What are Crops?
economy. It is the backbone of our country. 70% of the Indian population depends on agriculture for
food and money. It is the major occupation in the rural areas. The cultivation of crops depends
primarily on the weather and soil conditions.
Types of Crops
Kharif Crops
The crops which are grown in the monsoon season are known as Kharif crops. For eg., maize,
millet, and cotton.
The seeds are sown at the beginning of monsoon season and harvested at the end of the monsoon
season.
Such crops require a lot of water and hot weather for proper growth.
Rabi Crops
The name “Rabi” means “spring” – a word derived from Arabic.
The crops that are grown in the winter season and harvested in the spring are called Rabi crops.
Wheat, gram, and mustard are some of the Rabi crops.
Various agricultural practices are carried out to produce new crop varieties.
Such crops require a warm climate for the germination and maturation of seeds. They, however,
require a cold climate for their growth.
Zaid Crops
Such crops are grown between the Kharif and Rabi seasons, i.e., between March and June.
These crops mature early.
Cucumber, pumpkin, bitter gourd, and watermelon are zaid crops.
Factors Affecting Crop Production
The factors affecting the production of crops include:
Internal or Genetic Factors
The genetic makeup decides crop growth and production. Breeders incorporate maximum desirable
characters in the crops to obtain a new hybrid variety. The desirable characters include:
Early maturity
High yielding ability
Resistance to drought, flood, and salinity
Tolerance to insect and diseases
Resistance to lodging
The chemical composition of grains
Quality of grains and straw
These characters are transmitted from one generation to another.
External or Environmental Factors
The external factors include:
Climatic
Edaphic
Biotic
Socio-economic
Climatic Factors
The climatic factors that affect crop production include:
Precipitation
Temperature
Atmospheric Humidity
Solar radiation
Wind Velocity
Atmospheric Gases
Edaphic Factors
The growth of the plants depends upon the type of soil on which they are grown. These are known
as edaphic factors and include the following:
Soil Moisture
Soil Air
Soil Temperature
Soil Mineral Matter
Soil Organic Matter
Soil Organisms
Soil Reactions
Biotic Factors
Plants and animals are biotic factors that affect crop production. Even pests impact crop production,
often with negative implications.
Socio-economic Factors
The number of human resources available for cultivation.
The inclination of society towards cultivation.
Appropriate choice of crops.
Breeding varieties for increased yield or pest resistance by human inventions.
