PRIME ACADEMY (ICSE)

GRADE 10 - EVS NOTES

CHAPTER - FOOD

Short Answer Questions

1. What do you understand by sustainable agriculture?
Ans: Sustainable Agriculture: Successful management of resources for agriculture to satisfy the
changing human needs while maintaining or enhancing the quality of environment and
conserving natural resources.
* It involves techniques like mixed cropping, integrated pest management (IPM), crop selection
etc.

2. What is the need for sustainable agriculture?

Ans: Need for sustainable agriculture:
a) Conserving the environment and preventing pollution: By adopting sustainable
practices farmers can keep the land healthy and replenished which is important
when considering the rising population and demand for food.
b) Reducing costs and focus on profits: Farming smarter and moving food in a more
efficient manner will benefit everyone involved with the agriculture industry.

3. What is integrated pest management?

Ans: Integrated pest management (IPM), also known as integrated pest control
(IPC) is a broad-based approach that integrates both chemical and non-chemical
practices for economic control of pests.
Integrated - means a focus on the interaction of pests, crops, the environment and
various control methods.
Pest - means an organism that conflicts with our profit, health or convenience.
Management - means a way to keep pests below the levels where they can not cause
economic damage. does not mean eradication of pests but means finding tactics that
are effective and economical and that keep the environmental damage to a minimum.

4. What does the term 'genetically modified organisms' mean?

Ans: Genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal or microbe in which one or more
changes have been made to the genome, typically using high-tech genetic engineering, in an
attempt to alter the characteristics of an organism.
* Genes can be introduced, enhanced or deleted within a species and across species.

5. Name any two techniques by which new crop strains are produced. (2010)
Ans: New crop strains are produced by following techniques:
a) High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) : These are produced by manipulating the gene of Crop
plants in order to give desired characteristics such as high yield pest resistance etc.
b) Hybrid Varieties: these are produced by cross pollinating to different but relative plans
over 6 to 10 plant generation eventually creating a new plant variety which are healthier
 and resistant to various weather patterns predatory insects and have desired colour and
flavour.

6. Expand the following i. HYV II. GMO (2010)

Ans: HYV - High Yielding Varieties. Refer to Q5 a.
GMO - Genetically Modified Organisms. Refer to Q4.

7. List two environmental risks of using High Yielding Varieties (HYV) of seeds in
agriculture. (2011)
Ans:The disadvantages High Yielding Variety seeds are as follows:
(i) High Yielding Variety crops demand controlled irrigation. The crop should irrigated at right
time as per the schedule and in right quantity. be
(ii) High Yielding Variety crops need higher doses of fertilizers.
(iii) Some High Yielding Variety crops are highly susceptible to pests. Right quantity of
pesticides is required to overcome this problem.

8. State any two advantages of agroforestry. (2010)

Ans: Agroforestry: Agro forestry is a system of land use that combines growing and raising of
crops and or life stock along with plants that belong to the forest.
Advantages:
● Reduces pressure on the forest for obtaining timber and non timber forest products.
● Proper utilization of farm resources at a place like land, manpower, livestock, ecological
factors etc.
● The trees help in checking soil erosion by wind.
● It is a self-sustaining system where agricultural wastes and trees provide fodder to
livestock and they in turn provide manure.

9. What is Baranaja farming? (2012)

Ans: 'Baranaja' (meaning twelve grains) is a traditional system of mixed farming, intercropping of
twelve species. Under Baranaja a combination of cereals, lentils, vegetables, creepers, and root
vegetables is grown. The selected twelve crops are such that they can grow in harmony with
each other.

10. What are biofertilizers? Give any one example. (2011)

Ans: Bio fertilizers are the living microorganisms that are used to enhance nutrient availability to
the plants. When applied to the seed, the plant surface or soil it promotes the growth of plants
by increasing the supply or availability of nutrients to the host plant. They help plant by nitrogen
fixing, solubilizing phosphorous and by synthesizing growth promoting hormones.
* Some examples of bio fertilizers are Rhizobium, Azobacter, Azospirillum and blue green
algae.
11. What is sewage sludge?
Ans: Sewage Sludge: Sewage sludge refers to the residual, semi-solid material that is produced
as a by-product during sewage treatment of industrial or municipal wastewater.
* Domestic sludge adds useful concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus on organic matter while
industrial sludge is often used as a source of micronutrients like zinc and molybdenum.
12. State any two advantages of conservation tillage. (2011)
Ans: Conservation Tillage can be defined as any tillage and planting system that leaves at least
30%of the soul surface covered by residue after planting.
Advantages of conservation tillage:
● Reduces soil erosion upto 60 to 90% and is suitable for erosion prone areas.
● Reduces the need for fertilizers as plant residue decompose and add nutrients to the soil
● Crop residue reduces evaporation loss from the soil, facilitates infiltration, improves
water retention capacity and reduces runoff.
● Maintains favourable soil temperature.
● Allows for seeded preparation and provides weed control.

13. What do you understand by mixed cropping?

Ans: Mixed cropping:
Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field is known as mixed cropping. It is
also known as multiple cropping.
* Generally one line of the main crop is alternated by a leguminous crop which balances the
nitrogen content of soil.
* Example wheat and chickpea works well. The classic example of mixed cropping is that of the
American "three sisters", maize, beans, and cucurbits (squash and pumpkins).

14. Define monoculture.

Ans: The cultivation or growth of a single crop or organism especially on agricultural or forest
land. Monoculture is widely used in industrial farming systems, including conventional and
organic farming, and has allowed increased efficiency in planting and harvest.

15. What are the benefits of organic manure?

Ans: Benefits of organic manures :
(i) They provide organic matter to the soil and thus improves the physical and chemical
conditions of the soil.
(ii) Organic manures do not create soil pollution.
(iii) Organic manures help in maintaining soil texture, improve aeration and retention of water.

16. What are gene banks?

Ans: Gene bank:
Gene banks are a type of bio repository which preserve genetic material. It is a place where
scientists store DNA information from plants and animals so that they can use it to reintroduce
desired genes back into a gene pool when required.
* It is a type of ex situ conservation of organisms seeds, tissues or reproductive cells. Plant
genetic material in a gene bank is preserved at 196 degree Celsius in liquid
17. What is food aid? (2011)
Ans: Food aid in general is about providing food and related assistance to tackle hunger, either
in emergency situations, or help with long term hunger alleviation and achieve food security,
where people do not have to live in hunger or fear of starvation.
Long Answer Questions

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of integrated pest management?

Ans: Advantages of Integrated pest management.
● It manages pest damage by the most economical means
● Least possible hazard to people and property Least possible damage to environment the
application of pesticides.
● Can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, such as the home,
garden, and workplace. Monitoring and identification removes the possibility that
pesticides will be used when they are not really needed or that the wrong kind of
pesticide will be used.
● Control methods can be very effective and cost-efficient
● Does not kill non target organisms
● Reduces health problems of the workers

Disadvantages:
● Integrated pest management systems are extremely complex and require a higher level
of understanding to utilize.
● An IPM system of pest control involves a lot more time and is sometimes more costly
than the traditional method of spraying pesticides to eliminate pests.
● Needs constant monitoring by a trained person.

2. What are genetically modified crops? Discuss the various environmental risks
associated with them. (2012)
Ans: GMO - Refer to Short questions Q4.
Environmental Risks of Genetically modified crops
In a study in the early 1990's rats were fed genetically modified (GM) tomatoes. The rats
refused to eat them. When force-fed several of the rats developed stomach lesions and seven
out of forty died within two weeks.
* Agency scientists warned that GM foods in general might create unpredicted allergies, toxins,
antibiotic resistant diseases, and nutritional problems.

3. What is trickle drip irrigation? State any two advantages of such an irrigation system.
(2010)
Ans: This method of irrigation has been developed to conserve water. Water is supplied to the
plants without any wastage. It is also often referred to as 'Micro-Irrigation. Trickle drip irrigation
is a controlled method of irrigation where water is provided to a very specific area, close to the
roots of the plant, by a network of drip emitters. Tiny nozzles - about the size of a quarter - are
laid along the ground. Linked to a feeder hose, they provide a slow and steady flow of water. A
control box regulates the water pressure.
Advantages:

● Its a controlled method of irrigation that saves large amounts of water.

● Flow of water is so slow that it is easily absorbed into the ground.
● Reduces wastage of water through runoff as in case of normal irrigation.
● No chance of water logging
● Weeds cannot absorb water hence no weed growth
● Operational cost and energy cost is less
● Fertilizers can be used with maximum efficiency

4. Describe any five strategies that make agriculture sustainable. (2011)

Ans: Strategies of Agricultural sustainability:
Set Action Thresholds: Before taking any pest control action first sets an action threshold, a
point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action
emust be taken.
Monitor and Identify Pests-Not all insects, weeds, and other living organisms require control.
Many organisms are not harmful and some are even beneficial.
Prevention: Prevention is better than control, hence IPM aims at prevention of pests as a first
line of pest control, IPM programs work to manage the crop, lawn or indoor space to prevent
pests from becoming a threat.
Control: Once monitoring and identification is done and it is confirmed that pest control is
required and preventive methods are no longer effective or available, IPM programs then
evaluate the proper control method in terms of effectiveness and risk.
Biological control: It uses biological control in form of microorganisms and predator insects or
pheromones.

5. State the importance of soil conservation. Mention some of the traditional soil
conservation measures still practised by farmers in different parts of the world.
Ans: Soil conservation is key to environmental sustainability:
Importance: It helps protect natural resources and watersheds, restores habitats for plants and
wildlife, improves water quality, and makes soil healthier.
Traditional soil conservation measures:
Terrace farming
Terrace farming is an agricultural practice that uses terraces, or steps, built into the slopes of
hilly or mountainous areas to create a water catchment system for crops and is commonly used
in growing rice. Rainwater carries nutrients and vegetation from one terrace to the next, so the
soil remains healthy. Terrace farming also reduces soil erosion and improves soil productivity in
otherwise idle plots of land.
Contour farming
In contour farming, a farmer plows the soil parallel to the hill’s contours, creating rows of small
dams that minimize runoff of essential nutrients, organisms, and plants, while increasing water
infiltration in the soil. Contour farming can reduce soil erosion by as much as 50%.
Crop rotation
Instead of planting the same crop year after year on the same plot of land, crop rotation involves
planning out growing seasons for different crops. In addition to improving soil health and organic
matter, crop rotation reduces the need for fertilizer and pesticides, lowering costs. It also helps
prevent excess chemicals from entering water supplies, improving water quality.
Windbreaks
Windbreaks are rows of trees and bushes planted between fields of crops, reducing the erosive
power of the wind on the soil. Windbreaks also provide homes for living things. Using trees that
produce fruits and nuts in windbreaks help diversify farm income.

6. Some countries have excess food while some face a scarcity. Explain any two causes
of such food imbalance. Discuss any three measures that can be taken to remove such
imbalance. (2011)
Ans: Causes of Food imbalance:
loss in the production of the crops, overpopulation, climatic calamities, or other social factors.
Overpopulation leads to more demand for food, as the demand increases the chances of the
scarcity of the food increases. This also depends on the availability of land, accessible water,
and the pressure of the population. The crop failure can be due to many possible reasons such
as climate change, or natural calamities which can have severe effects on the farmers, economy
and can also lead to scarcity of food. The climatic and weather conditions play an important role
in the production of the crop, but the unpredictable conditions of these can lead to crop failure.

7. State its importance in agricultural activities. (2012)

Ans: Importance of Integrated pest management.
● It manages pest damage by the most economical means
● Least possible hazard to people and property Least possible damage to environment
● Reduces the application of pesticides.
● Can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, such as the home,
garden, and workplace.
● Monitoring and identification removes the possibility that pesticides will be used when
they are not really needed or that the wrong kind of pesticide will be used.
● Control methods can be very effective and cost-efficient
● Does not kill non target organisms
● Reduces health problems of the workers