Page 12 - Science Class 08
P. 12
CROP SEASONS CROP IMPROVEMENT
Crops are grown according to the seasons. We have studied about farming prac ces in
Some crops are grown in winter while some detail. But bear in mind that these prac ces
crops are grown in summer. A winter crop may keep being improved from me to me as per
not grow in a hot season. Similarly, a crop of demand, i.e., to increase the output of corn to
hot season may not grow in winter. meet the needs of the ever-increasing popul-
There are two chief crop seasons in our country: a on that have become well over 100 crore
now. The yield of food-stuffs has also grown
v Kharif : The crops which are grown during from 45 million tonnes in 1970 to over 200
the monsoon (rainy) season (June- million tonnes a year.
September) are called kharif crops.
It has happened because of the following
For example, maize, millet (bajra) and
factors:
co on crops. Seeds of these crops are
sown in the beginning of the monsoon v Claiming of waste lands
season. A er matura on, these crops are v Improved seeds v Scien fic methods
harvested at the end of the monsoon v Pest control v Soil improvement
season (October-November). v Be er storage v Mixed cropping
v Rabi : Crops which are grown during the v Crop rota on
winter season (October-March) are called A green revolu on was started in late 1960’s
rabi crops. and it yielded results during the 1970’s. First of
For example, wheat, gram and mustard. all, wastelands were claimed for raising food-
Seeds of these crops are sown in the crops. They amounted to about 15% of the
beginning of the winter season. A er total land. Next, high-yielding varie es of
matura on of crops, they are harvested at wheat and rice were introduced. A dwarf
the end of the winter season (April-May). variety of wheat was introduced from Mexico
as it is resistant to pests through it more
frequent irriga on. Its dura on of life-cycle is
also shorter by about one month. Plant
Harvest Fes vals breeding through cross breeding is also
prac sed to prevent self-fer lisa on.
A er three or four months of hard work
there comes the day of the harvest. The Preven ng Self-fer lisa on
sight of golden fields of standing crop, laden To achieve this preven on, anthers are removed
with grain, fills the hearts of farmers with from the flowers of a plant of one variety (Say A).
joy and a sense of well-being. The efforts of This ac vity is called emascula on.
the past season have borne fruit and it is
me to relax and enjoy a li le. The period of Removal of anthers
(Emascula on)
harvest is, thus, of great joy and happiness +
Parent Parent
in all parts of India. Men and women
celebrate it with great enthusiasm. Special
fes vals associated with the harvest season Transfer of pollen
(Pollina on)
are Pongal, Baisakhi, Holi, Diwali, Nabanya Dus ng
and Bihu.
Emascula on
12 Science-8
