Agronomy Important Questions Answer For IBPS AFO, NABARD

Important Agronomy Questions For IBPS AFO, NABARD RRB SO & other Agri exams

1. What is the very broad term encompassing all aspects of crop production, livestock farming, fisheries, forestry, etc.?

 Ans: Agriculture

 Explanation: Agriculture encompasses all activities related to cultivating land, raising crops, and rearing animals for various purposes, including food production, fiber, fuel, and more.

2. From which language is the word “Agriculture” derived?

 Ans: Latin word (agri+culture)

 Explanation: The term “Agriculture” is derived from the Latin words “agri” meaning field or land, and “culture” meaning cultivation or tending.

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3. What branch of agricultural science deals with principles and practices of soil, water, and crop management?

 Ans: Agronomy

 Explanation: Agronomy is a branch of agricultural science that focuses on soil management, water usage, and crop cultivation techniques to optimize crop production.

4. From which language is the word “Agronomy” derived?

 Ans: Greek (agros+nomos)

 Explanation: The term “Agronomy” is derived from the Greek words “agros” meaning field or land, and “nomos” meaning law or management.

5. What are crops that are cultivated on plowed land called?

 Ans: Arable crops

 Explanation: Arable crops are crops cultivated on plowed land that is suitable for cultivation, such as grains, vegetables, and fruits.

6. What agroforestry practice involves growing perennial, preferably leguminous trees or shrubs simultaneously with arable crops?

 Ans: Alley crops or hedgerow intercrops

 Explanation: Alley cropping, also known as hedgerow intercropping, involves planting rows of trees or shrubs alongside rows of crops. This practice helps improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and provide additional income from tree products.

7. What are crops grown to supplement the yield of the main crops?

 Ans: Augment Crops

 Explanation: Augment crops are secondary crops grown alongside main crops to enhance overall yield or provide additional benefits such as pest control or soil improvement.

8. Which crops protect another crop from trespassing of animals or restrict the speed of wind and are mainly grown as a border?

 Ans: Border/Guard Crops

 Explanation: Border or guard crops are planted around the perimeter of a field to protect the main crop from damage by animals or wind. They act as a barrier or windbreak.

9. What are crops grown for direct sale rather than for livestock feed or personal use?

 Ans: Cash Crops

 Explanation: Cash crops are cultivated primarily for sale in the market rather than for consumption by the farmer or as feed for livestock. They are grown for profit.

10. Name two major commercial crops.

 Ans: (i) Cotton (ii) Sugarcane

 Explanation: Cotton and sugarcane are major commercial crops grown on a large scale for their fiber and sugar content, respectively. They are significant contributors to the agricultural economy.

11. What are crops cultivated to catch the forthcoming season when the main crop fails?

 Ans: Catch/Contingent Crops

 Explanation: Catch or contingent crops are cultivated as a backup plan in case the main crop fails due to unfavorable conditions. They are sown to utilize the remaining growing season effectively.

12. What is a close-growing crop grown primarily to improve and protect the soil from erosion?

 Ans: Cover Crops

 Explanation: Cover crops are planted primarily to protect and improve soil health by preventing erosion, suppressing weeds, and adding organic matter when incorporated into the soil.

13. When both the main and intercrop benefit each other, what are they called?

 Ans: Complementary Crops

 Explanation: Complementary crops are grown together in a mutually beneficial relationship where each crop enhances the growth and yield of the other through complementary effects.

14. What are crops that leave the field exhaustive after growing?

 Ans: Exhaustive Crops

 Explanation: Exhaustive crops deplete soil nutrients and degrade soil health over time, leaving the field less fertile and productive after cultivation. Examples include tobacco and certain vegetables.

15. What term refers to any crop or combination of crops grown for grazing or harvesting for immediate or future feeding to livestock?

 Ans: Ley Crops

 Explanation: Ley crops are crops grown primarily for grazing or forage to feed livestock. They are often used in crop rotation systems to improve soil fertility and structure.

16. What crops are grown to conserve soil moisture through their ground-covering foliage?

 Ans: Mulch Crops

 Explanation: Mulch crops are planted to provide ground cover and reduce soil moisture loss through evaporation. Their foliage acts as a natural mulch, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weed growth.

17. What term refers to the practice of sowing the seed of succeeding crops broadcast at 10 to 15 days before harvesting rice crop?

 Ans: Paira/Utera Crops

 Explanation: Paira or urea crops are sown shortly before harvesting the main crop, such as rice, to utilize the residual soil moisture and maximize land productivity in the subsequent season.

18. In dryland areas, what is done to conserve soil moisture, typically involving removing the third row of crops or growing crops in pair rows with the third row left untouched?

 Ans: Paired row Crops

 Explanation: Paired row cropping involves planting crops in pairs with a wider spacing between pairs to conserve soil moisture and optimize water use efficiency in dryland agriculture.

19. What are crops that are neither complementary nor competitive?

 Ans: Supplementary Crops

 Explanation: Supplementary crops are grown alongside main crops without competing for resources or providing direct benefits. They may serve as a temporary ground cover or provide additional income.

20. What are crops grown to protect the main cash crop from certain pests?

 Ans: Trap Crops

 Explanation: Trap crops are planted to attract and trap pests away from the main cash crop, reducing pest damage and the need for chemical pesticides. They serve as a form of pest management strategy.

21. What are cereals botanically called?

 Ans: Caryopsis

 Explanation: Cereals are a type of grass whose edible grains are enclosed in a tough outer layer called a caryopsis, also known as a grain or kernel.

22. Which family of plants is more nutrient-exhaustive?

 Ans: Poaceae (Graminae)

 Explanation: The Poaceae family, commonly known as grasses, includes many cereal crops such as wheat, rice, and maize. These crops are often nutrient exhaustive, requiring significant amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for optimal growth.

23. Name a nonconventional oilseed crop.

 Ans: Sunflower

 Explanation: Sunflower is considered a nonconventional oilseed crop due to its high oil content and versatility in oil extraction processes. It is widely cultivated for its edible oil and seeds.

24. Name two non-edible oilseed crops.

 Ans: Castor and Linseed

 Explanation: Castor and linseed are oilseed crops primarily grown for industrial purposes rather than human consumption. Castor oil is used in various industries, while linseed oil is used in paints and varnishes.

25. Name some Indian originated field crops.

 Ans: Arhar, Mung, Urd, Cotton, Jute, Kodo, Kutki, Oat, etc.

 Explanation: These crops have originated or have been cultivated in India for centuries and hold significant economic and cultural importance in the country’s agriculture.

26. What are Kharif crops generally denoted as?

 Ans: Short-day plants

 Explanation: Kharif crops are typically sown in the rainy season and harvested in autumn. They are known as short day plants because they require shorter day lengths for flowering and fruiting.

27. What are Rabi crops generally denoted as?

 Ans: Long day plants

 Explanation: Rabi crops are sown in the winter season and harvested in spring. They are known as long day plants because they require longer day lengths for flowering and fruiting.

28. Name some day-neutral plants.

 Ans: Cotton, maize, sunflower, safflower, groundnut, buckwheat, tomato

 Explanation: Dayneutral plants are not dependent on day length for flowering and can flower regardless of day length. They include various crop species cultivated in diverse climatic conditions.

29. What is the optimum time of sowing for Kharif crops?

 Ans: June July

 Explanation: Kharif crops are typically sown with the onset of the monsoon season, which occurs around JuneJuly in many regions. This timing ensures adequate soil moisture for germination and early growth.

30. What is the optimum time for Rabi crops?

 Ans: Last week of October to the first week of November

 Explanation: Rabi crops are sown after the monsoon season, typically from late October to early November, to utilize soil moisture stored during the rainy season and ensure optimal growth during the winter months.

31. What is the recommended depth of sowing for most field crops?

 Ans: 35 cm

 Explanation: Sowing depth refers to the depth at which seeds are planted in the soil. For most field crops, a depth of 35 cm is recommended to ensure proper seed-soil contact and germination under favorable moisture conditions.

32. What is the recommended fertilizer dose (N:P: K) for cereal crops?

 Ans: 4:2:1

 Explanation: The recommended ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) for cereal crops such as rice, wheat, and maize is 4:2:1 to promote healthy plant growth and optimize yield potential.

33. What is the recommended fertilizer dose (N:P: K) for pulse crops?

 Ans: 1:2:1 or 1:2:2

 Explanation: Pulse crops, which include legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and peas, have a higher requirement for phosphorus compared to nitrogen and potassium. Therefore, the recommended fertilizer ratio is 1:2:1 or 1:2:2 to support their growth and yield.

34. What is the recommended fertilizer dose (N:P: K) for oilseed crops?

 Ans: 3:2:1

 Explanation: Oilseed crops such as soybeans, sunflowers, and groundnuts require a balanced supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for optimal oil and seed production. Therefore, the recommended fertilizer ratio is 3:2:1 to meet their nutritional needs.

35. What is the recommended fertilizer dose (N:P: K) for fodder and fiber crops?

 Ans: 2:1:4

 Explanation: Fodder and fiber crops, such as alfalfa, clover, and jute, have specific nutrient requirements to support their vegetative growth and fiber production. Therefore, the recommended fertilizer ratio is 2:1:4 to promote lush foliage and strong fiber development.

36. Name some C3 plants.

 Ans: Rice, Wheat, Barley, Pea, Gram, Mustard, Rye, Cotton, Arhar, Soybean, Sunflower, Lentil, Sugar beet, Tomato, etc.

 Explanation: C3 plants are characterized by the C3 carbon fixation pathway, where the first product of photosynthesis is a 3carbon compound. They include a wide range of crops grown in diverse climates and regions.

37. Name some C4 plants.

 Ans: Maize, Sorghum, Bajra, Sugarcane, Millets

 Explanation: C4 plants utilize the C4 carbon fixation pathway, which enhances photosynthetic efficiency under high light and temperature conditions. They are typically found in warm climates and include important food and forage crops.

38. Name some CAM plants.

 Ans: Pineapple, Khajur (Date palm), Cactus, Sisal

 Explanation: CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plants are adapted to arid and semiarid environments where water availability is limited. They exhibit a unique carbon fixation pathway that helps conserve water by opening stomata at night and fixing carbon dioxide.

39. What is the optimum temperature for better crop production?

 Ans: 18 – 24°C

 Explanation: Optimal temperature ranges promote better crop growth and development by facilitating key physiological processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient uptake.

40. What is the term for the weight of 1000 seeds of a crop?

 Ans: Test weight

 Explanation: Test weight is a measure of seed quality and is calculated as the weight of 1000 seeds of a crop. It is often used to assess seed size, density, and uniformity, which can affect crop yield and performance.

41. What is the term for the weight of 100 seeds of a crop?

 Ans: Seed Index

 Explanation: The seed index refers to the weight of 100 seeds of a crop and is used as an indicator of seed size, viability, and quality. It is an important parameter in seed testing and grading.

42. In what terms is the net assimilation rate expressed?

 Ans: g cm^–2 day^–1

 Explanation: Net assimilation rate (NAR) is a measure of the rate at which plants accumulate dry matter through photosynthesis per unit leaf area per unit time. It is expressed in grams of dry matter per square centimeter of leaf area per day.

43. What crop geometry ensures uniform solar radiation availability to the crop?

 Ans: Square

 Explanation: Square crop geometry involves planting crops in a square arrangement with equal spacing between rows and plants. This ensures uniform distribution of solar radiation, promoting balanced growth and yield across the field.

44. What wavelength, longer than ___ m/μ, is not visible to the eye and is called infrared?

 Ans: 750

 Explanation: Infrared radiation refers to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than those of visible light, typically longer than 750 nanometers (nm). It is not visible to the human eye but is used in various applications such as remote sensing and thermal imaging.

45. What stage of plant development marks the end of a further increase in dry matter in the economic part?

 Ans: Physiological maturity

 Explanation: Physiological maturity is the stage of plant development at which the economic part of the plant, such as grains, fruits, or seeds, reaches its maximum dry matter accumulation and ceases to increase further. It marks the ideal harvest time for optimal yield and quality.