Hybridisation refers to the crossing between genetically dissimilar plants.

All of the above are the objectives of crop improvement.

Green Revolution means increase in the production of food grains. The Indian state of Punjab pioneered Green Revolution among the other states, transforming India into a food-surplus country.

Shortening the maturity duration of a crop does not affect its resistance towards drought.

Organic farming avoids the use of artificial chemicals and promotes the use of organic manure.

Bio-agents are organic agents used in fertilisers. For example, culture of blue-green algae. Cultures of neem leaves or turmeric are used in grain storage as bio–pesticides because grains, during storage, cannot be sprayed with pesticides. So, during that period, cultures of neem leaves are placed with them. Culture of earthworms, used in making compost (rich in organic matter and nutrients), hastens the process of decomposition of waste. Culture of mushrooms cannot be used as mushrooms themselves are capable of extracting the nutrients from fertilisers.

“Vermi” means worms. So, chemicals, birds and insects cannot do vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is the process of composting by utilising various species of worms, usually red wigglers and earthworms, to create a heterogeneous mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste. Secretions in the intestinal tracts of earthworms, along with soil passing through the earthworms, makes nutrients more concentrated and available for plant uptake, including micronutrients.

Marine fisheries are fishes found in deep seas and coastline. Pomphret, tuna and sardines are popular marine fish varieties while catla is a freshwater fish found in rivers and lakes.

Concentrates are the foods, which are low in fibre and contain high levels of proteins and other nutrients like carbohydrates and minerals. In general, animal feed includes: (1) roughage which contains fibre, and (2) concentrates which are low in fibre and contain relatively high levels of proteins and other nutrients. Cattles need balanced rations containing all nutrients in proportionate amounts. Micronutrients are also needed for growth and they promote the health and milk output of dairy animals. Micronutrients are the nutrients needed in small quantities. These include dietary minerals needed by the body. For example, iron, cobalt, chromium, etc. while macronutrients are required in large quantities. For example, carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats supply 90% of the dry weight of the diet and 100% of its energy. 

Abiotic factors (non-living) – temperature, wind, humidity, rainfall, drought, salinity, water-logging, light intensity, etc. Biotic factors (living) – pathogens, bacteria, virus, etc. Drought, salinity and water-logging are categorised under abiotic factors. On the other hand, diseases are caused by biotic factors such as living pathogens, bacteria, virus, fungi, etc. Therefore, diseases are biotic factors affecting crop production.

Mixed cropping simply means growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land. For example, growing leguminous crop with non-leguminous crop. So, if non-leguminous crop cannot take nitrogen from the soil, the other leguminous crop consumes it as it can take nitrogen available in the soil. For example, wheat (non-leguminous crop) + gram (leguminous crop) or wheat (non-leguminous crop) + mustard (leguminous crop). Intercropping – Growing of two or more crops simultaneously in a fixed pattern is known as intercropping. A few rows of one crop and then a few rows of other crop are grown. Single cropping – It is a technique of growing a single crop over a wide area also known as monoculture. Crop rotation – A practice of growing a series of dissimilar types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons for various benefits such as to avoid build-up of pathogens or pests that often occurs when one type of species is continuously cropped. Therefore, simultaneously growing of wheat (a cereal) + gram (leguminous crop) on the same piece of land in no fixed pattern is known as mixed cropping.

Red Sindhi is an indigenous breed of cow. Indigenous breed is an Indian breed, i.e. native of a place. For example, Red Sindhi, Sahiwal. This cow is medium in size and red in colour with dark and light shades. Brown, Swiss and Jersey are the foreign or exotic breeds of cows. For example, Brown Swiss is from Switzerland and Jersey is from the island of Jersey, USA.

Colour of chicks is not a significant trait for raising a new variety of poultry breeds.

Desirable traits of bees are: Stinging less frequently Breeding very well Having high honey collection capacity Staying in the given beehive for a long period

Weeds compete for food and take up nutrients from soil. Thus, they reduce the yield of the main crop. Therefore, they should be removed as soon as possible.