Agronomy Module 4

Rice (Oryza sativa)

1. Rice is a short-day, C3 crop.
2. Boro rice is grown in winter under irrigated conditions.
3. Kharif rice is grown in rainy season (June–July).
4. Sali rice is grown in upland and lowland during monsoon.
5. Rice responds well to high nitrogen application.
6. Transplanting improves stand establishment and reduces weeds.
7. Direct seeding saves labour and water but may increase weed competition.
8. Golden rice is genetically modified to produce beta-carotene.
9. Rice-wheat rotation is common in Indo-Gangetic Plains.
10. Puddling reduces water percolation and weed growth.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

1. Wheat is a cool-season, long-day crop.
2. Best sown in November–December in northern India.
3. High nitrogen improves grain number and yield, but excess causes lodging.
4. Durum wheat is used for pasta and macaroni.
5. Wheat varieties include HD2967, PBW343, and Sonalika.
6. Vernalization promotes flowering in winter wheat.
7. Wheat-fallow rotation improves soil moisture conservation.
8. Rust-resistant varieties reduce yield loss due to Puccinia spp.
9. Zero-tillage wheat saves time and conserves soil moisture.
10. Harvest occurs at grain moisture 14–16%.

Maize (Zea mays)

1. Maize is a C4, long-day crop.
2. Best sown in March–April for Kharif and October–November for Rabi.
3. High plant density increases grain yield up to optimum level.
4. Yellow maize is used for human food and livestock feed.
5. Sweet corn is harvested at milk stage for consumption.
6. Maize-legume intercropping improves nitrogen and productivity.
7. Drought during tasseling reduces grain set.
8. Hybrid maize gives 20–25% higher yield than open-pollinated varieties.
9. Crop residues are used for fodder and mulching.
10. Storage of maize grains requires low moisture and insect control.

Pulses

1. Pigeon pea is a short-day legume suitable for rainfed areas.
2. Chickpea is a cool-season, rainfed legume.
3. Lentil is rich in protein and fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
4. Soybean is an oilseed legume grown in Kharif and Rabi.
5. Green gram and black gram are short-duration pulses suitable for intercropping.
6. Pulses improve soil fertility through Rhizobium symbiosis.
7. Seed treatment reduces seed-borne diseases.
8. Proper spacing reduces competition and improves yield.
9. Pulses are sensitive to waterlogging during flowering.
10. Harvesting at physiological maturity ensures good seed quality.

Oilseeds

1. Mustard is a long-day, cool-season crop.
2. Sunflower tolerates moderate drought and high temperatures.
3. Groundnut is a short-day oilseed with pegging pods.
4. Soybean is a rainfed legume-oilseed crop.
5. Sesame is drought-tolerant and grown in light soils.
6. Oilseed crops require phosphorus for early growth.
7. Nitrogen promotes vegetative growth in oilseeds.
8. Proper plant population improves pod set and seed yield.
9. Intercropping with cereals reduces weed competition in oilseeds.
10. Oil extraction efficiency depends on seed moisture and oil content.

Sugarcane & Cotton

1. Sugarcane is a C4, long-duration crop requiring high water.
2. Ratooning saves cost and time of cultivation in sugarcane.
3. High nitrogen increases cane length but reduces sugar content.
4. Cotton is a long-day crop requiring 150–200 frost-free days.
5. Bt cotton is resistant to bollworm infestation.
6. Adequate spacing reduces pest incidence in cotton.
7. Irrigation during flowering and boll formation improves yield.
8. Cotton requires well-drained loamy soil.
9. Harvested cotton is separated by ginning to remove seeds.
10. Cottonseed is used for oil extraction and livestock feed.

Miscellaneous & Important Concepts

1. Crop residue management improves soil organic carbon.
2. Harvest index = Economic yield ÷ Biological yield.
3. Horticultural crops include fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, and plantation crops.
4. Integrated nutrient management combines organic and inorganic fertilizers.
5. Conservation agriculture reduces soil erosion and improves water use efficiency.
6. Integrated pest management reduces pesticide use and environmental hazards.
7. Green manuring crops include Sesbania, Sunhemp, and Dhaincha.
8. Seed rate and spacing affect crop stand and yield.
9. Mulching reduces soil evaporation, weed growth, and temperature fluctuations.
10. Crop rotation breaks the life cycle of pests and diseases.