modern farming, sowing needs to be done efficiently and uniformly for a good yield. Step 2: A seed drill is a machine attached to a tractor that sows seeds. Step 3: It places seeds at equal distance and equal depth into the soil. Step 4: It also covers the seeds with soil after sowing, protecting them from birds. Step 5: This saves time and labour compared to traditional sowing methods. Watering is done by irrigation systems, weeds are removed by khurpi or weedicides, and cutting is done by a sickle or harvester.

Decomposition of plant and animal wastes

Step 1: Manure is a natural substance — it is not made in factories. Step 2: Farmers collect plant waste and animal dung in pits and allow them to decompose. Step 3: Microorganisms break down this waste over time to form organic manure. Step 4: This decomposed material is rich in nutrients and improves soil health. Step 5: Fertilisers like urea are made in factories from chemicals — this is the key difference between manure and fertilisers.

Urea

Step 1: Fertilisers are man-made chemicals that are rich in specific nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. Step 2: Urea is a chemical fertiliser that provides nitrogen to plants. Step 3: It is manufactured in factories, unlike manure which is made naturally. Step 4: Cow dung manure, compost, and vermicompost are all examples of organic manure — they are natural. Step 5: Other examples of fertilisers include ammonium sulphate, super phosphate, potash, and NPK.