Improvement in Food Resources Test - 1

This is the correct option. Crop protection management, crop variety management and crop production management are the activities that can increase crop yield.

Weeds are unwanted plants which grow in gardens, lawns, etc. They are undesirable and some weeds create nuisance because they have thorns and prickles, while some release chemicals which are toxic and cause skin irritation. They are hazardous, if eaten. They crowd out and restrict light to more desired crops. They also take away the nutrients available for the desired crops in the soil.
Therefore, weeds should be removed from the crop field as early as possible because weeds compete with the main crop for their survival.

Options (2), (3) and (4) are benefits of intercropping as in this technique, we grow two crops. Out of the two, one crop is resistant to pests and diseases and is laid in a fixed pattern. It stops pests and diseases from spreading. Therefore, (2) is a benefit of intercropping system. Moreover, returns from both the crops will be better as both of these have different nutrient requirements and do not have to compete for survival. Therefore, (3) is also a benefit. Restriction in spreading of disease will also reduce the risk of damaging the crops. Therefore, (4) is also a benefit.
Minimum utilisation of the nutrients supplied is not a benefit as it would lead to the accumulation of mineral ions in the soil. Intercropping ensures maximum utilisation of nutrients because both the crops have different nutrient requirements. If the nutrients are not completely utilised, they are accumulated in the soil and result in the pollution of water resources, destruction of microorganisms and friendly insects, crop susceptibility to disease attack and acidification or alkalisation of the soil.

Yes, it is correct. The food crops should be dwarf so that they consume less nutrients. The shorter the duration of crops, the more economical is the variety. Statement 3 is incorrect. The varieties he grows should be insensitive to variations in light duration.

This is the correct option. It is not a correct statement. Manures are very bulky and therefore, not easy to handle, store and transport.

Fumigation and addition of plant products are the control measures against pests attacking stored grains.
In chemical control method, insecticides can be applied by spraying over the gunny bags that contain grains and not directly on the grains.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium are all present in soil. Plants get hydrogen from breakdown of water.

Plant nutrients and organic matter in soil can be increased by adding manures and fertilisers to the soil.

Crop rotation is the growing of different crops in succession on a piece of land to avoid exhausting the soil and to control weeds, pests, and diseases. Better and modern irrigation facilities, and adopting an efficient cropping pattern can lead to higher yields.

Insects affect crop plants by sucking food and water from plant bodies; by cutting roots, stems and leaves of plants; and also by getting into fruits and destroying them.