31/03/2026
CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
CBSE Class 8 Science Chapter 1 is “Crop Production and Management”.
Here is a complete, concise set of notes you can use for revision and exam preparation.
1. What is a crop?
A crop is a large quantity of similar plants of one kind grown together for food, fibre, or other useful products.
Examples: wheat, rice, maize, cotton, pulses, vegetables.
2. Basic needs of crops
Nutrients (from soil, manure, fertilisers)
Water (irrigation)
Sunlight (for photosynthesis)
Proper climate (suitable temperature, rainfall)
3. Types of crops (by season)
4. Agricultural practices (steps)
1. Preparation of soil
Ploughing (tilling): Loosens soil, improves air circulation, helps roots pe*****te.
Levelling: Makes soil surface smooth so water spreads evenly.
W**ding (before sowing): Removal of unwanted plants (weeds) that compete for nutrients, water, and space.
2. Sowing of seeds
Seeds are sown into the prepared soil.
Good seeds should be healthy, disease‑free, and of a high‑yielding variety.
Methods:
Manual sowing (by hand)
Seed drill (machine that sows seeds uniformly at proper depth).
3. Adding manure and fertilisers
4. Irrigation
Supply of water to crops at regular intervals.
Common methods:
Drip irrigation (water drops exactly near roots – saves water)
Sprinkler system (water sprayed like rain)
Canals, wells, tube‑wells (flood the field).
5. Protection from weeds, pests, and diseases
W**ds: Removed by weeding (manual or using herbicides).
Pests/insects: Controlled by pesticides.
Diseases: Controlled by treating seeds with fungicides, proper crop rotation, etc.
6. Harvesting
Cutting and collecting mature crops from the field.
Can be:
Manual (sickle)
Mechanical (harvester combines).
7. Storage
Grains are dried before storage to prevent fungus and rot.
Stored in godowns, silos, or gunny bags, often with chemical preservatives or insecticides to protect quality.
5. Animal husbandry (brief)
Animal husbandry is the practice of rearing and breeding livestock (cows, buffaloes, poultry, goats, etc.) for milk, meat, eggs, and other products.
It includes proper feeding, cleaning, housing, and disease control of animals.
6. Key definitions (short form)
Crop: A large, similar group of plants grown for food or other use.
Kharif crop: Grown in rainy season.
Rabi crop: Grown in winter season.
Manure: Organic material added to soil to improve fertility.
Fertiliser: Chemical substance supplying plant nutrients.
Irrigation: Artificial supply of water to crops.
W**d: Unwanted plant growing with crops.
Harvesting: Gathering mature crops.
Storage: Keeping harvested grains safely for future use.