Agriculture (UPSC)( Part – II)

Total Questions: 22

11. Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture?

1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land

2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field

3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Solution:According to the Kurukshetra Magazine November 2017 special issue on irrigation: Tillage exposes the soil to drying, conversely, reductions in tillage help conserve soil water. So #1 is right. The retention of crop residues helps in reducing water loss from the soil to the air and cools the soil. So, #3 is right. According to some random research papers & Google books even gypsum application helps in water conservation so experts ware divided between Option (c) or (d). But in the official answer key UPSC has kept (c) as the correct answer.

12. With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of 'genome sequencing', often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future?

1. Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants.

2. This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop new varieties of crop plants.

3. It can be used to decipher the host-pathogen relationships in crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:Since UPSC has combined the preliminary exam of civil services and forest services, so few such odd questions are expected. There is no need to lose sleep, if you can't solve it. But let's do it:

It explains the benefits of human genome sequencing that- "It is the sequence of bases in DNA that determines the genetic information of a given organism. So, learning about the DNA sequences can lead to an understanding of their natural capabilities that can be applied toward solving challenges in health care, agriculture, energy production, environmental remediation."

So on that logic, statement 1 and 3 should be possible, and if 1 and 3 are possible then statement 2 ought to be possible as well! So answer (d) all three statements are correct. Searching academic papers on Google Scholar engineer confirms that (d) is the answer.

13. With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of "Conservation Agriculture" assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?

1. Avoiding the monoculture practices

2. Adopting minimum tillage

3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops

4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface

5. Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 5

Correct Answer: (c) 2, 4 and 5

Solution:Has given three key features of conservation agriculture viz:

i. minimum soil disturbance by adopting no-tillage or minimum tillage and reduced traffic for agricultural operations. So, #2 is right. This eliminates Option (a) ii. maximum soil cover by leaving crop residues on the soil surface. So, #4 is right. This eliminates Option (d) iii. adopt spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotation. So, #5 is verbatim right. Hence final answer (c)

14. What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture?

1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.

2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.

3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.

4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only

Solution:When an element forms precipitate with another substance commonly found in the irrigation water, it is not advisable to use this method. Phosphorus and anhydrous ammonia may form a precipitate in water with high calcium and magnesium content. So they are not used in fertigation. So 2nd statement is wrong by elimination we arrived at the answer "c".

15. What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?

1. Sowing of what is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop.

2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.

3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:Open burning of crop residues in the agricultural fields has become an environmental concern in India, particularly during paddy harvesting season. .... The Union government is providing subsidy for Happy Seeders, Zero Till Seed Drill etc. which can help planting the seeds for next crop without burning the previous crop. So, #1 is correct.

In the zero tillage, We are not disturbing the soil and we are not burning the previous crop Residue so that way, it could help in Carbon sequestration. So, #3 should be correct.

16. "The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimeters of rainfall for its growth. A light well-drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideally suited for the cultivation of the crop." Which one of the following is the crop?

(a) Cotton
(b) Jute
(c) Sugarcane
(d) Tea

Correct Answer: (a) Cotton

Solution:Sugarcane requires an annual rainfall between 75cm. and 100cm. Irrigation is required in the regions of low rainfall. So, #C eliminated.

Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, 210 frost-free days.

Jute: requires high temperature, heavy rainfall and humid climate

Tea: requires cool climate and well distributed high rainfall throughout the year

Cotton: Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days.

Considering these descriptions, cotton seems to be the better choice among the given options.

17. What is the use of biochar in farming?

1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming.

2. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.

3. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it enables the growing medium to retain water for a longer time.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:Biochar is a stable, carbon-rich form of charcoal that is applied to soil.

biochars from manures and food wastes recorded higher nitrogen and phosphorus levels. So #2 is right.

Some biochars can increase soil fertility, water holding capacity and crop productivity. So #3 is right There is only one option where #2 and #3 are together so answer is "d".

18. How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?

1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant.

2. Conventional chemical farming can cause increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.

3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in such regions.

4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 4 only
(d) 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4

Solution:POLYCULTURE (OR) PERMACULTURE: Polyculture is agriculture using multiple crops in the same space, in imitation of the diversity of natural ecosystem and avoiding

large stands of single crop or monoculture. So #1 is right.

Thus Option C and D are eliminated & we are left 50:50 with Option A or B. Final Answer depends on whether statement#4 is correct or not.

Chemical farming relies heavily on the fertilizers and flood irrigation, so mulching Is not as important as it is in Permaculture so, #4 is right.

Therefore, Correct Answer is "B"

19. With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements:

1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.

2. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.

3. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Solution:Statement #1 is wrong as Palm oil tree are native to Africa.

As statement #1 is wrong, Thus A,C,D are eliminated. So, the correct option will be "B".

20. Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?

(a) Sugarcane
(b) Sunflower
(c) Pearl millet
(d) Red gram

Correct Answer: (a) Sugarcane

Solution:Crop water need (mm/total growing period): Sugarcane: 1500-2500, Sunflower: 600-1000, Millet: 450-650, Gram (Chickpea): 350-500. So, Sugarcane requires higher amount of water than other crops. So, Sugarcane is the least water-efficient crop.

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Agriculture (UPSC)( Part – II)

11. Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture?

12. With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of 'genome sequencing', often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future?

13. With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of "Conservation Agriculture" assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?

14. What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture?

15. What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?

17. What is the use of biochar in farming?

18. How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?

19. With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements:

20. Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?

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