Agriculture Questions and Answers for Competitive Exams

general agriculture questions

Q.1) After how many days of planting first earthing up in potato should be done?

[A] 20 – 25 DAS

[B] 30 – 35 DAS

[C] 40 – 45 DAS

[D] 60 – 65 DAS

[E] 75 – 80 DAS

[B] 30 – 35 DAS

 

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Earthing up potatoes is an important part of the growing process. It involves drawing mounds of soil up around the plant to prevent new tubers from growing and turning green and poisonous. Also, many times more potatoes will form from the buried stems. It also helps to prevent blight infection.

First earthing up is done 30 – 35 days after sowing and second earthing up should be done after 60 days.

 

Q.2) Based on the planning commission of India, the country can be classified in to how many Agroclimatic Zones?

[A] 15

[B] 20

[C] 21

[D] 45

[E] 127

[A] 15

• Based on Planning Commission of India, India can be classified in to 15 ACZs viz.

1. Western Himalayan region,
2. Eastern Himalayan region,
3. Lower Gangetic Plains,
4. Middle Gangetic Plains,
5. Upper Gangetic Plains,
6. Trans Gangetic Plains,
7. Eastern Plateau and Hills,
8. Central Plateau and Hills,
9. Western Plateau and Hills,
10. Southern Plateau and Hills,
11. East Coast Plains and Hills,
12. West Coast Plains and Hills,
13. Gujarat Plains and Hills,
14. Western Dry Region,
15. Islands.

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Q.3) The relationship between the inflow and outflow of water through a specified region or a country is known as

[A] Irrigation management

[B] Water management

[C] Water budget

[D] Seepage

[E] None of the above

[C] Water budget

• Water budget can be defined as the relationship between the inflow and outflow of water through a specified region or a country. It gives a comparison between the supply and demand of water, making it possible to identify periods of excess and deficit precipitation.
• Availability of water depends on various factors such as the water cycle itself, availability of surface water in lakes, rivers, aquifers, wetlands, and other water bodies and the usage of water in a region.

 

Q.4) Cropping pattern in interaction with resources, technology and environment is known as

[A] Intensive farming

[B] Multiple cropping

[C] Crop rotation

[D] Farming system

[E] Cropping system

[E] Cropping system

 

• A cropping system comprises of cropping pattern plus all components required for the production of a particular crop and the interrelationship between them and environment.
• Cropping system refers to cropping pattern as well as its interaction with resources, technology, environment etc.

 

Q.5) A postharvest spray of potato which control sprouting

[A] NAA

[B] GA

[C] Maleic Hydrazide

[D] Mancozeb

[E] None of the above

[C] Maleic Hydrazide

 

• Because of its action in plants, maleic hydrazide is used by growers to control unwanted sucker (axilliary bud) growth intobacco and to control undesired sprouting of potatoes and onions in storage.
• Source: FAO

 

Q.6) Bahar system of flower regulation is also followed in pomegranate, among three bahars which one is recommended so that bacterial blight incidence is low and fruits will be of good quality and can be exported.

[A] Ambe bahar

[B] Mrig bahar

[C] Hasta bahar

[D] Chand bahar

[E] None of the above

[C] Hasta bahar

• Among three bahars, hasta bahar is recommended as the bacterial blight incidence will be low and fruits will be good quality and are exported. Bahar treatment can also be called Resting treatment. In this method water is withhold for about 2 months in advance of normal flowering season. Plants are given a resting period by which the natural tendency of the tree is altered with artificial means.

Bahar treatment (flower regulation) flowering season

1. Ambe bahar (Jan-Feb)
2. Mrig bahar (June-July)
3. Hasta bahar (Sep-Oct)

 

Q.7) In which of the following agro-ecological zones, length of growing period is minimum?

[A] Arid ecosystem

[B] Island ecosystem

[C] Coastal ecosystem

[D] Sub humid ecosystem

[E] Semi arid ecosystem

[A] Arid ecosystem

 

Q.8) Which of the following is drought tolerant vegetable crop?

[A] Tomato

[B] Bhindi

[C] Brinjal

[D] Sweet Potato

[E] None of the above

[D] Sweet Potato

 

Drought tolerance of vegetable crops

• Highly tolerant – Watermelon, Muskmelon, Ash gourd, Sweet Potato
• Moderately tolerant – Brinjal, Chilli, Tomato, Potato
• Slightly tolerant – Leafy vegetables, Cole crops

 

Q.9) On an average, how many rainy days are considered in India in a year?

[A] 55

[B] 75

[C] 130

[D] 175

[E] 215

[C] 130

 

• There are on an average 130 rainy days in a year in the country out of which the rain during 75 days considered as effective rain. The remaining 55 days are very light and shallow which evaporates immediately without any contribution to surface or ground water recharge.

 

Q.10) The NCMRWF was established in 1988 by the Government of India as a scientific mission to develop operational Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models for forecasting weather in the medium range. NCMRWF stands for

[A] National Centre for Monthly Rainfall Weather Forecasting

[B] Numerical Calculation Centre for Monthly Rainfall Weather Forecasting

[C] National Center for Medium- Range Weather Forecasting

[D] Numerical Centre for Medium Rainfall Weather Forecasting

[E] None of the above

 

[C] National Center for Medium- Range Weather Forecasting

 

• The NCMRWF (National Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting) was established in 1988 by the Government of India as a scientific mission to develop operational Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models for forecasting weather in the medium range.

 

Q.11) Which of the following crop can be taken as ratoon crop?

[A] Banana and Plantain

[B] Pineapple

[C] Sugarcane

[D] Forage crops

[E] All of the above

[E] All of the above

 

• Perfect example of ratoon crop is sugarcane, in this method when the cane is harvested, a portion of stalk is left underground to give rise to a succeeding growth of cane, the ratoon or stubble crop. Other examples include: bananas and plantains, pineapple, forage crops, rice, sorghum, pigeon pea, and some vegetables.

Importance of the Ratoon Crop:

• Ratoon saves cost on preparatory tillage and planting material.
• It gets benefit of residual manure and moisture.
• It matures earlier.

 

Q.12) The percentage of moisture in the root zone at the permanent wilting of plants is called

[A] Wilting Coefficient

[B] Ultimate Wilting Point

[C] Critical Moisture Point

[D] A and C both

[E] None of the above

 

[D] A and C both

 

• The lower limit of available water to plants is Permanent Wilting Point.
• The percentage of moisture in root zone at the permanent wilting of plants is called Wilting Coefficient or Critical Moisture Point.
• The moisture content at which the wilting is complete, and the plants die is called Ultimate Wilting Point. At UWP, the soil moisture tension is as high as -60 bars.

 

Q.13) ‘Mango Malformation’ can be controlled by the spray of

[A] NAA

[B] GA

[C] Cycocel

[D] Lime

[E] None of the above

[A] NAA

 

• Mango malformation · It is one of the most important disorders, causing huge losses.
• Deblossoming alone or coupled with a spray of 200ppm NAA lowers the number of malformed panicles significantly.

 

Q.14) The basic principle behind crop rotation is

[A] To maintain the fertility status of soil

[B] To take higher returns per unit area of the soil

[C] To keep the weeds under control

[D] Avoiding soil borne pathogens

[E] None of the above

[A] To maintain the fertility status of soil

 

• The basic principles of crop rotations are as follows:

1. Deep rooted crops should be succeeded by shallow rooted crops such as cotton, castor, pigeon pea potato, lentil, green gram etc.
2. Leguminous crops should be succeeded by non-leguminous crops and vice versa (green gram- wheat).
3. More exhaustive crops should be followed by less exhaustive/restorative crops.
4. The crop of the same family should not be grown in succession because they act like alternate hosts for pests and diseases.

 

Q.15) The PTO horsepower is the amount of horsepower available for running implements with the tractor, like for example a bush hog. The PTO hp is around ______percent of tractor engine power (PTO-Power takenoff).

[A] 20 – 25%

[B] 35 – 40%

[C] 45 – 50%

[D] 70 – 75%

[E] 80 – 85%

[E] 80 – 85%

 

Power take-off horse power (PTO HP)

• The PTO horsepower is the amount of horsepower available for running implements with the tractor, like for example a bush hog.
• Most of the tractors have a Power Take Off Shaft, which is what connects to the implements to power them.
• Because the shaft draws power from the engine, the PTO horsepower indicates how much power is available to run various implements.
• The PTO hp is around 80-85% of tractor engine power (PTO-Power take off)

 

Q.16) International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth jointly developed a high-iron variety of pearl millet, called

[A] Shivaji

[B] Phule Bajra 12

[C] Karmshakti

[D] Dhanshakti

[E] None of the above

 

[D] Dhanshakti

 

• International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth jointly developed a high-iron variety of pearl millet, called Dhanashakti, which was released in 2012 in Maharashtra and later in 2013 across India, making it the first mineral biofortified product of any crop cultivar released in India

 

 

Q.17) Citrus canker is a disease caused by

[A] Pseudomonas citri

[B] Agrobacterium citri

[C] Xanthomonas citri

[D] Fusarium oxysporum

[E] None of the above

 

[C] Xanthomonas citri

 

• Citrus canker, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, affects the leaves, twigs and fruit of citrus plants causing the leaves to drop and unripe fruit to fall to the ground. All types of citrus are affected by the disease. Citrus canker is most severe in hot, wet areas

 

Q.18) Who is famous as founder/father of Biodynamic agriculture?

[A] Albert Howard

[B] M S Swaminathan

[C] Norman E Borloug

[D] Rudolf Steiner

[E] None of the above

[D] Rudolf Steiner

• Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food, and nutrition. Biodynamics is rooted in the work of philosopher and scientist Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). Rudolf Steiner, founder of “anthroposophic agriculture”, later known as “biodynamic”.
• Steiner defined Anthroposophy as “A path of knowledge whose objective is to guide the spiritual in man to the spiritual in the universe”. The word “Anthroposophy” comes from the Greek language and means “wisdom of the human being”.

 

Q.19) A type of commercial farming in which single crop is grown on a large area using capital intensive inputs with a major intention of export

[A] Agroforestry

[B] Plantations

[C] Ranching

[D] Mixed farming

[E] None of the above

[B] Plantations

 

• Plantation is a type of commercial farming. In this type of farming, a single crop is grown on a large area. The plantation also includes the processing of that crop in the nearby industries. Examples: In India, tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana, etc. are important plantation crops.
• Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence.
• Ranching is the practice of raising and breeding animals on large pieces of land. Cows and sheep are the most common animal found on ranches.
• Mixed farming is an agricultural system in which a farmer conducts different agricultural practice together, such as cash crops and livestock. The aim is to increase income through different sources and to complement land and labour demands across the year.

 

Q.20) Which of the following is coloured seedless variety of grapes?

[A] Beauty seedless

[B] Muscat

[C] Banglore blue

[D] Beauty seedless

[E] None of the above

[D] Beauty seedless

 

• Grapes –
• Seeded varieties: Anab – e – Shahi, Banglore Blue, Bhokri, Gulabi, Kali Sahebi.
• Seedless varieties: Perlette, Thompson seedless, Sharad seedless, beauty seedless

 

Q.21) North east monsoon in India occur in the months of

[A] June to September

[B] October to December

[C] January to March

[D] April to June

[E] May to July

[B] October to December

 

• North east Monsoon – October to December

 

Q.22) Which of the following is true regarding in functional allelopathy:

[A] A precursor is released which is further converted into active substance by some microorganisms

[B] Toxic substances are released as such from the plant

[C] No substance is released

[D] A precursor is released which is further converted into active substance by moisture in soil

[E] None of the above

 

[A] A precursor is released which is further converted into active substance by some microorganisms

 

• Allelopathy refers to chemicals released in to the environment where they affect the development and growth of neighbouring plants.

There are two types of allelopathy –

1. True Allelopathy – release of substances that are toxic in the form in which they are produced in the plant.
2. Functional Allelopathy – release of substances that are toxic as a result of transformation by micro-organism.

 

Q.23) Which of the following method of irrigation is useful to leach salts from soil profile?

[A] Drip irrigation

[B] Check basin irrigation

[C] Furrow irrigation

[D] Sprinkler irrigation

[E] None of the above

[B] Check basin irrigation

 

Check basin irrigation

• In this method the land to be irrigated is divided into small plots or basins surrounded by checks, levees ( low bunds). The irrigation water is applied by filling the plots with water up to the desired depth without overtopping the levees and the water retained there is allowed to infiltrate into the soil.
• Basin irrigation is suitable for many field crops. Paddy rice grows best when its roots are submerged in water and so basin irrigation is the best method for use with the crop. Also it is suitable for closely spaced crops like maize, pearl millet, groundnut etc.
• Check basins are useful when leaching is required to remove salts from the soil profile.
• Not suitable for crops which are sensitive to wet soil conditions around the stem

 

Q.24) Which of the following is used as biofuel for blending with petrol?

[A] Bioethanol

[B] Biodiesel

[C] Biogas

[D] Biobutanol

[E] None of the above

[A] Bioethanol

 

• Bioethanol (or ethanol or ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH)) is an alcohol produced from starch and sugar crops.
• It is commonly blended with petrol.
• It is biodegradable, low in toxicity and causes little environmental pollution.
• Ethanol is a high-octane fuel and has replaced lead as an octane enhancer in petrol.
• By blending ethanol with gasoline, we can also oxygenate the fuel mixture, so it burns more completely and reduces polluting emissions.

 

Q.25) Which of the following fruit/vegetable crop is highly sensitive to acidity in soil?

[A] Strawberry

[B] Potato

[C] Fig

[D] Onion

[E] Litchi

[D] Onion

 

Relative acid tolerance

• Highly tolerant – Strawberry, Raspberry, Fig, Bael, Plum, Potato, Sweet potato, Rhubarb
• Medium tolerant – Pineapple, Avocado, Litchi, Brinjal, Tomato, Chilli, Radish, Carrot, Summer squash
• Highly sensitive – Okra, Onion, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Musk melon

 

Q.26) Among various types of farming systems followed in India, Permaculture, Bio dynamic agriculture and natural farming are covered under______ Farming system.

[A] Subsistence Farming System

[B] Conventional Farming System

[C] Alternative Farming System

[D] Specialized Farming System

[E] Integrated Farming System

[C] Alternative Farming System

 

• Conventional farming, also known as industrial agriculture, refers to farming systems which include the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other continual inputs, genetically modified organisms, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, heavy irrigation, intensive tillage, or concentrated monoculture production.
• Subsistence farming is a form of farming in which nearly all of the crops or livestock raised are used to maintain the farmer and farmer’s family, leaving little, if any, surplus for sale of trade.
• Alternative farming system – The term ‘Alternative agriculture ‘ as it applies to the area of agriculture can be defined as ‘A systematic approach to farming intended to reduce agricultural pollution, enhance sustainability, and improve efficiency and profitability. Types of alternative farming include Organic farming, Natural farming, Permaculture, Bio dynamic agriculture, Agro ecological farming and Bio intensive farming system.
• Specialised farming refers to only one kind of farm business such as raising food crops or rearing sheep or raising dairy cattle. Raising two to three crops makes it specialized. The motive behind specialised farming is profit.
• Integrated Farming System (IFS) is an interdependent, interrelated often interlocking production systems based on few crops, animals and related subsidiary enterprises in such a way that maximize the utilization of nutrients of each system and minimize the negative effect of these enterprises on environment.

 

Q.27) In animal – Hormones, Enzymes and Antibiotics are used as____

[A] Concentrates

[B] Roughages

[C] Mineral supplements

[D] Feed additives

[E] Vitamin supplements

[D] Feed additives

 

• Feed additives are the non-nutritive substances usually added to basal feed in small quantity for the fortification in order to improve feed efficiency and productive performance of the animals.

Some commonly used feed additives are as below

• Antibiotics Examples: Terramycin, Zinc bacitracin, Flavomycin etc.
• Enzymes Examples: Amylase, lipase, protease, pepsin etc.
• Hormones Examples: Estrogen, progesterone, hexosterol etc.
• Thyroprotein Examples: Iodinated casein.
• Probiotics Examples: Microbial species. Lactobacillus.

 

Q.28) The rotation intensity of Maize – Wheat + Chickpea – Moong is

[A] 200%

[B] 250%

[C] 300%

[D] 400%

[E] All of the above

[C] 300%

 

• This is calculated by counting the number of crops grown in a rotation and is multiplied by 100 and then divided by the duration of rotation
• Crop rotation intensity = 3/1 x 100 = 300%

 

Q.29) Which of the following vegetables has very high respiration rate?

[A] Potato

[B] Onion

[C] Sweet potato

[D] Chilli

[E] Leafy greens

[E] Leafy greens

 

Respiration rate of vegetable crops

• Very low – Potato, Onion Low – Sweet potato, Cabbage
• Moderate – Chilli, Carrot, Tomato
• High – Peas and Beans
• Very high – Leafy greens, Muskmelon, Watermelon, Cauliflower, Asparagus, Broccoli

 

Q.30) Which of the following is true regarding sprinkler irrigation

[A] Suitable for undulating topography and sandy soils

[B] Saving of water from 25-50% for different crops

[C] Discharge rate is more than 1000 lit/hr

[D] Sprinkler pressure 2.5-4.5 kg/cm2

[E] All of the above

 

[E] All of the above

 

• Suitable for undulating topography and sandy soils.
• Saving of water from 25-50% for different crops.
• Discharge rate is more than 1000 lit/hr.
• Sprinkler pressure 2.5-4.5 kg/cm
• Water use efficiency can be as high as 60% much higher to surface method of irrigation.
• Increase 40% in irrigated area with same amount of water as compared with surface method of irrigation
• About 40-60% saving in labour compared with surface.
• It can be used to protect crops against frost and high temperatures

 

Q.31) Deficiency of Vitamin B complex in poultry birds may cause

[A] Curled toe paralysis

[B] Loss of weight

[C] Dropping of wings

[D] Paralysis of muscles

[E] All of the above

[E] All of the above

 

Vitamin B Complex

• The B vitamins include vitamin thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid, and cyanocobalamin.
• The B vitamins are involved in many metabolic functions, including energy metabolism. A vitamin premix is typically used to compensate for the fluctuating levels of vitaminsfound naturally in food and to assure adequate levels of all vitamins.
• Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is necessary for proper carbohydrate metabolism. The deficient birds show anorexia, loss of weight, ruffled feathers, dropping of wings and paralysis of muscles.
• The birds sit on flexed legs and draw back the head in a ‘star-gazing’ position. It is found in abundance in rice polish, wheat bran and cereal grains.
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is part of enzyme systems so plays a vital role in metabolism. The deficiency causes diarrhoea and “curled toe paralysis” in birds between the first and second week of age.
• The affected birds walk upon their hocks with the aid of their wings. In adult birds, decreased egg production, increased embryonic mortality and dead in shell chicks, with dwarfing and clubbing down feathers are seen.
• Embryo mortality reaches a peak between 18 to 20 days of incubation. Grasses and brewer’s yeast are rich source of this vitamin.
• Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) is necessary for proper metabolism of amino acids. Due to deficiency, spasmodic convulsions and jerky movements are seen in sick birds. The bird should be fed cereal grains, yeast and alfalfa meal.
• Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) is involved with nucleic acid synthesis, carbohydrate and fat metabolism and methyl synthesis. This is found in all foods of animal origin.
• Its deficiency shows slowed growth, poor feed utilisation and reduced hatchability. Embryonic mortality reaches peak on the 17th day of incubation.
• Myotrophy of legs and haemorrhages in the allantois of the embryo may be seen. Fish meal, milk products and animal proteins are sources of vitamin B12

 

Q.32) The operation which is done to control pollination and avoid unwanted cross breeding in maize is known as

[A] Silking

[B] Tasseling

[C] Detasseling

[D] Scuffing

[E] None of the above

[C] Detasseling

 

• Detasseling corn is removing the immature pollen-producing bodies, the tassel, from the tops of corn plants and placing them on the ground.
• It is a form of pollination control, employed to crossbreed, or hybridize, two varieties of corn. Fields of corn that will be detasseled are planted with two varieties of corn.

 

Q.33) An interdependent, interrelated often interlocking production systems based on few crops, animals and related subsidiary enterprises in such a way that maximize the utilization of nutrients of each system and minimize the negative effect of these enterprises on environment is known as

[A] Specialized Farming System

[B] Organic Farming System

[C] Integrated Farming System

[D] Carbon/Biomass Farming

[E] None of the above

[C] Integrated Farming System

 

• Specialised Farming refers to only one kind of farm business such as raising food crops or rearing sheep or raising dairy cattle. Raising two to three crops makes it specialized. The motive behind specialised farming is profit.
• Integrated Farming System (IFS) is an interdependent, interrelated often interlocking production systems based on few crops, animals and related subsidiary enterprises in such a way that maximize the utilization of nutrients of each system and minimize the negative effect of these enterprises on environment.
• Carbon farming promotes sustainable soil fertility by focusing on growing crops that produce a large amount of carbonaceous material (mature material) for composting. A farmer in tune with producing enough mature compost material will grow these crops in at least 60% of the cultivated area.
• Organic Farming is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes (biofertilizers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco-friendly pollution free environment.

 

Q.34) On the basis of ontogenic classification, which of the following is example of perennial vegetable?

[A] Water melon

[B] Bottle gourd

[C] Bitter gourd

[D] Pointed gourd

[E] All of the above

[D] Pointed gourd

 

• The plants having a life cycle of more than two seasons or a year are known as perennial crops. Examples of perennial vegetables are Asparagus, Artichoke, Chow chow, Moringa, Ivy guard, Pointed gourd, Spine gourd.

 

Q.35) Zebra marking is a predominant feature of

[A] New Castle disease

[B] Bird flu

[C] Infectious Brucellosis

[D] Rinderpest

[E] All of the above

[D] Rinderpest

 

• Rinderpest – also known as cattle plague – was a disease caused by the rinderpest virus which primarily infected cattle and buffalo. Infected animals suffered from symptoms such as fever, wounds in the mouth, diarrheas’, discharge from the nose and eyes, and eventually death.
• In the large intestine, ileo caecal valve may be markedly swollen
• Linear hemorrhages on the folds of mucosa of rectum appear like ‘Zebra marking’ which is pathognomonic in Rinderpest
• Lesions are more severe in large intestine with ulceration and diphtheritic patches
• Liver: Chronic passive congestion resulting from cardiac and pulmonary complications

 

Q.36) National Institute of Solar energy is located in

[A] Gurugram

[B] New Delhi

[C] Bhopal

[D] Dehradun

[E] None of the above

 

[A] Gurugram

 

National Institute of Solar Energy(NISE):

• National Institute of Solar Energy, an autonomous institution of Ministry of New and Renewable (MNRE), is the apex National R&D institution in the field Solar Energy.
• The Government of India has converted 25-year-old Solar Energy Centre (SEC) under MNRE to an autonomous institution in September 2013 to assist the Ministry in implementing the National Solar Mission and to coordinate research, technology, skill development, training, consultancy, incubation and other related works.
• NISE is located in Gurugram, Haryana

 

Q.37) Which of the following is correct arrangement of types of silk produced in India from higher to lower quantity of total annual production?

[A] Mulberry > Tasar > Muga > Eri

[B] Mulberry > Tasar > Eri > Muga

[C] Mulberry > Eri > Tasar > Muga

[D] Mulberry > Eri > Muga > Tasar

[E] None of the above

 

[B] Mulberry > Tasar > Eri > Muga

 

According to ministry of textiles, data of 2018 – 19.

• Mulberry accounts for 71.50 per cent (25,213 MT), Tussar 8.44 per cent (2,977 MT), Eri 19.40 per cent (6,839 MT) and Muga 0.66 per cent (232 MT) of the provisional total raw silk production of 35,261 MT.
• Source: Ministry of textiles

 

Q.38) Waxing is useful post-harvest operation used for fruits as it prolong storage life by

[A] Helping in reduction of moisture loss from fruits

[B] Reducing transpiration rate

[C] Preventing microbial spoilage

[D] A and B only

[E] None of the above

 

[D] A and B only

 

• It is used as protective coating for fruits and vegetables and help in reduction in loss in moisture and rate of respiration and ultimately results in prolonged storage life.
• Waxing generally reduces the respiration and transpiration rates, but other chemicals such as fungicides, growth regulators, preservative can also be incorporated specially for reducing microbial spoilage, sprout inhibition etc.
• However, it should be remembered that waxing does not improve the quality of any inferior horticulture product but it can be a beneficial adjunct to good handling.

 

Q.39) Wallowing is a common practice in

[A] Cattle

[B] Buffalo

[C] Sheep

[D] Goat

[E] Camel

 

[B] Buffalo

 

• Wallowing is common practice in water buffaloes.
• Wallowing in animals is a comfort behaviour during which an animal rolls its body about in mud, water or snow. Some definitions include rolling about in dust, however, in ethology this is usually referred to as dust bathing.
• In case of buffalo, it likes to wallow in mud water in hot sunny days.

 

Q.40) Discharge rate of water per dripper is generally 1-8 lit/hr at ______kg/cm2 pressure

[A] 1.5 – 2.5

[B] 4.5 – 5.0

[C] 6.0 – 7.5

[D] 8 – 10

[E] None of the above

 

[A] 1.5 – 2.5

 

Advantages of drip irrigation

• Suitable for water scarcity area water saving 50-70% as compare to surface.
• Fertilizer or other chemical amendment can be efficiently applied to individual or separate plants.
• Discharge rate of water per dripper is generally 1-8 lit/hr. at 1.5-2.5 kg/cm2 pressure.
• Most suitable for widely spaced crops, orchard trees and in green houses (protected cultivation of vegetables & flowers).

 

Q.41) Which of the following statement is not correct?

[A] Assam is the largest producer of raw silk in India

[B] Aviculture is the rearing of honeybee

[C] Viticulture is the study of vitamins and minerals

[D] Drones are sterile male honey bees

[E] None of the above is correct

 

[E] None of the above is correct

 

• None of the above statements are correct. correct statements are :

1. Karnataka is the largest producer of raw silk in India
2. Aviculture is rearing of birds
3. Viticulture is cultivation of grape vines
4. Drones are fertile male honeybees which are used to fertilize queen

 

Q.42) Which of the following is not a principle of organic farming?

[A] The principle of Health

[B] The principle of Ecology

[C] The Principle of Fairness

[D] The Principle of Care

[E] The Principle of Trust

 

[E] The Principle of Trust

 

Principles of Organic Farming are:

1. Principle of Health – Organic agriculture is intended to produce high quality, nutritious food that contributes to preventive health care and well-being. In view of this it should avoid the use of fertilizers, pesticides, animal drugs and food additives that may have adverse health effects.
2. Principle of Ecology – This principle roots organic agriculture within living ecological systems. It states that production is to be based on ecological processes, and recycling. Nourishment and well-being are achieved through the ecology of the specific production environment
3. Principle of Fairness – Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities. Fairness is characterized by equity, respect, justice and stewardship of the shared world, both among people and in their relations to other living beings.
4. Principle of Care – Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.

 

Q.43) Which method is used in disinfection treatment, control of fruit fly on citrus, mango and seed weevil and papaya fruit fly? This method is also used to control sprouting and prevent rotting of onion, garlic and potato during storage.

[A] Precooling

[B] Waxing

[C] Curing

[D] Irradiation

[E] Dehydration

 

[D] Irradiation

 

Irradiation

• It is the newer technologies that can be gainfully employed during storage to reduce post-harvest losses and extend storage life of fruits and vegetable.
• When fruits and vegetables expose to ionizing radiation (such as gamma-rays) at optimum dosage delays ripening minimizes insect infestation, retards microbial spoilages, control sprouting, and rotting of onion, garlic and potato during storage.
• It is also used as a disinfection treatment and controls fruit fly on citrus, mango seed weevil and papaya fruit fly.

 

Q.44) ‘Seed dresser’ is an implement used for

[A] Sowing seeds at proper spacing

[B] Harvesting of crops

[C] Making furrows for sowing seeds

[D] Treating seeds with chemicals

[E] None of the above

 

[D] Treating seeds with chemicals

 

• Seed dressing is the most common method of seed treatment.
• The seed is dressed with either a dry formulation or wet treated with a slurry or liquid formulation. Dressings can be applied at both farm and industries. Low cost earthen pots can be used for mixing pesticides with seed or seed can be spread on a polythene sheet and required quantity of chemical can be sprinkled on seed lot and mixed mechanically by the farmers.

 

Q.45) How many number of turnings are done in compost making for button mushroom?

[A] Three

[B] Five

[C] Eight

[D] Ten

[E] Twelve

 

[C] Eight

 

• Eight turnings are done for making button mushroom compost. Schedule is as follows:

1. First turning on 6 days
2. Second turning on 10 days
3. Third on 13 days
4. Fourth on 16 days
5. Fifth on 19 days
6. Sixth on 22 days
7. Seventh on 25 days
8. Eight on 28 days

 

Q.46) Which of the following chemical is used for dehorning of animals?

[A] NaOH

[B] Oxalic acid

[C] NaCl

[D] Caustic potash

[E] None of the above

 

[D] Caustic potash

 

Dehorning or Disbudding

• Dehorning of horned cattle is the process of removal of their horns or the process of preventing their growth.
• The horns are best removed when still buds (buttons) on the animal which is less than one week old. This is called disbudding.
• Disbudding is carried out either by the use of hot iron, caustic potash sticks and electrical dehorning cone. Both the buds are destroyed at the early age (within 3 to 10 days)

 

Q.47) Who is often regarded as father of precision farming?

[A] Albert Howard

[B] Rudolf Steiner

[C] Pierre Robert

[D] Subhash Palekar

[E] None of the above

 

[C] Pierre Robert

 

• Precision Agriculture (PA), Satellite Farming or Site-Specific Crop Management (SSCM) can be described as ‘a technologyenabled approach to farming management that observes, measures, and analyzes the needs of individual fields and crops.’
• Pierre Robert is often regarded as the father of precision farming because of his active promotion of the idea and organization of the first workshop, “Soil-Specific Crop Management,” during the early 1990s

 

Q.48) Type of credit which is given to farmers for the purchase of pump sets, farm machinery and implements or dairy animals for a tenure of 2 to 5 years is known as

[A] Short term credit

[B] Medium term credit

[C] Long term credit

[D] Chattel Credit

[E] None of the above

 

[B] Medium-term credit

 

• Short-Term Credit It is given to farmers for periods ranging from 6 to 18 months and is primarily meant to meet cultivation expenses viz., purchase of seed, fertilizer, pesticides, and payment of wages to labourers. It serves as the working capital to operate the farm efficiently and is expected to be repaid at the time of harvesting / marketing of crops. It. should be repaid in one instalment.
• Medium-Term Credit Repayment is for the period of 2 to 5 years, it is for the purchase of pump-sets, farm machineries and implements, bullocks, dairy animals and to carry out minor improvement in the farm. It can be repaid either in half yearly or annual instalments.
• Long-Term Credit It is advanced for periods more than 5 years and extends even unto twenty-five years against mortgage of immovable property for undertaking development works viz., sinking wells, purchase of tractor, and ranking permanent improvements in the farm. It has to be repaid in half-yearly or annual instalments.
• Collateral Credit or Chattel Credit It is given against the security of livestock, crop, or warehouse receipt.

 

Q.49) Purpose of Bromothynol test in milk is to detect ________

[A] Fat percentage

[B] SNF percentage

[C] Acidity

[D] Mastitis infection

[E] None of the above

 

[D] Mastitis infection

 

• A simple bromothymol blue indicator test was evaluated for farm diagnosis of mastitis. The test can be used by dairy producers to screen herds with a relatively high incidence of mastitis or used in combination with cow cell counts to locate abnormal quarters.

 

Q.50) In Interest subvention schemes, Crop loans upto Rs 3 lakh are provided at a concessional interest rate of 7% per annum. further Prompt Repayment Incentive of ___% is also provided.

[A] 1%

[B] 2%

[C] 3%

[D] 4%

[E] 5%

 

[C] 3%

• In Interest subvention schemes, Crop loans upto Rs 3 lakh are provided at a concessional interest rate of 7% per annum. further Prompt Repayment Incentive of 3% is also provided, thereby making it an effective interest rate of 4% per annum.

 

Q.51) Per capita annual income in rural areas of India is Rs. _______ as compared to Rs. 1,01,313 for urban areas.

[A] 40,772

[B] 1,26,521

[C] 94,954

[D] 1,34,226

[E] 1,53,450

 

[A] 40,772

• Per capita income, also known as income per person, is the mean income of the people in an economic unit such as a country, state or District. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate (such as GDP or Gross national income) and dividing it by the total population of country, state or District.
• The per capita income for 2011-12 in the country for urban areas was Rs.1,01,313 and for rural areas it was Rs 40,772.

 

Q.52) Which of the following is Class I preservative?

[A] Salt

[B] Sugar

[C] Vinegar

[D] Oil

[E] All of the above

 

[E] All of the above

• Class I preservatives: Class1 preservative broadly include naturally occuring substances and there is no maximum limit specified under law for their use. The common examples of class I preservative are common salt, sugar, dextrose, glucose syrup, spices, vinegar or acetic acid, honey and edible vegetable oils.
• Class II preservatives: include chemical preservatives like sodium benzoate, sodium meta-sulphide

 

Q.53) Bhakra Nangal Project is India’s biggest, multipurpose river valley project comprises a straight gravity dam. It is a Joint project of ________

[A] Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan

[B] Haryana, Punjab and Himanchal Pradesh

[C] Haryana, Punjab and Delhi

[D] Haryana, Punjab and Uttarakhand

[E] None of the above

 

[A] Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan

 

• Bhakra Nangal Project (Joint project of Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan): India’s biggest, multipurpose river valley project comprises a straight gravity dam across the Sutlej river at Bhakra, the Nangal dam, the Nangal hydel channel, two power houses at Bhakra dam and two power stations at Ganguwal and Kotla.

Some other projects are:

• Bhima Project (Maharashtra): Comprises two dams, one on the Pawana river near Phagne in Pune district and the other across the Krishna river near Ujjaini in Sholapur district
• Bargi Project (Madhya Pradesh): It is a multipurpose project consisting of a masonry dam across Bargi river in the Jabalpur district and a left bank canal.
• Beas Project (Joint venture of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan): It consists of Beas-Sutlej Link and Beas Dam at Pong.
• Bhadra Project (Karnataka): A multipurpose project across the river Bhadra.
• Chambal Project (Joint project of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan): The project comprises Gandhi Sagar dam, Rana Pratap Sagar dam and jawahar Sagar dam.
• Damodar Valley Project (West Bengal and Bihar): A multipurpose project for the unified development of irrigation, flood control and power generation in West Bengal and Bihar

 

Q.54) Which of the following is causal agent of bird flu?

[A] Avian adenovirus

[B] Avian leucosis virus

[C] Avian poxovirus

[D] Avian influenza virus

[E] None of the above

 

[D] Avian influenza virus

 

Avian influenza (Bird flu)

• Avian Influenza(HPAI) is a highly lethal systemic disease affecting vast majority of birds.
• It is caused by the Influenza Type A virus. H5N1 causes bird flu. Because of the zoonotic as well as pandemic potential, the disease gained much public health importance.
• Water birds and migratory birds, ducks act as carriers and spread the infection. Bird flu is highlycontagious among birds and also effects ducks, and turkeys.
• Sudden, heavy and unusual mortality reaching almost 100% without any clinical signs. Combs and wattles are cyanotic and oedematous, and may have petechial or ecchymotic hemorrhages at their tips. Profuse watery diarrhoea is frequently present and birds are excessively thirsty.
• Respiration may be laboured. Hemorrhages may occur on unfeather areas of skin. The mortality rate varies from 50 to 100%

 

Q.55) June drop of apple occurs due to

[A] Lack of pollination

[B] Moisture stress

[C] Development of abscission layer

[D] Formation of Ethylene

[E] None of the above

 

[B] Moisture stress

 

Fruit drop in apple:

• Early fruit drop – due to lack of pollination;
• June drop – due to moisture stress;
• Pre harvest drop – due to development of abscisic layer, formation of Ethylene

 

Q.56) The type of interaction between two species in which one species derive benefit while other remain unaffected is

[A] Commensalism

[B] Mutualism

[C] Proto cooperation

[D] Competition

[E] Predation

 

[A] Commensalism

 

• Commensalism In this one species derives the benefits while the other is unaffected.

Examples:

• (i) Cellulolytic fungi produce a number of organic acids from cellulose which serve as carbon sources for non-cellulolytic bacteria and fungi.
• (ii) Growth factors are synthesized by certain microorganisms and their excretion permits the proliferation of nutritionally complex soil inhabitants

 

Q.57) Training for Rural Youth for Self-Employment (TRYSEM) was launched in the year________

 

[A] 1984

[B] 1979

[C] 1967

[D] 1958

[E] 1966

 

[B] 1979

• The scheme – TRYSEM was launched in 1979 and it aimed at providing basic technical and entrepreneurial skill to the rural poor in the age group of 18-35 years enable them take up income generating activities (self/wage employment).
• It had been laid down that the coverage of youth from SC/ST communities should be at least 50% of rural youth trained.
• Out of the total beneficiaries, at least 50% should be women.
• The scheme had been merged into Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) with Integrated Rural Development

Program (IRDP), Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) etc. from April, 1999.

 

Q.58) Which banana variety contributes to 58% of total banana production in India?

 

[A] Dwarf cavendish

[B] Robusta

[C] Grand Naine

[D] Rasthali

[E] None of the above

 

[A] Dwarf cavendish

 

 

Q.59) Green house effect means

 

[A] Afforestation in desert areas

[B] Excess Carbon di oxide released from plants

[C] When green house gases are trapped in environment and cause rise in temperature

[D] Building a new green house

[E] None of the above

 

[C] When greenhouse gases are trapped in environment and cause rise in temperature

 

• The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and reradiated by greenhouse gases.
• Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and some artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
• The process is called the greenhouse effect because the exchange of incoming and outgoing radiation that warms the planet works in a similar way to a greenhouse.

 

Q.60) Mandarin orange: The group of orange is otherwise called Kamala orange. Nagpur santra of Maharashtra, Coorg of Karnataka and Kodai orange of Tamil Nadu. This group is characterized by the loose skin of fruits. Botanically mandarin oranges are

 

[A] Citrus sinensis

[B] Citrus aurantium

[C] Citrus paradisi

[D] Citrus reticulata

[E] Citrus multifolia

 

[D] Citrus reticulata

 

• Sweet orange: Citrus sinensis
• Sour orange: Citrus aurantium
• Multiple leaf orange: C. multifolia
• Pummelo: C. grandis
• Grapefruit: C. paradise
• Mandrin orange– Citrus reticulata

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