CBSE Class 9 Science Notes Chapter 15: As we discover in CBSE Class 9 Science Notes

Chapter 15 Improvement in Food Resources Notes, food is a necessity for all living things.
Proteins, carbs, and other vital nutrients are found in food and are necessary for healthy bodily
development and growth. The sources from which the raw materials are sourced are also
included in this chapter. This chapter provides us with a wealth of information about the diverse
resources available for food and sustainable agriculture, making it an intriguing subject.

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CBSE Class 9 Science Notes Chapter 15 Overview

Food is a necessary source of energy for all living things to thrive and survive. Through
agriculture and animal husbandry, we get sustenance from both plants and animals. It is
imperative to enhance food resources to fulfill the population's continuously rising demands.
This involves enhancing the quality as well as the quantity of food supplies, which translates to
higher yields and more diverse crop varieties.

To accomplish this without endangering the environment and the delicate balance of nature, we
require sustainable techniques in animal husbandry and agriculture. Integrated farming,
intercropping, and mixed farming are a few instances of sustainable and rational management
techniques.

CBSE Class 9 Science Notes Chapter 15

Food

All of the fundamental needs for healthy growth, development, and well-being are met by food.
All nutrients, including proteins, lipids, carbs, vitamins, and minerals, are found in food.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the science or art of farming, which includes tilling the land, cultivating crops, and
raising livestock to produce meat, wool, and other goods.

Sources of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates can be found in different forms, such as sugars, fresh fruits, starch, vegetables,
cereals, corn, potatoes, fibers, bread, pastries, milk, and milk products.
Sources of Fats

Many foods, including butter, cheese, cream, and oilseeds like soybeans and groundnuts,
naturally contain fats.

Sources of Vitamins and Minerals

The primary food sources of vitamins and minerals are fruits and vegetables. Fish and pork can
also provide some of the vitamins.

Sources of Protein

The most popular foods that are higher in protein include cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, milk,
broccoli, quinoa, soybeans, shellfish, almonds, poultry, eggs, and oats.

Fodder Crops

Fodder crops like berseem, oats, or sudangrass are raised as food for the livestock.

Kharif Crops

Kharif crops are those that are cultivated from June to October, during the monsoon season.
Kharif crops include black gram, cotton, green gram, soybean, maize, paddy, and pigeon pea.

Rabi Crops

Rabi crops are those that are grown in the winter, from October to March. Rabi crops include
wheat, gram, peas, mustard, and linseed.

Crop Variety Improvement

Crop strains or varieties can be chosen through breeding based on several beneficial traits,
including high yields, resistance to disease, and sensitivity to fertilizers. We refer to this as crop
variety enhancement.

Hybridization

Hybridization refers to crossing between genetically dissimilar plants.

Intervarietal Hybridisation

It is a cross between the two same species but with different varieties.

Interspecific Hybridisation
It is a cross between two different species but the same genera.

Intergeneric Hybridisation

It is a cross between the two intergeneric hybridizations belonging to different genera.

Genetically Modified Crops

Genetically modified crops are created when a desired gene is inserted into the genome of a
crop.

Golden rice, Bt cotton, Bt brinjal, and other crops are examples of genetically modified, or GM,
crops.

Factors for Which a Variety of Improvements Is Done

There are several reasons why different improved varieties of crops are generated. The reasons
include the following.

1. Higher yield.
2. Improved quality.
3. Maturity duration.
4. Wider adaptability.
5. Biotic and abiotic resistance.
6. Desirable agronomic characteristics.

Crop Production Improvement

Managing agricultural production is the process of cultivating and harvesting crops efficiently.

Nutrient Management

Nutrients are found in soil, water, and air for plants. Plants require sixteen different nutrients to
survive. Carbon and oxygen are supplied by air, hydrogen is obtained from water, and plants
receive the remaining thirteen nutrients from the soil. The process of managing nutrients
involves adding manures and fertilizers to the soil to provide it with the necessary nutrients.

Macronutrients

Six of the thirteen basic nutrients are abundantly needed for the growth and development of
plants. Together, these vital nutrients are referred to as macronutrients.

The macronutrients that plants need include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K),
calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and magnesium.
Micronutrients

Six of the thirteen necessary nutrients are categorized as macronutrients, and the remaining
seven as micronutrients. Iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper
(Cu), and molybdenum (Mo) are some of these nutrients. They are also known as trace minerals
since they are needed in extremely small amounts.

Manure

Manure is an organic material made from the solid wastes of people and animals, as well as
from sludge, sewage, domestic trash, dead plants and animals that have decomposed, and
other plant wastes such as weeds, dry leaves, and twigs. It has an enormous amount of
nutrients, which enhance the quality of the soil and raise the yield of nutritious crops.

Compost and Vermicompost

Composting is the process by which biological waste material breaks down in pits.
Vermicompost is the term for compost that is made with earthworms to speed up the process.

Green Manure

Some plants, like sun hemp or guar, are cultivated and then mulched by plowing them into the
soil before the crop seeds are sown. As a result, these green plants produce green manure,
which improves the nutrient content of the soil.

Fertilizers
Commercially produced plant nutrients that are needed in small amounts are called fertilizers.
This fertilizer comes in several brands on the market. The most used type of fertilizer is NPK
fertilizer, which supplies potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

Organic Farming
Organic farming involves using as much organic manure as possible in place of as little or no
chemical fertilizer. For the highest, chemical-free yield, every resource is utilized to its fullest
potential.

Irrigation

Applying artificial water to crops to meet their water needs is known as irrigation. A variety of
irrigation techniques are used to increase crop productivity. This procedure aids in making sure
the crops receive water at the appropriate times. i.e., during their growing season, which
contributes to raising crop yield expectations. Watersheds, canals, wells, river lift systems,
tanks, and rainwater collection all aid in irrigation.

Cropping Pattern
The percentage of area used for different crops is referred to as the cropping pattern. There are
three categories of cropping patterns:

Intercropping is a cropping practice where two or more crops are grown in parallel on the same
plot of land while following a predetermined row pattern. The productivity of the crops is
increased by using this kind of cropping arrangement. Small farmers who are dependent on
rainfall for increased production, therefore, follow it.

Crop rotation is a cropping practice used to grow different crops in a prearranged succession on
the same plot of land. The duration of the crops—one, two, and three years—is taken into
consideration when choosing them.

A cropping strategy known as "mixed cropping" involves growing two or more crops concurrently
on the same plot of land. Farmers most frequently utilize this strategy because it lowers the
possibility of a crop failing due to insufficient rainfall or unfavorable weather.

Crop Protection Management

Field crops need to be safeguarded against the numerous weeds, insects, pests, and illnesses
that infest them.

Weeds

Weeds are unwanted plants in the cultivated field consuming all the soil nutrients, finally
reducing the crop yield.

Protection Methods Against Weeds

To protect the crop against weeds, the following methods are employed.

1. Preparing a good seedbed.

2. Mechanical removal of weeds.
3. Plant the seeds in a timely fashion.

Effects of Insects and Pests on Crops

Insect pests attack the plants in the following ways:

1. They cut the root, stem, and leaves of the plants

2. They suck the cell sap from various parts of the plant.
3. They bore into stems and fruits, resulting in a reduction in yields.

Pesticides and Insecticides

Chemicals called pesticides and insecticides are used to eradicate pests and other insects that
seriously harm both recently harvested and stored crops. These substances are poisonous by
nature.

Fungi and Viruses

Disease-causing microorganisms that impact plants and recently harvested crops are fungi and
viruses. These infections are devastating because they wipe out enormous agricultural
enterprises.

Tobacco mosaic virus, cauliflower mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and other viruses are
examples of plant viruses. Fungi that cause disease include powdery mildew, stem rust, and
leaf rust.

Herbicides and Fungicides

They are highly toxic chemicals that are used to kill fungi and unwanted vegetation.

Storage Losses

The freshly harvested food grains are kept in silos or other large storage spaces after harvest.
However, the food grains are damaged because of pest attacks or flooding. We refer to this as
storage loss.

Factors Affecting Storage Loss

It is the harm done to the system after harvest. Abiotic and biotic variables are among those
influencing the storage loss. A handful of them are mentioned below:

Biologic factors are storage losses brought on by living things including bacteria, fungi, mites,
insects, and rodents.
Abiotic factors of storage loss include losses brought on by non-living things, such as moisture
content and storage location temperature.

Prevention and Control Measures for Storage Loss

Storage loss can be prevented by following certain protocols like

1. Strict cleaning of the produce before storage.

2. Fumigation using chemicals that can kill pests.
3. Proper drying of the product first in sunlight and then in the shade.

Animal Husbandry
Animal husbandry is the farming and maintenance of animals for commercial purposes. Animals
are raised for milk, meat, and eggs.

Cattle

Almost all farmers are cattle owners. Cattle are raised in India for milk and used as draught
labor for agricultural tasks.

The two primary species of animals that are raised are Bos indicus (cow) and Bos bubalis
(buffalo).

Exotic cow breeds like Brown Swiss and Jersey are raised for long lactation periods.

Indian breeds raised for disease resistance and drought work include Red Sindhi and Sahiwal.

India also raises a large number of hybrids.

Poultry Farming

A type of animal husbandry known as poultry farming is the raising of domestic poultry to
produce eggs and chicken meat. Aseel, Busra Chittagong, and Ghagus are a few Indian poultry
varieties.

American breeds include the Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock Wyandotte, and New
Hampshire.

Other examples include:

● English breeds are Sussex, Cornish, red caps, etc.

● Mediterranean Classes such as leghorns’ white leghorns, Minorca, are more commonly
reared.
● Layers are the egg-laying birds, and broilers are reared for meat.

Fishery

Fishing is the process of obtaining fish for human use. Fish is a staple food for those who live
near the seaside and is an excellent source of protein. Fish can be found in freshwater,
saltwater, and even estuaries. Aquaculture is the method of capturing fish. The various
categories of fishing include:

1. Marine Fisheries — Marine fishery deals with fishing in the oceans and seas. Apart
from fish, it also deals with other seafood, such as prawns, lobsters, and crabs.
2. Inland Fisheries — Inland fishery deals with fishing in rivers, lakes, and tanks. Rohu,
Catla, Mrigal, Grass carp, etc., are very popular varieties of fish reared in freshwater.

Beekeeping
Apiculture, or beekeeping, is the raising of bees to produce honey and wax. This is now a
significant agro-based business that pays well financially. Apis mellifera, Apis Adamson, and
Apis cerena indica, popularly known as the Indian bee, are among the exotic kinds raised in
India. Native to the area is also the Apis dorsata, or rock bee.

Benefits of CBSE Class 9 Science Notes Chapter 15

It is advised that students periodically practice and review science. To help with their practice,
the subject matter experts here have gathered important notes from a variety of sources. The
team has produced thorough notes to guarantee that students understand each question's
solutions. Here are a few benefits that students should go over from Chapter 15 of the CBSE
Class 9 Science Notes:

● This chapter goes into great detail on every subject.

● The range of topics helps students evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in terms of
preparation.
● Before exams, students can review the extensive notes that are provided.