Question

Paddy is a major cereal crop in our country.

(a) In which season is paddy cultivated?

(b) Discuss the method of sowing.

(c) What measures must be taken to prevent spoilage and insect attack of harvested grains?

Answer 1

Paddy:

1. Paddy, also known as rice is the major cereal crop in the country.
2. The cultivation of rice is different from the cultivation of other crops as they are partly flooded with water.

a)

1. The cultivation of paddy is done in the rainy season, as it is a Kharif crop.
2. The crops, which are sown at the onset of monsoon and harvested at the end of the monsoon, that is, in September and October are known as Kharif crops.
3. The cultivation of paddy takes place in excess of water so a good amount of rainfall is needed for its growth.

b)

1. For sowing paddy, the seeds are first grown in a nursery, and later the healthy seed plants are selected and transplanted in the field.
2. This permits one to select seedlings for cultivation that can thrive in harsh environmental conditions.

c)

The following are the measures taken to prevent damage or spoilage of harvested crops from insect attacks:

1. Drying them in sunlight as freshly harvested crops exhibit moisture.
2. The addition of dried neem leaves should be done to the stored grains, to prevent destruction from pests.
3. Fumigation of the storage region to eradicate the insects.
4. Specific chemical treatments are also available for inhibiting crops from pest infections.