SEBA Class 9 Solanaceous Crop Cultivator Chapter 1 Introduction to Horticulture Solutions English Medium, SEBA Class 9 Solanaceous Crop Cultivator Question Answer, SEBA Class 9 Solanaceous Crop Cultivator Chapter 1 Introduction to Horticulture Question Answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse throughout different chapter SEBA Class 9 Solanaceous Crop Cultivator Chapter 1 Introduction to Horticulture English Medium Solutions and select needs one.
SEBA Class 9 Solanaceous Crop Cultivator Chapter 1 Introduction to Horticulture
Also, you can read the SCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per SCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines. SEBA Solanaceous Crop Cultivator Elective Class 9 Question Answer. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given SEBA Class 9 Solanaceous Crop Cultivator Chapter 1 Introduction to Horticulture Solutions for All Chapter, You can practice these here.
Introduction to Horticulture
Chapter – 1
Session – 1: Horticulture and its Importance |
Check Your Progress |
(A) Fill in the Blanks:
1. India ranks ______________ in fruit and vegetable production in the world.
Ans: Second.
2. Latin word hortus means ______________ and ____________ means ‘cultivation’.
Ans: Garden and cultura.
3. _____________ crops are of high value but labour intensive.
Ans: Horticulture.
4. ______________ is the largest producer of okra.
Ans: India.
5. India ranks ______________ in the production of bananas.
Ans: First.
6. Horticultural crops, like mango, tea and coconut can be grown on ______________.
Ans: Sloppy lands.
(B) Descriptive Questions:
1. Define horticulture.
Ans: The term horticulture is derived from two Latin words hortus, meaning ‘garden’, and cultura meaning ‘cultivation’. It refers to crops cultivated in an enclosure, i.e., garden cultivation.
2. Write the importance of horticulture.
Ans: Horticulture crops perform a vital role in the Indian economy by generating employment, providing raw material to various food processing industries, and higher farm profitability due to higher production and export earnings from foreign exchange.
(a) Horticulture crops are a source of variability in farm produce and diets.
(b) They are a source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, flavour, aroma, dietary fibres, etc.
(c) They contain health benefiting compounds and medicines.
(d) These crops have aesthetic value and protect the environment.
(e) The comparative production per unit area of horticultural crops is higher than field crops, e.g., paddy crop gives a maximum yield of only 30 q/ha, while banana crop gives 300–450 q/ha and grapes 90–150 q/ha.
(f) Fruit and plantation crops can be cultivated in places where the slope of land is uneven or undulating. Mango and cashew nuts are cultivated on a large scale in the hilly and hill back area of the Konkan region.
(g) The crops are useful for cultivation in wasteland or poor quality soil.
(h) Such crops are of high value, labour intensive and generate employment throughout the year.
(i) Horticultural produce serves as raw material for various industries, such as processing, pharmaceutical, perfumery and cosmetics, chemical, confectionery, oils and paints, etc.
(j) They have national and international demand and are a good source of foreign exchange.
3. Explain the employment opportunities in horticulture.
Ans: Employment opportunities in horticulture:
The horticultural industry offers a variety of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Many jobs require knowledge and training in horticulture. The level of training could be vocational or at the college level. The nature of work may be indoor or outdoor. Intense manual labour or paperwork in office may be involved.
The following are the identified categories of jobs that require varying degrees of familiarity with horticulture:
(i) Nursery operation:
(a) Nursery manager (coordinates the entire nursery operations).
(b) Propagator (develops quality planting material).
(c) Field supervisor (supervises and plans fieldwork).
(d) Plant technician (advises and provides guidance on plant care).
(e) Salesperson (works on the promotion and sale of plant material).
(ii) Turf grass operation:
(a) Landscape technician (establishes and maintains landscape).
(b) Golf course architect (designs a golf course).
(c) Golf course superintendent (supervises the construction and maintenance of the golf course).
(iii) Crop production:
(a) Farm manager (manages the horticulture farm).
(b) Crop grower (produces vegetables, fruits and flowers).
(iv) Florist operation:
(a) Floral designer (creatively arranges flowers).
(b) Store manager (manages and supervises the store of the farm).
(c) Plant rental supervisor (manages plants and pots, and does floral arrangements on rent).
(v) Education:
(a) Teacher/trainer (teaches horticulture in formal or informal system).
(b) Researcher (conducts research to develop new products and varieties).
(c) Extension person (disperses innovative techniques and methods among people).
Session – 2: Branches of Horticulture and Special Horticultural Operations |
Check Your Progress |
(A) Fill in the Blanks:
1. Based on the life span, onion is a __________ crop.
Ans: Biennial crop.
2. The edible part of cauliflower is known as__________.
Ans: Curd.
3. Plants having a life span of one year or one season are called ________.
Ans: Annuals.
4. In India, Rabi season starts from _________.
Ans: 7 October.
5. Watermelon is a __________ season crop.
Ans: Summer season.
(B) Multiple Choice Questions:
1. _____________ is a crop that belongs to cucurbits.
(a) Chilli.
(b) Cucumber.
(c) Drumstick.
(d) Asparagus.
Ans: (b) Cucumber.
2. Cabbage grows well in ______________.
(a) Winter.
(b) Summer.
(c) Rainy.
(d) All through the year.
Ans: (a) Winter.
3. We consume ______________ part of radish.
(a) Rhizome.
(b) Bulb.
(c) Tuber.
(d) Taproot.
Ans: (d) Taproot.
4. Drumstick is an example of ______________ vegetable.
(a) Annual.
(b) Biennial.
(c) Perennial.
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (c) Perennial.
5. The Latin word olerus means ______________.
(a) Fruit.
(b) Vegetable.
(c) Flowers.
(d) Root.
Ans: (b) Vegetable.
6. The removal of succulent terminal shoots from a plant is called ______________.
(a) Bending.
(b) Notching.
(c) Pinching.
(d) Bahar treatment.
Ans: (c) Pinching.
(C) Descriptive Questions
1. What are the different branches of horticulture?
Ans: Horticulture is perhaps the most important branch of agriculture. It is further divided into four different branches:
(i) Pomology: The term is derived from Latin words poma and logus. Poma means ‘fruit’ and logus means ‘study, knowledge or discourse’. It can be defined as a branch of horticulture, which deals with the scientific study of fruit crops.
(ii) Olericulture: The term is derived from Latin words olerus meaning ‘vegetables’ and cultura meaning ‘cultivation’. It can be defined as a branch of horticulture, which deals with the scientific study of vegetable crops.
(iii) Floriculture: The term floriculture is derived from Latin words florus and cultura. Florus means ‘flower’ and cultura means ‘cultivation’. It can be defined as a branch of horticulture, which deals with the scientific study of flowering and ornamental crops. Landscaping is the art of beautifying a piece of land using garden designs, methods and plant material. Professionals who do landscaping are called ‘landscape architects’.
(iv) Post-harvest technology: It is a branch of horticulture, which deals with the principles and practices of handling, packaging and processing of harvested crops to increase their storage life and availability.
2. Classify vegetable crops based on the plant part used as a vegetable.
Ans: Classification of vegetable crops: If the growing of each vegetable is dealt with in detail, it will lead to too much repetition. It is, therefore, desirable to classify vegetable crops into certain groups as per their similarities.
(i) Based on the nature of plant (stem):
(a) Herbaceous and succulents: Leafy vegetables.
(b) Shrubs: Brinjal, chilli, tomato, etc.
(c) Trees: Drumstick, jackfruit, etc.
(d) Vines: Cucurbits, etc.
(ii) Based on the life span (from seed-to-seed):
(a) Annuals: The life span of annual plants or annuals is a season or a year, e.g., brinjal, chilli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucurbits, tomato, leafy vegetables, etc.
(b) Biennials: The life span of biennials is of two seasons or two years, e.g. onion, radish, carrot, etc.
(c) Perennials: The life span of perennial plants is more than two years, e.g., drumstick (moringa), asparagus (shatawari), pointed gourd (parwal), etc.
(iii) Based on the method of commercial propagation:
(a) Sexually propagated (by seed): Brinjal, chilli, cauliÁower, cabbage, cucurbits, tomato, leafy vegetables, etc.
(b) Asexually propagated (vegetative parts): Asparagus, dioscorea, potato, sweet potato, onion, garlic, taro, yam, etc.
• Cuttings: Asparagus.
• Bulbs: Onion, garlic.
• Rhizomes: Colocasia, ginger, coleus.
• Tubers: Potato, sweet potato.
(iv) Based on the method of planting:
(a) Directly sown plants: Okra, leafy vegetables, carrot, radish, peas and beans.
(b) Transplanting: Tomato, brinjal, chilli, cauliflower, cabbage, onion, potato, sweet potato, cassava, pointed gourd, etc.
(c) Crops grown from underground parts:
• Root vegetables: Radish, carrot, turnip, beetroot.
• Rhizome: Colocasia, ginger.
• Bulb: Onion, garlic.
• Tuber: Potato, sweet potato, cassava and yam.
(v) Based on intercultural practices:
(a) Solanaceous crops: Tomato, brinjal, chilli, bell pepper, potato.
(b) Cole crops: Cabbage, cauliflower, knol-khol, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
(c) Leafy vegetables: Spinach, methi, lettuce and chaulai (amaranthus).
(d) Pods or capsules: Pea, cowpea, cluster bean, okra.
(e) Cucurbits: Gourds, melons, cucumber, pumpkin.
(f) Root crops: Carrot, radish, turnip, beetroot.
(vi) Based on climatic requirements:
(a) Temperate vegetables: Radish, potato, carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, knol-khol, broccoli, etc.
(b) Tropical and subtropical vegetables: Watermelon, musk melon, cucumber, tomato, brinjal, chilli, etc.
3. Distinguish between fruit and vegetable.
Ans: The differences between fruit and vegetables are as follows:
Fruits | Vegetables |
Most fruit plants are perennials. | Most vegetables are annuals. |
Fruit plants are generally woody in nature. | Vegetable plants are, generally, herbaceous and succulents. |
They are commercially propagated asexually | They are commercially propagated sexually (by seed). |
Fruit plants require special cultural practices, i.e., training, pruning, etc. | Vegetables are seasonal and only staking and pruning are required in some crops. |
Fruits are mostly consumed fresh after ripening. | Most vegetables require cooking for consumption. |
4. Describe Kharif and Rabi vegetables.
Ans: (a) Kharif season vegetables: These may also be called rainy season crops. These vegetables require a hot and humid climate. The season tentatively starts from 7 June and lasts till 6 October every year. The sowing of seeds may be undertaken from mid-May to late July. Vegetables, like okra, cowpeas, cluster beans, etc., are examples of Kharif vegetables.
(b) Rabi or cool season vegetables: These may also be called cool or winter season crops as these vegetables require low temperature for growth. The season tentatively starts from 7 October and lasts till 6 February. The sowing of seeds may be undertaken from mid-September to late October. Vegetables, like peas, radish, carrot, cauliflower, cabbage, knol-khol, leafy vegetables, etc., are examples of Rabi vegetables.
5. With examples, name the underground part of plants used as vegetables.
Ans: Underground parts of plant:
(i) Taproot: Tapering root growing vertically downward, e.g., carrot, radish, etc.
(ii) Bulb: A fleshy leaved storage organ in some vegetables sending adventitious roots downward and leaves upward, e.g., onion, garlic, etc.
(iii) Tuber: Thick, short and rounded underground stem with modified nodes and buds, e.g., potato, sweet potato, etc.
(iv) Rhizome: Underground root-like stem having roots and shoots, e.g., colocasia, ginger, etc.
6. What is training? What are different systems of training?
Ans: When a plant is made to grow with or without support, in a desired fashion by removing or fastening some of its parts with a view to give it a better framework or shape, the operation is called ‘training’.
There are three different systems of training in fruit trees:
(a) Central leader system: In this system, the main stem of a tree is allowed to grow straight from the ground level to the top, which is called the central axis of the tree. The smaller side branches grow from this central axis in various directions. Such a tree grows tall and bear fruits mostly near the top. The lower branches, gradually, become less vigorous and bear less fruits.
(b) Open centre system: In this system, the main stem of a tree is allowed to grow up to a desired height and the top is headed to induce lateral branches, resulting in a low-headed and open at the centre tree. In this system, the sunlight reaches all branches and the crop is borne closer to the ground. It facilitates harvesting and thinning of fruits, as well as, plant protection operations.
(c) Modified leader system: This system is the modification of the central leader system and the open centre system. The main stem grows for a few years, and after some time, lateral branches are induced to grow, which are widely spaced and spread on all sides not as in the open centre system. Thus, the tree is fairly strong and moderately spread, allowing easy orchard management operations.
7. What do you mean by pruning? Explain the different types of pruning.
Ans: Judicious removal of any part of a plant to divert sap towards its producing areas, leading to an improvement in the quality of yield is called ‘pruning’. It is done during the later stage of plant life when it becomes ready to produce flowers and fruits. Decayed parts can also be pruned off.
The different types of pruning are:
(a) Thinning out: When a shoot or a branch is removed entirely without leaving any stub is called ‘thinning out’.
(b) Heading back: When the terminal portion of a branch or a shoot is removed partially, leaving the basal portion intact, it is called ‘heading back’.
8. Explain the following:
(a) Bending.
Ans: In this operation, erect growing branches of guava trees are bent towards the ground without breaking them.
(b) Notching.
Ans: A small notch of bark, particularly, just above the bud is removed to accumulate nitrogen and induce vegetative growth from the bud. The branches are notched below the bud to accumulate carbohydrate and induce an individual bud to turn into a fruitful one. This practice is followed on a large scale in fig plants.
(c) Pinching.
Ans: It includes the removal of succulent terminal shoots or just pinching of the last small terminal portion of a shoot. It is practised in fruit plants or vines, which throw shoots that are fast growing, thus, diverting the sap flow to the terminal ends.
(D) Match the Columns:
Plant parts | Vegetables |
1. Stem and leaves | (a) Cowpeas, French beans |
2. Curd | (b) Peas |
3. Ripened fruits | (c) Gourds |
4. Tender fruits | (d) Tomato, melons |
5. Seeds | (e) Cauliflower |
6. Immature pods | (f) Leafy vegetables |
Ans:
Plant parts | Vegetables |
1. Stem and leaves | (f) Leafy vegetables |
2. Curd | (e) Cauliflower |
3. Ripened fruits | (d) Tomato, melons |
4. Tender fruits | (c) Gourds |
5. Seeds | (b) Peas |
6. Immature pods | (a) Cowpeas, French beans |
Session – 3: Olericulture and its Importance in Human Nutrition |
Check Your Progress |
(A) Fill in the Blanks:
1. The branch of horticulture that deals with the scientific study of vegetable crops is known as ____________.
Ans: Olericulture.
2. The element, which is essential for building resistance against diseases, growth and strength of teeth and bones is ______________.
Ans: Calcium.
3. Carrot, beetroot, methi, spinach and green chilli are sources of vitamin ____________.
Ans: Vitamin A.
4. Pea and broad bean are the sources of ________ nutrient.
Ans: Vitamin A and C.
(B) Multiple Choice Questions:
1. ___________ is the branch of horticulture dealing with the study of the cultivation of vegetable crops.
(a) Olericulture.
(b) Floriculture.
(c) Pomology.
(d) Preservation.
Ans: (a) Olericulture.
2. ___________ is essential for different intra-cellular activities.
(a) Calcium.
(b) Phosphorus.
(c) Iron.
(d) Iodine.
Ans: (b) Phosphorus.
3. ___________ nutrient is a reserved food material.
(a) Carbohydrates.
(b) Proteins.
(c) Fats.
(d) Vitamin.
Ans: (c) Fats.
(C) Descriptive Questions:
1. Define olericulture. Explain its importance.
Ans: Olericulture is a branch of horticulture, which deals with the study of cultivation of vegetable crops. The term vegetable is applied to edible herbaceous plants or parts, commonly used for culinary purposes. It may be grains as in maize cobs (sweet corn, baby corn), peas, bulbs, corms, rhizomes, roots and tubers, leaves, pods, fruits or curds, mushrooms, etc.
Importance of vegetables in human diet: Vegetables constitute an important component of the human diet. They are natural sources of vitamins and minerals, like calcium, phosphorus and iron, carbohydrates and proteins. These nutrients are necessary for growth and build resistance against diseases. Hence, vegetables are termed as ‘protective foods’. Vegetables increase the palatability of food and eliminate acidity developed due to the consumption of non-vegetarian foods. They are a valuable source of roughages, have a higher digestibility coefficient and remove constipation. Dieticians recommend that the balanced diet of an adult should consist of 300 g of vegetables per day.
2. What are the possibilities of vegetable cultivation in India?
Ans: Possibilities of vegetable cultivation in India:
(a) More crops per year: Vegetable crops grow fast and require only a few months to mature. Therefore, a number of crops can be cultivated in a year.
(b) Profitability: The yield of vegetables per unit area is higher than cereals. In some cases, it is reported 4–6 times high, so vegetables can profitably grow on small and marginal holdings. This enables an increase in the income of small and marginal farmers.
(c) Utilisation of land: Vegetables can be cultivated on a small scale and for a family even in the backyard of a house. It ensures the utilisation of wasteland, household waste and wastewater.
(d) Growing crops in uncertainty of weather: Due to global warming and increase in pollution, there are sudden changes in climatic conditions. Short duration vegetables can be grown effectively because a crop standing for a long period will suffer more from climatic adversities.
(e) Employment: Vegetables are labour-intensive crops and can be grown throughout the year. This provides employment opportunities to agricultural labourers in rural areas.
(f) Advanced techniques of cultivation: Polyhouse and shade-net house techniques of vegetable cultivation enable to get quality produce with maximum returns from a small area. Exotic vegetables with special cultural practices can be grown in such structures and more income can be generated.
(g) Seed industry: Seed is an important factor governing the production of vegetables. Quality seed production is a technical matter, which requires specific environmental conditions and technical knowledge. Quality seeds increase the crop yield, and subsequently, the income of farmers. Exporting vegetable seeds to countries in South East Asia and Africa helps in foreign exchange.
(h) Increasing irrigation facilities: Awareness about water conservation and construction of dams, canals, ponds and other water bodies to be used as sources of irrigation are increasing by the day. Adequate irrigation facilities ensure growing vegetable crops throughout the year.
(i) Better transport facilities: The country’s transport infrastructure is improving, and interior and remote areas are gradually getting connected with highways and railways. This ensures early and better transportation of the produce to urban and remote markets.
(j) Skilled manpower: Cultivators, these days, are more skilled. Farmers are educated and trained in innovative practices and new scientific techniques. Their problems are effectively solved through various agencies, such as universities, radio, television, mobile phones, extension workers and other digital means.
(h) Government assistance: The government is emphasising on the development of horticulture. Several schemes and financial assistance regarding infrastructure, irrigation, greenhouse and other farm inputs are being provided to farmers through National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Horticulture Board (NHB), etc.
3. Give the dietary importance of vitamin A.
Ans: The dietary importance of vitamin A are as follows:
(i) Vitamin A is essential for the growth of the body, and for maintaining healthy eyes and skin.
(ii) It plays an important role in vision (especially night vision), boosts the immune system, and helps keep the skin and mucous membranes healthy.
(iii) Examples of vegetables rich in vitamin A — carrot roots, leaves of turnip, beetroot, sweet potato, methi, spinach, lettuce, green onion, cabbage, tomato, green chill.
4. What are important minerals supplied by vegetables?
Ans: Calcium, phosphorus and iron are the important minerals supplied by vegetables.
(i) Calcium: It is essential for building resistance against diseases, growth and strength of teeth and bones, and helps in blood clotting.
(ii) Phosphorus: It is essential for different intra-cellular activities, helps in cell division and multiplication, oxidation of carbohydrates and growth of bones.
(iii) Iron: It is the important constituent of red blood corpuscles, carries oxygen to various parts of the body.
(D) Match the Columns:
Nutrients | Causes of deficiency |
1. Vitamin A | (a) Anaemia |
2. Vitamin B1 | (b) Osteoporosis |
3. Vitamin B2 | (c) Rickets |
4. Vitamin C | (d) Pellagra |
5. Vitamin D | (e) Scurvy |
6. Vitamin E | (f) Beri beri |
7. Calcium | (g) Conjunctivitis |
8. Iron | (h) Sterility |
Ans:
Nutrients | Causes of deficiency |
1. Vitamin A | (g) Conjunctivitis |
2. Vitamin B1 | (f) Beri beri |
3. Vitamin B2 | (d) Pellagra |
4. Vitamin C | (e) Scurvy |
5. Vitamin D | (c) Rickets |
6. Vitamin E | (h) Sterility |
7. Calcium | (b) Osteoporosis |
8. Iron | (a) Anaemia |

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