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Sowing

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Since the past decades, agriculture plays a crucial role in the life of an economy. The entire world depends on agriculture for food. And so, agriculture is mainly involved in the production of basic food crops. Altogether, about 70 – 80 percent of the world’s population practices agriculture. There are certain parameters and different agricultural practices, which need to be followed for good quality and quantity of crop production.This is where the process of sowing helps.


What is Sowing?

Sowing is a process of planting seeds into the soil. During this agricultural process, proper precautions should be taken including the appropriate depth, proper distance maintained, and soil should be clean, healthy and free from disease and other pathogens including fungus. All these precautions are essential for seed germination – the process of seeds developing into new plants.


Sowing plays an important role in farming. Once after the soil is loosened and ploughed, the good, disease-free and pure quality of seeds are selected and sown into the soil.  After selecting seeds of good quality, they are sown on the prepared land. The seeds, which give high yields are usually selected and are sown by the following methods.


Methods of Sowing

There are various methods used for sowing the seeds.

  • Traditional Method

A tool is used to sow the seeds traditionally that is funnel-shaped. The funnel is filled with seeds and the seeds pass through two or three pipes with sharp ends. These ends enter into the soil and the seeds are placed there.

  • Broadcasting

In this process, the seeds are scattered on the seedbeds either mechanically or manually. In the broadcasting method of sowing, the seeds are spread uniformly and are then covered by planking. When there are a large number of seeds, the work is done using mechanical broadcasters. The seed rate is very high in this system.

  • Dibbling

Holes are made in the seedbeds and the seeds are placed in it. The seedbeds are then covered. The holes are made at definite depths. A dibbler is used for dibbling. It is a conical instrument that makes proper holes in the seedbed. This method is usually used to sow vegetables.

  • Drilling

The seeds are dropped into furrow lines in a continuous flow and are then covered with soil. This is done either mechanically or manually. The proper amount of seeds are sown at proper depths and proper spaces. Drilling can be done in the following ways:

  • Sowing behind the plough.

  • Bullock-drawn seed drills.

  • Tractor-drawn seeds drills.

  • Seed Dropping Behind the Plough

This method is commonly used in villages to sow a variety of food crops such as maize, peas, wheat, barley, and gram. Seeds are dropped in furrows behind the plough by a device known as malobansa. It comprises a bamboo tube with a funnel-shaped mouth. It needs two men to drop the seeds. One handles the bullocks and the plough and the other drops the seeds. However, this method consumes a lot of time and is labour-intensive.

  • Transplanting

In this process, the seedlings are first planted in nurseries and then planted in the prepared fields. It is usually done to grow vegetables and flowers. A transplanter is used for the purpose. But, this process is time-consuming.

  • Hill Dropping

In this method of sowing, the selected seeds are dropped at regular spaces but not in a continuous manner.

  • Check Row Planting

The seeds are planted along straight parallel furrows. A check row planter is used for the method. The row-to-row and plant-to-plant distance is uniform.


Precautions While Sowing the Seeds

There are a few necessary precautions, which need to be followed while sowing the seeds.


Listed Below are a Few of Them:

  • The seeds should be disease-free.

  • Seeds must be planted at correct distances from each other.

  • Seeds should be sown such that all the crops should get an equal amount of light, nutrients, and water.

  • Seeds should be sown at correct depths. They should neither be placed at the top of the soil so that it is blown away by wind and animals nor should it be sown too deep into the soil such that it does not germinate.

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FAQs on Sowing

1. What is sowing, as explained in the CBSE Class 8 syllabus?

Sowing is the essential agricultural practice of planting seeds into the soil after the soil has been prepared. As per the CBSE Class 8 syllabus for the 2025-26 session, it is a critical step in crop production. For successful germination—the process of a seed developing into a plant—seeds must be sown at the correct depth and distance in clean, healthy soil.

2. What are the main methods used for sowing seeds in agriculture?

There are several methods used for sowing seeds, each with its own advantages. The primary methods include:

  • Broadcasting: This involves scattering seeds over the field by hand or with a mechanical spreader. It is a quick but less precise method.
  • Dibbling: In this method, holes are made at specific depths and distances, and seeds are placed in them. It is very precise but labour-intensive.
  • Drilling: Using a tool called a seed drill, seeds are placed at a uniform depth and distance in the soil and are automatically covered.
  • Transplanting: Seedlings are first grown in a nursery and then manually planted in the main field. This is common for crops like rice and tomatoes.

3. Why is it important to sow seeds at the correct depth and distance?

Sowing seeds at the correct depth and distance is crucial for a healthy crop. If seeds are sown too deep, they may not get enough oxygen to germinate. If they are sown too shallow, they can be eaten by birds or dry out. Proper spacing between seeds prevents overcrowding and reduces competition for essential resources like sunlight, water, and soil nutrients, allowing each plant to grow well.

4. How is using a modern seed drill more advantageous than traditional broadcasting?

Using a modern seed drill offers several key advantages over the traditional broadcasting method:

  • Uniformity: It ensures seeds are sown at a consistent depth and distance, leading to a more uniform crop.
  • Protection: The drill covers the seeds with soil, protecting them from birds and pests.
  • Efficiency: It saves a significant amount of time and labour compared to manual scattering.
  • Reduced Wastage: It ensures that seeds are placed correctly, preventing the wastage that often occurs during broadcasting.

5. How does a farmer select good quality seeds before sowing?

Selecting good quality seeds is a vital step before sowing. A simple method farmers use is to put the seeds in a bucket of water. Healthy, good quality seeds are dense and will sink to the bottom. In contrast, damaged, hollow, or pest-infested seeds are lighter and will float on the surface. These floating seeds are removed, ensuring that only the viable seeds are used for sowing, which leads to a higher crop yield.

6. What is the difference between 'sowing' and 'sewing'?

Although they sound alike, 'sowing' and 'sewing' have completely different meanings. Sowing is an agricultural term for planting seeds in the earth. For instance, a farmer is sowing paddy seeds in the field. On the other hand, sewing is the craft of joining fabrics using a needle and thread. For instance, a tailor is sewing a dress.