Class 11 Floriculturist Chapter 4 Field Preparation and Cultural Operations

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Class 11 Floriculturist Chapter 4 Field Preparation and Cultural Operations

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Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. AHSEC Class 11 Floriculturist Textual Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given AHSEC Class 11 Floriculturist Textbook Solutions English Medium for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Field Preparation and Cultural Operations

Chapter: 4

A. Fill in the Blanks: 

1. The colour of the soil depends on _____________and ______________. 

Ans: Organic matter minerals, colour of parent rock.

2. Transformation of rocks into agricultural land is called _______________. 

Ans: Soil genesis/pedogenesis.

3. The soil can be classified as per the size of soil particles. This is termed as____________. 

Ans: Soil texture.

4. The inter-particle spaces of soil are known as _______________. 

Ans: Porosity.

5. The capacity of the soil to resist sudden change in pH is called __________ capacity of soil.

Ans: Buffering.

6. A soil type ideal for horticultural crop is _____________. 

Ans: Alluvial soil.

7. Soil acidity can be corrected by the application of _____________ to the soil. 

Ans: Lime.

8. Soil science is also known as _______________.

Ans: Pedology.

B.  Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Maximum plant nutrients are available when the pH ranges from _______________.

(a) 8 to 8.5.

(b) 6.5 to 7.00.

(c) 7 to 7.5.

(d) 6 to 6.4.

Ans: (b) 6.5 to 7.00.

2. ______________ predominates the population of microbes in acidic soils.

(a) Fungi.

(b) Algae.

(c) Bacteria.

(d) Protozoa.

Ans: (a) Fungi.

3. The pH of black soil varies from _______________.

(a) 7.2 to 8.5.

(b) 4.2 to 6.

(c) 6.2 to 6.8.

(d) None of the above.

Ans: (a) 7.2 to 8.5. 

4. The ability of soil to change shape or mould when it is wet is due to _____________.

(a) Soil structure.

(b) Soil texture.

(c) Soil consistency.

(d) Buffering.

Ans: (d) Buffering.

5. Desert soils are sandy soils found in __________.

(a) Low rainfall.

(b) High rainfall.

(c) Moderate rainfall.

(d) None of the above.

Ans: (a) Low rainfall.

6. Measuring the quantity of cations that can be absorbed and held by the soil is known as ________________.

(a) pH.

(b) Temperature.

(c) Buffering.

(d) Cation exchange capacity.

Ans: (d) Cation exchange capacity.

C. Subjective Questions:

1. Describe the physical properties of soil.

Ans: The physical properties of soil are as under:

(i) Soil colour: Soil surfaces, generally, show black, yellow, red and gray hues. The colours of the soil are due to the presence of organic matter minerals and colour of the parent rock. The colour of the surface soil might differ from the colour of its lower layers. Soil colour is an indicator of organic matter content, soil fertility, soil reaction, drainage, aeration and the ecosystem living beneath it.

(ii) Soil texture: It refers to the size of soil particles that make the soil Soil, according to the particle size can be classified as sand, silt, loam and clay. Soil with big size particles is known as ‘sand’. The diameter of sand particles is more than 0.2 mm. When the size of soil particles is 0.2–0.02 mm, it is called ‘silt’. Loam particles are of 0.02 to 0.002 mm. Clay is the finest particle less than 0.002 mm in diameter. Loamy and clayey soils have good water-holding capacity and are more suitable for the cultivation of flower crops.

(iii) Soil density: Soil consists of various particles. It has a certain percentage of pore space through which air and water movement takes place. The density of soil is weight per unit volume and it can be shown in two ways  bulk density and particle density. Particle density. It refers to the actual density of soil solids. It is defined as mass per unit volume of soil solid only. The average value of particle density is about 2.65 g/cm3. 

(iv) Bulk density: It is defined as the mass per unit volume, which includes the volume occupied by solids, as well as, pore space. It is, usually, expressed grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm3).

(v) Porosity: Soil particles form gaps, known as pore spaces, which allow for air and water movement within the soil. This affects water retention and drainage properties.

(vi) Soil Consistency: This is the ability of the soil to change shape when wet, and its resistance to crushing when dry. It determines the ease with which soil can be cultivated.

(vii) Soil structure: Soil structure refers to the way individual soil particles are arranged to make up the mass of soil. 

Practically, soil structure can be described under the following heads: 

(a) Platy: Horizontally arranged particles are placed one above the other around a plane. 

(b) Prism-like or prismatic: Vertically arranged particles or aggregates around a vertical axis.

(c) Columnar: These structures are similar to prismatic except slightly rounded vertical faces.

(d) Spheroidal or franular: Particles arranged around a point with a curved or an irregular surface. 

(e) Block-like or blocky: Particles arranged around a point with a round or flat surface.

(viii) Soil temperature: It is regulated by the Sun and it helps in the decomposition process within the soil. Low, as well as, high soil temperatures are found harmful for crops. The crops slow down their growth as the temperature falls below 9º C and ceases when it reaches 50º C. Microorganisms of the soil are very active at a range of 27º C to 32º C. There are various factors which include the colour of soil, vegetative cover, soil moisture and slope of the land.

2. Describe acidic soil.

Ans: Such soils are a result of the parent material. These develop from the weathering of acidic rock, like granite. Sometimes agro-climatic factors, like high rainfall, are responsible for soil acidity. Bases and lime present in the upper layers of soil leach down deep in the soil due to high rainfall or heavy irrigation and make it unavailable. The availability of aluminum increases. Soil acidity has a toxic effect on root tissues and affects the permeability of cations. Soil acidity lowers calcium and potassium content and affects the availability of phosphorus, copper, and zinc. The balance between the base and acidic constitution of the plant is disturbed, which affects enzymatic changes. Elements like aluminum, manganese, and iron become toxic in an acidic medium. Beneficial activities of soil microorganisms are affected. Sometimes the addition of fertilizers, such as ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride, is also responsible for increasing the soil acidity. Microorganisms in the soil decompose organic matter into organic acids.

3. What is saline soil? Give the causes of soil salinity.

Ans: These are mostly found in arid and dry regions, where the rate of evaporation is too high. Soluble salts from the lower layer of soils come up and get accumulated due to evaporation of soil moisture. In the catchments, the salts are accumulated by collection of washing of surrounding slopes. Poor drainage and high water table also increases salinity. Irrigation by saline water also causes accumulation of salts in the upper layer of the soil. In saline soils, the presence of white incrustation of salts on the surface is commonly seen. Salinity of soil is due to excess calcium and magnesium chlorides, sulphates and carbonates. It contains enough soluble salts to interfere with the growth of most crop plants. High evaporation of moisture from soil and low rainfall are the main causes of soil salinity. The exchangeable sodium in saline soil is less than 15% and the pH is below 8.5. The name of electrical conductivity is 4 m mhos/cm, or more at 25º C.

Causes of Soil Salinity:

(i) High evaporation rates in arid regions.

(ii) Soluble salts coming up from lower layers due to evaporation of moisture.

(iii) Poor drainage and high water table that trap salts in the soil.

(iv) Irrigation with saline water, leading to salt accumulation.

(v) Accumulation of salts from washing of surrounding slopes into catchments.

4. Write the characteristics of the following soils of India:

(a) Alluvial Soil. 

Ans: This soil is ideal for horticultural production. These soils are found along rivers. They consist of material deposited by rivers during flood situations. These are very productive soils. These greatly differ in colour, texture, drainage conditions, presence or absence of sodium salts, etc. These are suitable for the cultivation of vegetables, flowers, and fruits. These soils are found in all States along the rivers. The Indo-Gangetic alluvial soils are the best example.

(b) Laterite Soil.

Ans: These soils form in-situ under high rainfall conditions with alternating wet and dry periods. These are red to reddish-yellow in colour. Heavy rains cause the leaching of bases and silica from the surface to deep in the soil. These show acidic character with a pH of 5 to 6. These are poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, magnesium, and lime. These soils are porous and well-drained with poor water-holding capacity. These are found in eastern Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

(c) Black Soil.

Ans: Deep black to light black soils range from very fertile to very poor. These are rich in clay (montmorillonite) particles. These have an alkaline reaction. These are rich in bases, lime, and calcium as cations. The pH of black soil varies from 7.2 to 8.5. These soils are poor in nitrogen, phosphate, and organic matter but rich in potash, calcium, and magnesium. These soils are extremely soft when wet, but when dry, they form hard blocks and develop deep cracks. Black soils range from heavy clay (ill-drained) to loams (well-drained), very deep to quite shallow. Black soils are predominant in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, western Andhra Pradesh, southern Tamil Nadu, and northern Karnataka.

(d) Red Soil.

Ans: Such soils result from weathered material of metamorphic rocks. These are porous and friable, neutral to acidic in reaction. These soils are poor in humus, nitrogen, lime, and phosphate. These are found in parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, NE Andhra Pradesh, eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Rajasthan.

D.  Match the Columns:

Ans:

A. Fill in the Blanks: 

1. Weeding refers to the removal of all ________________ plants from the field. 

Ans: Unwanted.

2. Digging and pulling the soil in between the rows and heaping it around the stem of plants is called _______________. 

Ans: Earthing up.

3. The main principle of pruning is to reduce the ______________. 

Ans: Apical dominance.

4. The removal of all side shoots is known as _______________.

Ans: Deshooting.

B.  Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Inorganic mulch is _____________.

(a) Straw.

(b) Dry grass.

(c) Saw dust.

(d) Plastic sheets.

Ans: (d) Plastic sheets.

2. Earthing up is a common practice in _____________.

(a) Rose.

(b) Marigold.

(c) Gladiolus.

(d) Carnation.

Ans: (c) Gladiolus.

3. Pinching in plants promotes _____________.

(a) Plant height.

(b) Flower size.

(c) Bushy growth.

(d) Root growth.

Ans: (c) Bushy growth.

4. Giving definite direction and shape to the plant is known as _____________.

(a) Pruning.

(b) Pinching.

(c) Disbudding.

(d) Deshooting.

Ans: (a) Pruning.

C. Subjective Questions:

1. What are the various practices for land preparation?

Ans: The various practices for land preparation are as under:

(i) Ploughing: For the cultivation of flowers, the field should be first dug out to a certain depth in order to improve aeration and drainage, and provide easy space for growth and development of roots. The digging of fields is done through plough and the operation is known as ‘ploughing’. Ploughing also uproots weeds and previous crop residues. The depth of ploughing should be kept 20–25 cm as superficial ploughing will not favour plant development, whereas ploughing too deep will bury nutrients and make it beyond the reach of the root zone. Ploughing of the field two to three times across is recommended for better results.

(ii) Harrowing: The purpose of harrowing is to break clods after ploughing and smoothening the soil surface for growing ornamental crops. Different types of harrow are used as per the requirement. In general, manures are applied at the time of field preparation and thoroughly mixed by harrowing.

(iii) Levelling: After harrowing, the soil is planned to have a uniform level and slope. Levelling of land ensures better implementation of irrigation and planting of crops. Levelling is done to lower the higher parts of the field and soil from higher altitude is spread over the lower regions. After leveling the land, the desired layout of specific dimensions used for planting, such as ridges and furrows or flat or raised bed, are prepared. 

2. Describe in detail the practices followed in flower cultivation.

Ans: The various practices followed in flower cultivation are as under: 

(i) Weeding: It refers to the removal of all unwanted plants from the field, other than those planted or sown. Periodical removal of weeds is beneficial for the growth and development of crop as this prevents competition of weeds with the main crop for sunlight, water, air and nutrients. It is also necessary as weeds harbour many insect pests and diseases. Primary weeding is done to clear huge amounts of plants other than the main crop. In our country, weeding is, generally, carried out manually. Mechanical weeding may conveniently be carried out in those crops, which have been sown or planted as per specification and in rows. However, chemical weeding can be carried out anywhere in any crop, though it may have side effects on the environment. Therefore, mechanical weeding is always preferred. Mulching at the initial stage also minimises weed population.

(ii) Mulching: It is a process of covering the soil around plants with organic wastes, like straw, hay, dry grass or leaves, saw dust and crop residues, etc., or synthetic materials, like plastic sheets. This method of mulching is of recent origin. Mulching is a good cultural method that preserves soil moisture, soil erosion and protects weeds. It also helps in maintaining the soil temperature. 

(iii) Staking: It is a practice to support plants growing straight and saving them from bending or lodging. Therefore, this operation is done at a time when plants are not too tall. It saves the plants from being blown over by winds, rains and due to the weight of their stems when in bloom or in fruiting. Bamboo stakes are most common, and other than this, branches of shrubs and trees, i.e., neem, subabool, phalsa, eucalyptus, etc., can also be used effectively for this purpose. 

(iv) Earthing up: Digging and pulling the soil in between the rows and heaping it around the stem of plants is called earthing up. In case of bulbous ornamentals, this encourages the development of additional underground food storage structures, such as bulbs, corms, rhizomes or tubers as in case of tuberose, gladiolus, canna, begonia and dahlia. 

(v) Deshooting: It is the removal of all side shoots (offshoots/offsets) emerging from the base of the plant. The main purpose of deshooting is to divert the energy of the plant towards the development of shoots or buds.

(vi) Disbudding: It is the removal of floral buds when a large flower on a plant is desired, as in chrysanthemum and dahlia. In this way, the energy saved by disbudding is diverted towards the development of retained buds, so the flowers become large and vigorous. Generally, it is followed in large-flowered varieties. In carnation, disbudding is practised to obtain long stalks with larger blooms.

(vii) Pinching: It is removal of the growing tips of the vegetative buds to promote bushy growth for more flowering in case of chrysanthemum. It is the removal of 3–5 cm growing tips when the plants are 8–10 cm tall, i.e., when the plants are about one-month old and the second pinching about three weeks after the first pinching. Pinching is also a common practice in carnation and marigold.

(viii) Training: It is the shaping of plants at an early stage, conforming to a particular form, commensurate to the plant’s requirement. This gives the plant a desired height, shape and strong framework with desired number of properly distributed branches and eliminates weak crotch development.

(ix) Pruning: The planned removal of twigs, branches, shoots, limbs, or roots is termed as pruning. Pruning is done with a view to increase the usefulness of the plant.

D.  Match the Columns:

Ans:

Parimol

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