#Pulses
Major pulses that are grown in India: tur, urad, moong, masur, peas and gram.
Chief Characteristics:
India is the largest producer as well as consumer of pulses in the world. About 20% of the pulses of the world are produced here.
These are the major sources of protein in a vegetarian diet.
Being leguminous crops, all the above-mentioned pulses (except tur) help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air. Therefore these crops are mostly grown in rotation with other crops.
Geographical Conditions of Growth:
Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions
Important Producing Areas: The major pulse producing areas are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is grown on about 11% of the total sown area in India.
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Major pulses that are grown in India: tur, urad, moong, masur, peas and gram.
Chief Characteristics:
India is the largest producer as well as consumer of pulses in the world. About 20% of the pulses of the world are produced here.
These are the major sources of protein in a vegetarian diet.
Being leguminous crops, all the above-mentioned pulses (except tur) help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air. Therefore these crops are mostly grown in rotation with other crops.
Geographical Conditions of Growth:
Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions
Important Producing Areas: The major pulse producing areas are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is grown on about 11% of the total sown area in India.
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#Barley
This is grown mainly as a dry crop.
This is the crop grown in the wheat producing area on the poor soil and in area of lower precipitation.
Although the geographical conditions required for its cultivation are similar to those for wheat, it has more tolerance for adverse environmental conditions.
Important Producing Areas: The major producers are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
#Pre_Revision
This is grown mainly as a dry crop.
This is the crop grown in the wheat producing area on the poor soil and in area of lower precipitation.
Although the geographical conditions required for its cultivation are similar to those for wheat, it has more tolerance for adverse environmental conditions.
Important Producing Areas: The major producers are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
#Pre_Revision
#Alluvial Soils
Formation: They are mainly derived from the debris brought down from the Himalayas or the silt left out by the retreating sea. Thus they are azonal soils.
Areas: Alluvial soils are widespread in the northern plains and the river valleys. Through a narrow corridor in Rajasthan, they extend into the plains of Gujarat. In the Peninsular region, they are found in deltas of the east coast and in the river valleys.
Soil texture: The alluvial soils vary in nature from sandy loam to clay. These soils are more loamy and clayey in the lower and middle Ganga plain and the Brahmaputra valley. The sand content decreases from the west to east.
Soil Colour: The colour of the alluvial soils varies from the light grey to ash grey depending on the depth of the deposition, the texture of the materials, and the time taken for attaining maturity.
Other Characteristic Features:
In the Upper and Middle Ganga plain, two different types of alluvial soils have developed, viz. Khadar and Bhangar.
Khadar: the newer alluvium deposited by floods annually, enriches the soil by depositing fine silts, light colour, found near river beds, porous in nature.Bhangar: older alluvium, clayey, darker, has lime nodules called Kankars, found in doabs (inter-fluve areas).
Alluvial soils of the northern plains —> transported soils —> therefore lack humus —> lack nitrogen [That is why we need to use nitrogenous fertilisers in the northern plains!]. Exception: the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta region is rich in humus.
These soils lack in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus. However, they are generally rich in potash and lime.
The soil profile has no stratification.
Alluvial soils are intensively cultivated.
In certain areas, these soils are covered with unproductive wind-borne soil called Loess.
Limitations:
Allow water to sink into lower strata, and
Lack nitrogen (But these soils are capable of fixing nitrogen very rapidly through leguminous crops (peas, beans, cloves etc.)
Suitable Crops: Wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, leguminous crops
#Pre_Revision
Formation: They are mainly derived from the debris brought down from the Himalayas or the silt left out by the retreating sea. Thus they are azonal soils.
Areas: Alluvial soils are widespread in the northern plains and the river valleys. Through a narrow corridor in Rajasthan, they extend into the plains of Gujarat. In the Peninsular region, they are found in deltas of the east coast and in the river valleys.
Soil texture: The alluvial soils vary in nature from sandy loam to clay. These soils are more loamy and clayey in the lower and middle Ganga plain and the Brahmaputra valley. The sand content decreases from the west to east.
Soil Colour: The colour of the alluvial soils varies from the light grey to ash grey depending on the depth of the deposition, the texture of the materials, and the time taken for attaining maturity.
Other Characteristic Features:
In the Upper and Middle Ganga plain, two different types of alluvial soils have developed, viz. Khadar and Bhangar.
Khadar: the newer alluvium deposited by floods annually, enriches the soil by depositing fine silts, light colour, found near river beds, porous in nature.Bhangar: older alluvium, clayey, darker, has lime nodules called Kankars, found in doabs (inter-fluve areas).
Alluvial soils of the northern plains —> transported soils —> therefore lack humus —> lack nitrogen [That is why we need to use nitrogenous fertilisers in the northern plains!]. Exception: the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta region is rich in humus.
These soils lack in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus. However, they are generally rich in potash and lime.
The soil profile has no stratification.
Alluvial soils are intensively cultivated.
In certain areas, these soils are covered with unproductive wind-borne soil called Loess.
Limitations:
Allow water to sink into lower strata, and
Lack nitrogen (But these soils are capable of fixing nitrogen very rapidly through leguminous crops (peas, beans, cloves etc.)
Suitable Crops: Wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, leguminous crops
#Pre_Revision
#Red and Yellow Soils
Locally called ‘Chalka’ in Andhra Pradesh.
Formation: These are derived from granites, gneisses and other metamorphic rocks —> Zonal Soils. These are formed under well-drained conditions.
Areas: Along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghat, a long stretch of area is occupied by red loamy soil. Yellow and red soils are also found in parts of Orissa and Chattisgarh and in the southern parts of the middle Ganga plain. They encircle the black cotton soil zone.
Soil Colour: The soil develops a reddish colour due to a wide diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form. Often, their upper layer is red and the lower layer is yellow.
Soil Texture: Varies from sand to clay and loam.
Other Characteristic Features:
The fine-grained red and yellow soils are normally fertile, whereas coarse-grained soils found in dry upland areas are poor in fertility.
Have a porous and friable structure.
They are generally poor in nitrogen, phosphorous and humus.
These soils are airy and need irrigation for cultivation.
Intense leaching is a menace in these soil areas.
Suitable Crops: In places where irrigation facilities are available, the crops cultivated are wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, millets, oilseeds, potato, maize, groundnut and orchards.
#Pre_Revision
Locally called ‘Chalka’ in Andhra Pradesh.
Formation: These are derived from granites, gneisses and other metamorphic rocks —> Zonal Soils. These are formed under well-drained conditions.
Areas: Along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghat, a long stretch of area is occupied by red loamy soil. Yellow and red soils are also found in parts of Orissa and Chattisgarh and in the southern parts of the middle Ganga plain. They encircle the black cotton soil zone.
Soil Colour: The soil develops a reddish colour due to a wide diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form. Often, their upper layer is red and the lower layer is yellow.
Soil Texture: Varies from sand to clay and loam.
Other Characteristic Features:
The fine-grained red and yellow soils are normally fertile, whereas coarse-grained soils found in dry upland areas are poor in fertility.
Have a porous and friable structure.
They are generally poor in nitrogen, phosphorous and humus.
These soils are airy and need irrigation for cultivation.
Intense leaching is a menace in these soil areas.
Suitable Crops: In places where irrigation facilities are available, the crops cultivated are wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, millets, oilseeds, potato, maize, groundnut and orchards.
#Pre_Revision
#Laterite Soil
The word laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘Later’ which means brick. These soils when wet are as soft as butter but become hard and cloddy on drying. Therefore, these are widely cut as bricks for use in house construction.
Formation: The lateritic soils are particularly found on high flat erosion surfaces in areas of high(>200cm) and seasonal rainfall.
The alternating wet and dry seasons lead to the leaching away of the siliceous matter of the rocks leaving behind the compounds of iron and aluminium. These are zonal soils.
Areas: These soils have mainly developed in the higher areas of the
Peninsular plateau. The laterite soils are commonly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Orissa and Assam.
Soil Colour: Reddish brown in colour due to the presence of iron oxide.
Other characteristic features:
With rain, lime and silica are leached away, and soils rich in iron oxide and aluminium compound are left behind(thus the reddish brown colour). Also, humus content of the soil is removed fast by bacteria that thrives well in high temperature.
These soils represent the end product of decomposition and are generally low in fertility.
The pebbly crust is the important feature of laterites which is formed due to alteration of wet and dry periods.
These soils are acidic in character due to leaching. Application of manures and fertilisers is required for making these soils fertile for cultivation.
These soils are poor in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium, while iron oxide and potash are in excess.
Suitable crops: Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for tree crops like cashewnut. These soils are also suitable for tea plantations.
#Pre_Revision
The word laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘Later’ which means brick. These soils when wet are as soft as butter but become hard and cloddy on drying. Therefore, these are widely cut as bricks for use in house construction.
Formation: The lateritic soils are particularly found on high flat erosion surfaces in areas of high(>200cm) and seasonal rainfall.
The alternating wet and dry seasons lead to the leaching away of the siliceous matter of the rocks leaving behind the compounds of iron and aluminium. These are zonal soils.
Areas: These soils have mainly developed in the higher areas of the
Peninsular plateau. The laterite soils are commonly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Orissa and Assam.
Soil Colour: Reddish brown in colour due to the presence of iron oxide.
Other characteristic features:
With rain, lime and silica are leached away, and soils rich in iron oxide and aluminium compound are left behind(thus the reddish brown colour). Also, humus content of the soil is removed fast by bacteria that thrives well in high temperature.
These soils represent the end product of decomposition and are generally low in fertility.
The pebbly crust is the important feature of laterites which is formed due to alteration of wet and dry periods.
These soils are acidic in character due to leaching. Application of manures and fertilisers is required for making these soils fertile for cultivation.
These soils are poor in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium, while iron oxide and potash are in excess.
Suitable crops: Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for tree crops like cashewnut. These soils are also suitable for tea plantations.
#Pre_Revision
#Chapare_Virus
The Chapare hemorrhagic fever (CHHF) is caused by the same arenavirus family that is responsible for illnesses such as the Ebola virus disease (EVD).
According to the CDC website, arenaviruses like the Chapare virus are generally carried by rats and can be transmitted through direct contact with the infected rodent, its urine and droppings, or through contact with an infected person.
The virus, which is named Chapare after the province in which it was first observed, causes a hemorrhagic fever much like Ebola along with abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding gums, skin rash and pain behind the eyes.
Viral hemorrhagic fevers are a severe and life-threatening kind of illness that can affect multiple organs and damage the walls of blood vessels.
However, not a lot is known about the mysterious Chapare virus.
Scientists believe that the virus could have been circulating in Bolivia for many years, even before it was formally documented.
Infected people may have been misdiagnosed with dengue as the mosquito-borne illness is known to cause similar symptoms
#Pre_Revision
The Chapare hemorrhagic fever (CHHF) is caused by the same arenavirus family that is responsible for illnesses such as the Ebola virus disease (EVD).
According to the CDC website, arenaviruses like the Chapare virus are generally carried by rats and can be transmitted through direct contact with the infected rodent, its urine and droppings, or through contact with an infected person.
The virus, which is named Chapare after the province in which it was first observed, causes a hemorrhagic fever much like Ebola along with abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding gums, skin rash and pain behind the eyes.
Viral hemorrhagic fevers are a severe and life-threatening kind of illness that can affect multiple organs and damage the walls of blood vessels.
However, not a lot is known about the mysterious Chapare virus.
Scientists believe that the virus could have been circulating in Bolivia for many years, even before it was formally documented.
Infected people may have been misdiagnosed with dengue as the mosquito-borne illness is known to cause similar symptoms
#Pre_Revision
#Vanadium
It is a high-value metal used in strengthening steel and titanium.
India is a significant consumer of vanadium, but is not a primary producer of the strategic metal.
It is recovered as a by-product from the slag collected from the processing of vanadiferous magnetite ores (iron ore).
India consumed 4% of about 84,000 tonnes of vanadium produced across the globe in 2017.
China, which produces 57% of the world’s vanadium, consumed 44% of the metal
#Pre_Revision
It is a high-value metal used in strengthening steel and titanium.
India is a significant consumer of vanadium, but is not a primary producer of the strategic metal.
It is recovered as a by-product from the slag collected from the processing of vanadiferous magnetite ores (iron ore).
India consumed 4% of about 84,000 tonnes of vanadium produced across the globe in 2017.
China, which produces 57% of the world’s vanadium, consumed 44% of the metal
#Pre_Revision
#Food Price Index
It is a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities.
It is prepared by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
It consists of the average of five commodity group price indices weighted by the average export shares of each of the groups over 2014-2016.
The five indices are
Cereal Price Index,
Vegetable Oil Price Index,
Dairy Price Index,
Meat Price Index,
Sugar price index.
#Pre_Revision
It is a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities.
It is prepared by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
It consists of the average of five commodity group price indices weighted by the average export shares of each of the groups over 2014-2016.
The five indices are
Cereal Price Index,
Vegetable Oil Price Index,
Dairy Price Index,
Meat Price Index,
Sugar price index.
#Pre_Revision
#Giant_Metre_wave_Radio_Telescope (GMRT)
It is an array of 30 antennas positioned in a ‘Y’ fashion, centred at Khodad village in Junnar taluka of Pune district.
Operated by the TIFR – National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), the GMRT was the brainchild of late Govind Swarup.
Extensively used for studying the universe in low frequency since 2000, the telescope has been instrumental in many path-breaking discoveries. Scientists from more than 40 countries are beneficiaries of data obtained from this telescope.
#Pre_Revision
It is an array of 30 antennas positioned in a ‘Y’ fashion, centred at Khodad village in Junnar taluka of Pune district.
Operated by the TIFR – National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), the GMRT was the brainchild of late Govind Swarup.
Extensively used for studying the universe in low frequency since 2000, the telescope has been instrumental in many path-breaking discoveries. Scientists from more than 40 countries are beneficiaries of data obtained from this telescope.
#Pre_Revision
#Sea_Sparkle_Bloom
The bloom of Noctiluca Scintillans, known as “sea sparkle” .
The bioluminescent green dinoflagellate N. Scintillans also brightened the sea water during night.
It has displaced microscopic algae called diatoms (basis of the marine food chain), which has deprived food for the planktivorous fish.
The species was found to accumulate toxic levels of ammonia.
It is then excreted into the surrounding waters, possibly acting as the killing agent in blooms.
N. Scintillans acts as both a plant and an animal.
It grazes on other micro-organisms such as larvae, fish eggs, and diatoms.
The phytoplankton that live inside it can photosynthesise, turning sunlight into energy.
#Pre_Revision
The bloom of Noctiluca Scintillans, known as “sea sparkle” .
The bioluminescent green dinoflagellate N. Scintillans also brightened the sea water during night.
It has displaced microscopic algae called diatoms (basis of the marine food chain), which has deprived food for the planktivorous fish.
The species was found to accumulate toxic levels of ammonia.
It is then excreted into the surrounding waters, possibly acting as the killing agent in blooms.
N. Scintillans acts as both a plant and an animal.
It grazes on other micro-organisms such as larvae, fish eggs, and diatoms.
The phytoplankton that live inside it can photosynthesise, turning sunlight into energy.
#Pre_Revision