mppcs mains gs 1 geography

Soil: Physical, chemical and biological properties

Soil consists of rock and sediment that has been modified by physical and chemical interaction with organic material and rainwater, over time, to produce a substrate that can support the growth of plants.” Soils are an important natural resource.  They represent the  interface between the lithosphere and the biosphere – as soils provide nutrients for plants.  Soils consist of weathered rock plus organic material that comes from decaying plants and animals.  The same factors that control weathering control soil formation with the exception, that soils also requires the input of organic material as some form of Carbon. Soils have many ... Read more

Issues and challenges related with quality and supply of seed, manure

Seed is the true carrier of technology. In India, three sets of institutions produce seeds:research institutions and agricultural universities; public sector seed producing corporations; andprivate sector firms including multinationals. The last decade has seen two main developmentsin seed market. One, production of quality seed has risen at a rapid rate after 2005-06. And two,public sector has begun to effectively compete with the private sector. Beginning with 2001-02, there has been a distinct change in the role of public sector inthe development of hybrid in all crops.While these changes have led to better availability of quality seed, seed replacement rate(percentage of ... Read more

Soil Productivity and Plant Nutrients

Soil fertility refers to the ability of a soil to sustain agricultural plant growth, i.e. to provide plant habitat and result in sustained and consistent yields of high quality. A fertile soil has the following properties:- It is rich in nutrients necessary for basic plant nourishment. This includes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It consists of adequate minerals such as boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, sulphur and zinc. These minerals promote plant nutrition. It contains soil organic matter that improves the structure of the soil. This enables the soil to retain more moisture. The soil pH is in the range 6.0 to 6.8. ... Read more

Problem soils and their reclamation and Soil conservation planning on watershed basis

Soil erosion is a naturally and continuous process that affects all landforms. In agriculture, soil erosion refers to the wearing away of a field’s topsoil by the natural physical forces of water and wind or through forces associated with farming activities such as tillage. Erosion, whether it is by water, wind or tillage, involves three distinct actions – soil detachment, movement and deposition. Topsoil, which is high in organic matter, fertility and soil life, is relocated elsewhere “on-site” where it builds up over time or is carried “off-site” where it fills in drainage channels. Soil erosion reduces cropland productivity and contributes ... Read more

Soil process and factors of soil formation

Soils develop as a result of the interplay of 5 factors; Parent material, climate, organisms, relief and time. Soil formation or soil genesis refers to changes of soil properties with time in one direction: the content of one component or mineral in a certain horizon decreases or increases‚ sedimentary layering disappears‚ etc. Mostly‚ such changes are slow and can be seen only after decades to millennia. So‚ most soil properties that change during soil formation are relatively stable. Sometimes‚ however‚ effects of soil formation can be seen within weeks or months. Pedogenesis  is the process of soil formation as regulated ... Read more

Case studies – Chernobyl Atomic Plant Tragedy 1986, Bhopal Gas Tragedy 1984, Kutch Earthquake 2001 , Indian Tsunami 2004 Fukushima Daiichi Japan Nuclear Disaster 2011, Uttrakhand Flash Flood 2013, Ujjain Tragedy 1994, Allahabad Kumbh Stampede 2013, J & K Flood 2014 etc.

Disaster manangement: some case studies Aspects of Disaster Management Disaster Prevention Disaster Prevention is the concept of engaging in activities which intend to prevent or avoid potential adverse impacts through action taken in advance, activities designed to provide protection from the occurance of disasters. Disaster Preparedness Disaster preparedness activities embedded with risk reduction measures can prevent disaster situations and also result in saving maximum lives and livelihoods during any disaster situation, enabling the affected population to get back to normalcy within a short time period. Minimisation of loss of life and damage to property through facilitation of effective disaster response ... Read more

Agriculture produce, transport, storage and marketing in the state

Food Processing, and Food Packaging & Marketing Food Processing Industry (FPI) in India is a sunrise sector that has gained prominence in the recent years. Easy availability of raw materials, changing lifestyles and favourable fiscal policies has given a considerable push to the industry’s growth. FPI serves as a vital link between the agriculture and manufacturing sectors of the economy. Strengthening this link is critical to reduce wastage of agricultural raw materials, improve the value of agricultural produce by increasing shelf-life as well as by fortifying the nutritive value of the food products and ensure remunerative prices to farmers as ... Read more

Agro-ecology and its relevance to man

Agro-ecology and its relevance to man The term agroecology can be used in multiple ways, as a science, as a movement and as a practice. Broadly stated, it is the study of the role of agriculture in the world. Agroecology provides an interdisciplinary framework with which to study the activity of agriculture. In this framework, agriculture does not exist as an isolated entity, but as part of an ecology of contexts. Agroecology draws upon basic ecological principles for its conceptual framework. Agroecologists study a variety of agroecosystems, and the field of agroecology is not associated with any one particular method ... Read more

Agro-climatic zones of Madhya Pradesh

Agro-climatic zones of Madhya Pradesh There are 11 agro-climatic zones in Madhya Pradesh. Malwa Plateau: Indore, Dhar, (Dhar, Badnawar, Sardarpur tehsils) Shajapur, Mandsour, Nimuch, Ratlam, Ujjain, Dewas Rajgarh districts and Petlawad tehsil of Jhabua district. Vindhyan Plateau: Bhopal, Vidisha, Sehore (Sehore, Ashta, Ichhawar, Narsullaganj tehsils) Raisen (Raisen, Gairatganj, Begamganj, Silwani, Goharganj, Udaipura tehsils), Damoh, Guna (Chachora & Raghogarh tehsils) & Sagar districts. 3.Central Narmada Valley : Hoshangabad (Seoni-Malwa, Hoshangabad, Sohagpur tehsils), Harda, Nasinghpur districts, Budhani and Barelli tehsil of Sehore and Raisen districts respectively. 4.Satpura Plateau:  Betul, Chhindwara districts. 5.Jhabua Hills: Jhabua, Jobat, Alirajpur tehsils of Jhabua district & kukshi ... Read more

Agro-climatic zones in India

Agro-climatic zones of india An “Agro-climatic zone” is a land unit in terms of major climates, suitable for a certain range of crops and cultivars. With the 329 million hectares of the geographical area the country presents a large number of complex agro-climatic situations. India is divided into 15 agro-climatic zones.The 15 agro-climatic zones are: Zone 1- Western Himalayan Region: Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh Zone 2 – Eastern Himalayan Region: Assam, Sikkim, West Bengal and all North-Eastern states Zone 3 – Lower Gangetic Plains Region: West Bengal Zone 4 – Middle Gangetic Plains Region: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Zone 5 ... Read more