Module 3: Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) Problem III
Module 3 (Week 3):
Based on links to reference material provided and additional referencing you have done, answer the following questions. Post your answers on the
Q 1). What is the meaning of Soil Health Card? Which characteristics of soil are analysed and reported in the soil health card? (3 marks)
Reference: https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/Content/FAQ/SOILHEALTHCARD-English.pdf
Case study: Rita stays in Punjab, India. The main crops cultivated here are: wheat, rice, cotton, maize, pulses, sugarcane and several oil seeds including sesame, groundnut. The state has huge areas, under fruit cultivation of which kinnow, guava, mangoes, pear, peach, litchi, orange and ber are the main ones. She used the following references:
References:
1) http://agripb.gov.in/home.php?page=intpu
2) http://www.punjabdata.com/Agriculture-In-Punjab.aspx
Q 2) Where do you stay? Which are the main crops cultivated in your state? State 4 such crops. (2 marks)
Case study: Rita is from Punjab. She selected sugarcane as a crop for further study and found out the climatic and soil type requirements for it. Details are given below:
Irrigation/ rainfall: A total of at least 1,500 mm of rain each year or access to irrigation is required.
The soil should be kept loose and moist during planting and watered afterwards till the plants gain their full height. It grows well in deep, well-drained soils of medium fertility of sandy loam soil textures with a pH range from 6.0 to 7.7. The optimum soil pH is about 6.5.
Waterlogged soils are not suitable. Sugarcane is a relatively salt sensitive plant. Salinity induces water stress and it shows symptoms such as premature wilting, scorching of the leaves, and restricted growth and, in severe cases, death of the plant..
The soil should be left fallow for a period before new crop is planted. Ploughing ensures that the soil is broken into fine even particles. This helps the roots of the new plants obtain nutrients and moisture.
Q 3) Choose a crop (other than sugarcane) from amongst the crops grown in your state, for further study. What are the climatic and soil type requirements of the crop you have selected? (4 marks)