CBSE Class 8 Science Crop Production and Management Worksheets

Crop production and management is a process that deals with the cultivation of crops. The main aim of this process is to produce food, fodder, fiber, and other agricultural products. Crop production and management also help in improving the soil quality and in controlling erosion. In addition, crop production and management play an important role in providing employment opportunities to the people. There are different methods of crop production and management. The most common methods are crop rotation, contour farming, terracing, and agroforestry. Let us learn more about these methods.

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a method of crop production and management in which a particular crop is grown in the same place only once every three years. It is one of the oldest methods used for crop production and management.

Why is Crop Rotation Beneficial?

Crop rotation helps in improving soil fertility, controlling weeds, protecting against plant diseases, and conserving water.

Soil Fertility

When the same crop is grown year after year, the nutrients in the soil become less and less. The soil ceases to contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (which are necessary for plant growth). Therefore, crop rotation helps in preventing this loss of fertility.

Plant Diseases

Crop rotation also helps in controlling plant diseases. For example:

Wheat is attacked by a type of disease known as leaf rust. If wheat is grown continuously in the same field, it becomes more and more attacked by pathogens. However, if wheat is grown after soybean in the same field, the pathogens fail to survive for long because of inadequate sunlight during winter.

Soil Erosion

Crop rotation also helps in preventing soil erosion. For example: When the same crop is grown year after year on a hill, the soil becomes loose and starts to erode. However, if different crops are grown in succession on the same hill, the soil becomes more stable, and erosion is prevented.

Contour Farming

Contour farming is a method of crop production and management that is carried out along the contour lines. This method controls soil erosion.

What is Contour Farming?

Contour farming refers to the cultivation of crops following the natural contours or slopes of a landform. It helps in preventing soil erosion by slowing down the flow of water, thus reducing its speed. The water collection at one point cuts the slopes and causes soil erosion. This loss of soil is called erosion.