NCERT Exemplar Solutions Class 9 Science Improvement in Food Resources

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)......................

Question 1: Which one is an oil yielding plant among the following?

(a) Lentil

(b) Sunflower

(c) Cauliflower

(d) Hibiscus 

Solution 1:  (b) Sunflower 

Plants that produce lentils are known for their ability to produce pulses. Sunflower is used to make oil, while cauliflower is a vegetable and Hibiscus is a flower.

Question 2: Which one is not a source of carbohydrate?

(a) Rice

(b) Millets

(c) Sorghum

(d) Gram 

Solution 2:  (d) Gram

Carbohydrates are a significant source of nutrition in rice, millets, and sorghum. Gram, on the other hand, is a dicotyledon that is high in proteins, so gramme is the correct response.

Question 3: Find out the wrong statement from the following

(a) White revolution is meant for increase in milk production

(b) Blue revolution is meant for increase in fish production

(c) Increasing food production without compromising with environmental quality is called as sustainable agriculture

(d) None of the above 

Solution 3:   (d) None of the above

Since the statements in options a), b), and c) are right, the correct answer is d) none of the above.

Question 4: To solve the food problem of the country, which among the following is necessary?

(a) Increased production and storage of food grains

(b) Easy access of people to the food grain

(c) People should have money to purchase the grains

(d) All of the above 

Solution 4:  (d) All of the above

Question 5: Find out the correct sentence

1. Hybridisation means crossing between genetically dissimilar plants
2. Cross between two varieties is called as inter specific hybridisation
3. Introducing genes of desired character into a plant gives genetically modified crop
4. Cross between plants of two species is called as inter varietal hybridisation

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (ii) and (iv)

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (iii) and (iv) 

Solution 5:   (a) (i) and (iii)

Question 6: Weeds affect the crop plants by

(a) killing of plants in field before they grow

(b) dominating the plants to grow 

c) competing for various resources of crops (plants) causing low availability of nutrients

(d) all of the above 

Solution 6:  (c) competing for various resources of crops (plants) causing low availability of nutrients. 

While a few weeds are poisonous, they have little effect on the crop plant. Weeds compete with each other for nutrients and water in the soil. This deprives the crop plant of more nutrients than it needs, resulting in a lower crop yield.

Question 7: Which one of the following species of honey bee is an Italian species?

(a) Apis dorsata

(b) Apis florae

(c) Apis cerana indica

(d) Apis mellifera 

Solution 7:   (d) Apis mellifera

Question 8: Find out the correct sentence about manure

(i) Manure contains large quantities of organic matter and small quantities of nutrients.

(ii) It increases the water holding capacity of sandy soil.

(iii) It helps in draining out of excess of water from clayey soil.

(iv) Its excessive use pollutes environment because it is made of animal excretory waste.

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (i) and (ii)

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (iii) and (iv) 

Solution 8:  (a) (i) and (iii)

Since manure increases water holding capacity, it cannot be held accountable for excess water drainage. Pollution is not caused by the use of manure. Using manure as a fertiliser is an environmentally friendly choice.

Question 9: Cattle husbandry is done for the following purposes

(i) Milk Production

(ii) Agricultural work

(iii) Meat production

(iv) Egg production

(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)

(b) (ii), (iii) and (iv)

(c) (iii) and (iv)

(d) (i) and (iv) 

Solution 9:  (a) (i), (ii) and (iii)

Cattle husbandry is carried out for the production of milk, agricultural work, and meat. Poultry farming, on the other hand, is performed for the processing of eggs.

Question 10: Which of the following are Indian cattle?

(i) Bos indicus

(ii) Bos domestica

(iii) Bos bubalis

(iv) Bos vulgaris

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (i) and (ii)

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (iii) and (iv) 

Solution 10:   (a) (i) and (iii)

Bos domestica is native to Africa, while Bos Vulgaris is not a member of the Bos tribe.

Question 11:  Which of the following are exotic breeds?

(i) Brawn

(ii) Jersey

(iii) Brown Swiss

(iv) Jersey Swiss

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (ii) and (iii)

(c) (i) and (iv)

(d) (ii) and (iv) 

Solution 11:   (b) (ii) and (iii)

Question 12: Poultry farming is undertaken to raise following

(i) Egg production

(ii) Feather production

(iii) Chicken meat

(iv) Milk production

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (i) and (ii)

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (iii) and (iv) 

Solution 12:   (a) (i) and (iii)

Option ii) and iv) are incorrect claims because hens do not produce milk and are not raised for the purpose of producing feathers.

Question 13:  Poultry fowl are susceptible to the following pathogens

(a) Viruses

(b) Bacteria

(c) Fungi

(d) All of the above 

Solution 13:  (d) All of the above

Diseases in poultry are caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Question 14: Which one of the following fishes is a surface feeder?

(a) Rohus

(b) Mrigals

(c) Common carps

(d) Catlas 

Solution 14:  (d) Catlas

Question 15: Animal husbandry is the scientific management of

(i) animal breeding

(ii) culture of animals

(iii) animal livestock

(iv) rearing of animals

(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)

(b) (ii), (iii) and (iv)

(c) (i), (ii) and (iv)

(d) (i), (iii) and (iv) 

Solution 15:   (d) (i), (iii) and (iv)

Question 16: Which one of the following nutrients is not available in fertilizers?

(a) Nitrogen

(b) Phosphorus

(c) Iron

(d) Potassium 

Solution 16:  (c) Iron

Plants get their iron from soil nutrients. There is no fertilizer that can give the plants iron.

Question 17: Preventive and control measures adopted for the storage of grains include

(a) strict cleaning

(b) proper disjoining

(c) fumigation

(d) all of the above 

Solution 17:   (d) all of the above

Short Answer Questions.......................................

Question 19:  Fill in the blanks 

(a) Pigeon pea is a good source of _________. 

(b) Berseem is an important_________crop. 

(c) The crops which are grown in rainy season are called_________crops. 

(d) _________are rich in vitamins. 

(e) _________ crop grows in winter season.  

Solution 19:  

(a) Pigeon pea is a good source of Protein. 

(b) Berseem is an important fodder crop. 

(c) The crops which are grown in rainy season are called Kharif crops. 

(d) Vegetables are rich in vitamins. 

(e) Rabi crop grows in winter season. 

Question 20:  What is a GM crop? Name any one such crop which is grown in India. 

Solution 20:  A GM crop is one that has been generated by inserting a desired gene from another source into the target crop. To achieve the desired character, crops are genetically engineered. In India, for example, BT cotton with an insect-resistant gene from bacteria is produced.

Question 21: List out some useful traits in improved crop?  

Solution 21:  The useful traits in the improved crop are listed below.

 • Increased crop yield

 • Better crop quality

 • Pest and weed tolerance

 • Greater adaptability

 • Expression of desired agronomic characteristics

Question 22: Why is organic matter important for crop production?

Solution 22:  Because of the following factors, organic matter is critical for crop development.

 • Organic matter gives crops the nutrients they need.

 • Organic matter loosens the soil structure, allowing the roots to breathe.

 • Organic matter increases the soil's ability to retain water.

 • In clayey soil, organic matter aids drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Question 23:  Why is excess use of fertilizers detrimental for the environment?

Solution 23:  Excess fertilizer use is bad for the environment because fertilizer residue creates contamination in the air, water, and soil, which is expensive.

Question 24: Give one word for the following

 (a) Farming without the use of chemicals as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides is known as______.

 (b) Growing of wheat and groundnut on the same field is called as ______.

 (c) Planting soyabean and maize in alternate rows in the same field is called as ______.

 (d) Growing different crops on a piece of land in pre-planned succession is known as______.

 (e) Xanthium and Parthenium are commonly known as______.

 (f) Causal organism of any disease is called as ______.

 Solution 24: 

(a) Farming without the use of chemicals as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides is known as organic farming. 

(b) Growing of wheat and groundnut on the same field is called as mixed cropping. 

(c) Planting soybean and maize in alternate rows in the same field is called intercropping. 

(d) Growing different crops on a piece of land in pre-planned succession is known as crop rotation. 

(e) Xanthium and Parthenium are commonly known as weeds. 

(f) The causal organism of any disease is called pathogen.

Question 26:  If there is low rainfall in a village throughout the year, what measures will you suggest to the farmers for better cropping? 

Solution 26:   Drought-resistant, early-maturing crops are recommended for farmers. Farmers are often encouraged to use manure in their fields because it increases the soil's water-holding ability. 

Question 27:  Group the following and tabulate them as energy-yielding, protein yielding, oil yielding and fodder crop. Wheat, rice, berseem, maize, gram, oat, pigeon gram, sudangrass, lentil, soybean, groundnut, castor and mustard. 

Solution 27:   Energy Yielding crop- Wheat rice Maize 

Protein Yielding crop- gram, pigeon gram, lentil, soybean 

Oil yielding crop- groundnut, castor, mustard, soybean 

Fodder crop- berseem, oat, sudangrass 

Question 28:  Define the term hybridization and photoperiod. 

Solution 28:   Hybridization is the process of crossing genetically different species to create offspring with desired characteristics. 

Photoperiod refers to the length of time that a plant receives sunlight. The plant's growth is regulated by the photoperiod. 

Question 29:  Fill in the blanks 

(a) Photoperiod affect the ________. 

(b) Kharif crops are cultivated from ________ to ________. 

(c) Rabi crops are cultivated from ________ to ________. 

(d) Paddy, maize, green gram and black gram are ________ crops. 

(e) Wheat, gram, pea, mustard are ________ crops. 

Solution 29:  

(a) Photoperiod affects the Flowering process. 

(b) Kharif crops are cultivated from June to October. 

(c) Rabi crops are cultivated from November to April. 

(d) Paddy, maize, green gram and black gram are Kharif crops. 

(e) Wheat, gram, pea, mustard are Rabi crops. 

Question 30:  Cultivation practices and crop yield are related to environmental condition. Explain. 

Solution 30:   Temperature, photoperiod, and water are all factors that affect the growth of different crops. Some crops grow in the rainy season, known as Kharif, and others grow in the winter, known as Rabi crops. 

Question 31:  Fill in the blanks 

(a) A total of________nutrients are essential to plants. 

(b) ________and________are supplied by air to plants. 

(c) ________is supplied by water to plants. 

(d) Soil supply________nutrients to plants. 

(e) ________nutrients are required in large quantity and called________. 

(f) ________ nutrients are needed in small quantity for plants and are called ________. 

Solution 31:  

(a) A total of 16 nutrients are essential to plants. 

(b) Carbon dioxide and oxygen are supplied by air to plants. 

(c) Hydrogen is supplied by water to plants. 

(d) Soil supply 13 nutrients to plants. 

(e) 6 nutrients are required in large quantity and called macronutrients. 

(f) 7 nutrients are needed in small quantity for plants and are called micronutrients. 

Question 32:  Differentiate between compost and vermicompost? 

Solution 32:   Compost is made from agricultural waste such as livestock excrement, food waste, domestic waste, compost, and weeds that have been discarded. Both of these items decompose and are used as field manure. 

Vermicompost is compost that has been made from organic matter. Earthworms are used to compost in this place. 

Question 33:  Arrange these statements in correct sequence of preparation of green manure. 

(a) Green plants are decomposed in soil. 

(b) Green plants are cultivated for preparing manure or crop plant parts are used. 

(c) Plants are ploughed and mixed into the soil. 

(d) After decomposition it becomes green manure. 

Solution 33:  

(b) Green plants are cultivated for preparing manure or crop plant parts are used. 

(c) Plants are ploughed and mixed into the soil. 

(a) Green plants are decomposed in soil. 

(d) After decomposition, it becomes green manure. 

Question 34:  An Italian bee variety A. mellifera has been introduced in India for honey production. Write about its merits over other varieties. 

Solution 34:   The following are some of the advantages of the Italian bee variety A. mellifera over other bee varieties: 

• They sting less and have the highest honey collection potential. 

• It can remain in a single beehive for a long time and has a high breeding potential. 

Question 35:  In agricultural practices, higher input gives higher yield. Discuss how? 

Solution 35:   Higher inputs yield higher yield relates to a farmer's resources and financial situation. Farmers may use innovative methodologies and innovations to increase yields thanks to their strong financial position. Crop methods and agricultural practices are determined by higher purchasing power. 

Long Answer Questions............................ 

Question 36:  Discuss the role of hybridisation in crop improvement. 

Solution 36:   Hybridization is the process of crossing two dissimilar varieties to produce offspring with desirable characteristics. The following characteristics of the crop are improved by hybridization: 

High return on investment: Hybridization aids in crop yield improvement. 

Resistance to pests: Pest tolerance can be achieved by introducing pest resistance genes into the crop. BT Cotton, for example. 

Drought resistance: Drought-resistant varieties provide plants with drought-resistant genes. 

Plants may be resistant to diseases by including genes that protect them from them. 

Question 37: Define (i) Vermicompost (ii) Green manure (iii) Biofertilizer

Solution 37:   

Vermicompost: Manure contains a lot of organic matter. Earthworms, plant and animal waste are used to make vermicompost. Earthworms aid in the composting of agricultural waste, resulting in nutrient-dense manure. 

Green manure: manure that is made by composting green plants. Green manure is normally made in the field, for example, by allowing hemp to decompose. 

Biofertilizers: living organisms that are used to provide nutrients to plants and to make the soil fertile. Blue-green algae, for example, is used as a bio-fertilizer in paddy fields. 

Question 38:  Discuss various methods for weed control. 

Solution 38:   Various methods of weed control are listed below 

• Mechanical removal
• Preparation of seedbed
• Timely sowing of the desired crop
• Crop rotation 

The following are some weed control methods: 

 • mechanical removal 

• seedbed preparation 

• timely sowing of the desired crop 

• crop rotation 

Question 39:  Differentiate between the following 

(i) Capture fishery and Culture fishery 

(ii) Mixed cropping and Inter cropping 

(iii) Bee keeping and Poultry farming 

Solution 39:   

Capture fishing is a form of conventional fishing in which a fisherman captures fish from natural resources such as the sea or rivers. The culture fishery is one in which fish are obtained and raised for commercial purposes. 

Growing two or more crops in a single field is known as mixed cropping. Intercropping is a form of mixed cropping in which two or more crops are planted in a specific pattern in a single area. 

Beekeeping is the practice of raising bees for the purpose of extracting honey. Poultry farming is the practice of raising domestic fowl for egg and meat production. 

Question 40:  Give the merits and demerits of fish culture? 

Solution 40:    Advantages of Fish Culture 

Desired fish can be found in large numbers in a small space. 

Improved food quality, as fish is a low-cost protein source. 

Fish farming's drawbacks 

Only ideal fish varieties are bred. 

It is a danger to the environment's biodiversity. 

Question 41:  What do you understand by composite fish culture?

Solution 41:  Composite fish culture is the practice of raising five or six different species of fish in a single pond. Species are chosen so that they do not compete for food with others due to changes in their eating habits. As a result, the fish eat the food that is available in the tank. Catlas, for example, are surface feeders. Popular caps are bottom feeders, while Rohu is a middle zone feeder.

Question 42:  Why bee keeping should be done in good pasturage? 

Solution 42:   To make honey, bees need high-quality nectar. A successful pasturage contains a large number of flowers that bees may use to obtain high-quality nectar. This improves both the consistency and quantity of the bees. If bees are restricted to only one kind of flower for nectar, the taste and consistency of the honey will be identical. The majority of farmers make honey from a single nectar source. 

Question 43:  Write the modes by which insects affect the crop yield. 

Solution 43:   The modes by which insects reduce crop yield are mentioned below. 

i) Cutting: Plant parts such as leaves, fruits, and flowers are cut by insects. This harms the plant; damaged leaves result in a lower rate of photosynthesis, and fewer flowers mean fewer seeds are produced. 

ii) Borers:  Some pests create boreholes in specific plant parts and begin to live there. These pests consume plant nutrients and food, resulting in a reduction in yield. 

iii) Suckers:  Using their proboscis, a few pests sucker cell sap. This has a negative impact on the plant, lowering the yield. 

Question 44:  Discuss why pesticides are used in very accurate concentration and in very appropriate manner? 

Solution 44:  Because of the following factors, pesticides are used very precisely and appropriately. 

Pesticides used in excess can deplete the soil's fertility. 

• Depletes organic matter in the soil; 

• Kills beneficial microorganisms in the soil; 

• Pollutes the air, water, and soil. 

Question 45:  Name two types of animal feed and write their functions. 

Solution 45:   

Roughage: Husk, grass, and chopped leaves have roughages. Roughages provide full nutrition to animals and help them digest their food properly. 

Concentrates:  These are prepared according to the needs of specific cattle and are high in proteins and minerals. There are several different types of concentrates on the market. 

Question 46:  What would happen if poultry birds are larger in size and have no summer adaptation capacity? In order to get small sized poultry birds, having summer adaptability, what method will be employed? 

Solution 46:   Maintaining a consistent temperature is critical for optimal egg development. Even if the size of the poultry birds is high, egg production can be reduced if they are not temperature adapted. To produce poultry with a high degree of adaptability and a small scale. It is practised to crossbreed poultry birds. The limited size necessitates small food and a small space for rearing.

Question 47:  Suggest some preventive measures for the diseases of poultry birds. 

Solution 47:   In order to avoid disease in poultry, preventive steps must be taken: 

1.Cleaning: It is important to maintain a high level of hygiene. To ensure farm hygiene, poultry farms should be washed on a regular basis. 

2. Hygiene: Hygiene should be preserved inside the farm. 

3.Disinfectants: Disinfectants should be sprayed often. 

4. Vaccination: To prevent disease in poultry, birds should be vaccinated. 

Question 48:  Figure15.1 shows the two crop fields [Plots A and B] have been treated by manures and chemical fertilizers respectively, keeping other environmental factors same. Observe the graph and answer the following questions. 

(i) Why does plot B show sudden increase and then gradual decrease in yield? 

(ii) Why is the highest peak in plot A graph slightly delayed? 

(iii) What is the reason for the different pattern of the two graphs?

Solution 48:   

i) When we use chemical fertilizers, the yield will increase dramatically because nutrients will be released in large quantities. However, crop yields decline over time as excessive use of chemical fertilizers kills beneficial microorganisms in the soil and decreases the amount of organic matter in the soil.

ii) Since manure is high in organic matter, it releases nutrients slowly. Manure, on the other hand, enriches the soil by supplying nutrients and an atmosphere conducive to the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

iii) The graph's distinct patterns are due to two different methods of releasing nutrients into the soil. The graph shows that using chemical fertilizers excessively is harmful, while using manure is beneficial for a long time. When the amount of manure is increased, the yield remains high.

Question 49: Complete the crossword puzzle (Fig.15.2)

Across

1. Oil yielding plant (9)

3. Crop grown in winter season (4)

5. Fixed by Rhizobium (8)

9. Common honey bee (4)

Downward

2. Animal feed (6)

4. A micronutrient (5)

6. Unwanted plant in crop fields (4)

7. An exotic breed of chicken(7)

8. Bottom feeders in fish pond(7)

10. A marine fish (4) 

Solution 49: 

Across: 

1.Sunflower

3. Rabi

5. Nitrogen

9. Apis

Down:

2. Fodder

4. Boron

6.Weed

7. Leghorn

8. Mrigals

10. Tuna