Growing Plants
Plants From Root, Stems and Leaves
Plants do not grow only from seeds rather they also grow with the help of root, stem, and leaves.
Roots that can grow into new plants.
There are many plants that can grow with the help of root. For example: Carrot, radish, turnip, beetroot and dahlia, etc. grow with the help of root. A new plant can be grown from the top portion of a carrot.
Stem that can grow into new plants
Potato and onion are stems that can grow into a new plant. Potato is a special kind of stem, which grows underground. It has buds called ‘eye’ on its surface. Any piece of potato with an eye can grow into a new plant.
Rose, money plant and hibiscus, etc. can grow into a new plant with a stem cutting of a mother plants.
Leaves can grow into a new plants.
Bryophyllum leaves: A complete plants can be grown from these leaves if they are placed in moist soil.
Plants can be grown from a single cell by a special technique called tissue culture.
Growing plants from spores
Fungi and fern do not have seeds they have a tiny structure called spores. Mushrooms and other fungi, and ferns reproduce with the help of spores.
Agriculture:
The practice of growing plants on a large scale for food or other purposes is called agriculture.
Crops:
The plants of the same kind that are grown in a particular area or region at a particular season are called crops.
Steps of agriculture
(1) Farmers prepare their fields to sow the seeds. They first dig the upper layer of soil to loosen and make it soft. This process is called ploughing.
(2) Manure is added to the soil.
(3)Seeds are sown. It is necessary to drop the right amount of seeds at regular distance for proper growth of plants.
(4) After growing of plants, the field is irrigated.
(5) Pesticides are sprayed to protect the crops. Pesticide is a type of chemical which kills harmful insects and protect crops from getting die or damaged by those insects and animals.
(6) After ripening crops are harvested. Cutting and gathering of ripened crops is called harvesting.
Farming in Hilly Areas
Step Farming:
In hilly areas, people grow crops by cutting steps in the mountains. This is known as step farming.
Crops and Seasons:
All crops do not grow in all season. Different crops grow in different seasons.
Kharif crops:
Crops grown from June-July to October-November are called KHARIF CROPS. These crops depend on monsoon. For example: rice and maize are kharif crops and are grown in rainy season.
Rabi crops:
Crops grown from November to April are called RABBI CROPS or RABI CROPS. For example: wheat, beans, and legumes, etc.