Page 1 - 3-Crop production and management-Sowing, Adding manure and fertilisers
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SAI International School

                                               Subject- Biology, Class-VIII
                                      Topic- Crop Production and Management
                                  Subtopic- Sowing, Adding Manure and Fertilisers
                                                       Lesson Notes
               Sowing


                   •  Second step in crop production.
                   •  Involves planting seeds in prepared soil.
                   •  Healthy, clean, and high-quality seeds are selected.
                   •  Seeds can be sown by:
                          ❖  Traditional tools (like funnel + plough)
                          ❖  Seed drills (modern method for even spacing and depth)
                   •  Proper sowing ensures:
                          ❖  Right spacing
                          ❖  Adequate light and air
                          ❖  Healthy crop growth


               Adding Manure and Fertilisers
                   •  Crops absorb nutrients from the soil.
                   •  Soil loses nutrients after repeated use → needs to be replenished.
               Manure
                   •  Organic and natural
                   •  Made from decomposed plant & animal waste
                   •  Improves soil fertility and texture as well as water holding capacity of the soil
                   •  Increases the number of friendly microbes in the soil
                   •  Environment-friendly but less nutrient-rich


               Fertilisers


                   •  Chemical substances rich in nutrients (e.g., urea, NPK)
                   •  Provide specific nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
                   •  Boosts crop yield but can pollute soil and water if overused


               Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops in the same field in a planned
               sequence or cycle.


               Why is Crop Rotation Important?


                    •  Prevents depletion of soil nutrients.
                        (e.g., leguminous crops fix nitrogen and enrich the soil)
                    •  Improves soil fertility and structure naturally.
                    •  Reduces the need for chemical fertilisers.
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