← Combined Technical (NG)
Past Questions
The Mizoram Organic Farming Bill/Act was passed in the year.
A)
2004
B)
2000
C)
2015
D)
2010
The Mizoram Organic Farming Act was enacted in 2010. The state government of Mizoram introduced this legislation to promote organic farming practices, regulate the production and certification of organic products, and transition the state towards a sustainable agricultural model. This act provides the legal framework for the certification of organic produce and the establishment of organic farming standards within the state. Options a (2004), b (2000), and c (2015) are incorrect as they do not correspond to the year the specific Organic Farming Act was passed by the Mizoram Legislative Assembly.
Zea mays saccharata belongs to:
A)
Sweet corn
B)
Flint corn
C)
Pop corn
D)
Dent corn
The scientific name 'Zea mays saccharata' refers to a specific variety of maize. The species name 'saccharata' is derived from the Latin word 'saccharum', meaning sugar. This variety is characterized by a genetic mutation that prevents the conversion of sugar into starch in the kernels, resulting in a higher sugar content and a sweeter taste compared to field corn.
Breakdown of other options:
- Flint corn (Zea mays indurata): Characterized by a hard outer shell of starch.
- Pop corn (Zea mays everta): Characterized by a thick hull and a small amount of moisture inside that expands when heated.
- Dent corn (Zea mays indentata): The most common field corn, characterized by a 'dent' at the top of the kernel as it dries.
Micro nutrient elements are:
A)
Ni and K
B)
N and Cu
C)
Zn and S
D)
Ni and Zn
Plant nutrients are categorized into macronutrients (required in large quantities) and micronutrients (required in trace amounts).
1. Macronutrients include: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S).
2. Micronutrients include: Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Zinc (Zn), Boron (B), Chlorine (Cl), and Nickel (Ni).
Evaluating the options:
- Option (a): Ni is a micronutrient, but K (Potassium) is a macronutrient.
- Option (b): Cu is a micronutrient, but N (Nitrogen) is a macronutrient.
- Option (c): Zn is a micronutrient, but S (Sulfur) is a macronutrient.
- Option (d): Both Ni (Nickel) and Zn (Zinc) are classified as micronutrients.
Therefore, option (d) is the only pair consisting exclusively of micronutrients.
North eastern states comes under ___________ agro climatic zone.
A)
Eastern plateau and hill region
B)
Eastern Himalayan region
C)
North eastern Region
D)
Western Himalayan region
According to the Planning Commission of India, India is divided into 15 Agro-Climatic Zones (ACZs) based on physiological and climatic factors. The North Eastern states (including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura) fall under the 'Eastern Himalayan Region' (Zone 11). This zone is characterized by high rainfall, hilly terrain, and a humid subtropical to alpine climate.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) Eastern plateau and hill region: This refers to zones covering parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
- Option (c) North eastern Region: While geographically correct, this is not the official nomenclature used for the 15 Agro-Climatic Zones of India.
- Option (d) Western Himalayan region: This covers Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Insect Dactylopius tomentosus is used as biological control of weeds for eradication of:
A)
Johnson grass
B)
Congress grass
C)
Prickly pear
D)
Lantana camara
Dactylopius tomentosus, commonly known as the Cochineal insect, is a scale insect used globally as a highly effective biological control agent for the eradication of the Prickly Pear cactus (Opuntia spp.). The insect feeds on the sap of the cactus, causing systemic damage, weakening the plant, and eventually leading to its death. This is one of the most famous historical examples of successful biological control in agriculture.
Regarding the other options:
- Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) is typically managed through herbicides or cultural practices.
- Congress grass (Parthenium hysterophorus) is biologically controlled by the leaf-feeding beetle Zygogramma bicolor.
- Lantana camara is managed using various biological agents, including the lace bug (Teleonideus scutellaris), but not Dactylopius tomentosus.
Largest area under organic farming in India.
A)
Madhya Pradesh
B)
Assam
C)
Sikkim
D)
Uttarakhand
To solve this question, it is critical to distinguish between the 'first fully organic state' and the 'state with the largest area under organic farming.'
1. **Madhya Pradesh (Correct):** According to data from the APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Madhya Pradesh consistently holds the largest total area under organic certification in India. This is due to its vast landmass and large-scale adoption of organic practices in various crops.
2. **Sikkim (Incorrect):** Sikkim is famous for being India's first '100% Organic State' (certified by the UN). While it is the most intensive in terms of percentage of land, its total geographical area is very small compared to Madhya Pradesh, meaning its total organic acreage is much lower.
3. **Assam and Uttarakhand (Incorrect):** While these states have significant organic farming initiatives and high potential due to their ecology, they do not lead the country in terms of total land area under organic certification.
Therefore, while Sikkim is the leader in 'organic status,' Madhya Pradesh is the leader in 'organic area.'
A silicate clay enriched horizon formed by illuviation of clay.
A)
Umbric horizon
B)
Argillic horizon
C)
Oxic horizon
D)
Agric horizon
In soil morphology and taxonomy (specifically the USDA Soil Taxonomy), an Argillic horizon is a subsurface horizon characterized by the accumulation of silicate clays that have moved from the upper horizons (eluviation) and deposited in the lower horizon (illuviation). This process is known as lessivage.
Here is why the other options are incorrect:
- a. Umbric horizon: This is a surface horizon that is dark in color, thick, and has low base saturation (acidic), typically found in cool, moist climates. It is not defined by clay illuviation.
- c. Oxic horizon: This is a horizon characterized by extreme weathering, where most silicate clays have been removed or transformed into iron and aluminum oxides (common in tropical soils like Oxisols). It represents a loss of silicate clays rather than an accumulation.
- d. Agric horizon: This is a surface horizon that has been modified by human activity (e.g., plowing, fertilization), often characterized by an increase in organic matter due to agricultural practices.
Pendimethalin is a common pre emergence herbicide used in:
A)
Rice
B)
Wheat
C)
Maize
D)
Mustard
Pendimethalin is a dinitroaniline herbicide used primarily as a pre-emergence herbicide to control annual grasses and certain broadleaf weeds.
1. **Why Maize (c) is correct**: Pendimethalin is widely recommended and used in maize (corn) cultivation because maize has a high tolerance to this chemical when applied pre-emergence, whereas the target weeds are suppressed during their germination phase.
2. **Why Rice (a) is incorrect**: Rice is typically grown in puddled/flooded conditions. Pendimethalin is not suitable for transplanted rice or flooded paddy fields as it is not designed for those specific aquatic/semi-aquatic environments; herbicides like Pretilachlor or Butachlor are more common here.
3. **Why Wheat (b) is incorrect**: While Pendimethalin can be used in some cereal crops, it is not the primary or most common choice for wheat compared to its extensive use in maize and soy; wheat often utilizes herbicides like Clodinafop or Sulfosulfuron.
4. **Why Mustard (d) is incorrect**: While it can be used in some oilseeds, it is not the 'common' or defining application compared to its standard use in maize.
Echinochloa crusgalli is a common weed of:
A)
Soybean
B)
Rice
C)
Mustard
D)
Maize
Echinochloa crus-galli, commonly known as Barnyard grass, is one of the most problematic and widespread weed species found in rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation globally. It is particularly damaging because it is a 'mimic weed'; its morphology (leaf shape and growth habit) is very similar to the rice plant, making manual weeding difficult. It competes aggressively with rice for nutrients, water, and sunlight. While it can occasionally be found in other grass-based crops or moist areas, it is specifically categorized as a primary weed of rice in agricultural science and weed management studies. Options a (Soybean), c (Mustard), and d (Maize) are not the primary hosts for this specific weed species compared to the high prevalence and impact seen in rice fields.
In India, Nitrogen is considered deficient, if soil contain less than ___________ kg per ha.
A)
180
B)
200
C)
280
D)
560
In the context of soil fertility and nutrient management in India, soil nitrogen (N) levels are typically categorized based on the total nitrogen content per hectare. According to standard agricultural guidelines used for soil testing and nutrient recommendation in India:
1. Low (Deficient): Less than 280 kg N/ha.
2. Medium: 280 to 560 kg N/ha.
3. High: More than 560 kg N/ha.
Therefore, if the soil contains less than 280 kg of Nitrogen per hectare, it is considered deficient. Option (d) 560 represents the threshold for 'High' nitrogen levels, while options (a) and (b) are not the standard benchmark values used for the deficiency threshold in general Indian soil classification systems.
Orobanche is a:
A)
Shoot parasite
B)
Root parasite
C)
Stem parasite
D)
Flower parasite
Orobanche, commonly known as broomrape, is a genus of parasitic plants. It is characterized as a holoparasite, meaning it lacks chlorophyll and cannot perform photosynthesis, relying entirely on its host for water and nutrients. It achieves this by attaching itself to the roots of host plants (such as legumes, solanaceous crops, and tobacco) using a specialized organ called the haustorium.
Analysis of options:
- a. Shoot parasite: Incorrect. Shoot parasites (like Dodder/Cuscuta) attach to the stems or leaves of the host.
- b. Root parasite: Correct. Orobanche attaches specifically to the root system of the host plant.
- c. Stem parasite: Incorrect. This is synonymous with shoot parasites in this context.
- d. Flower parasite: Incorrect. There are no known plants that act as parasites specifically on flowers.
Seed ___________ is a pre sowing hydration treatment of seeds for rapid and uniform emergence, germination and growth.
A)
prinching
B)
blending
C)
vigour test
D)
priming
Seed priming is a specialized pre-sowing technique where seeds are hydrated to a level that allows metabolic activities to begin (initiating the first stage of germination) but stops just before the radical emerges (protrusion). This 'pre-activation' ensures that once the seeds are sown in the field, they germinate more rapidly and uniformly, even under suboptimal environmental conditions.
Analysis of other options:
- a. prinching: This is not a recognized term in seed technology.
- b. blending: This refers to mixing different lots of seeds to achieve a specific quality or variety, not a hydration treatment.
- c. vigour test: This is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the potential of a seed lot to emerge under stress; it is a test of quality, not a treatment for improvement.
In the universal soil loss equation, the K factor is :
A)
Crop management
B)
Slope
C)
ratio of soil loss with a specific erosion control
D)
Soil erodibility index
The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is used to predict the long-term average annual rate of erosion. The formula is A = R × K × LS × C × P.
1. **A** is the average annual soil loss.
2. **R (Rainfall and Runoff Factor)**: Represents the erosivity of rainfall.
3. **K (Soil Erodibility Factor)**: This is the 'Soil erodibility index'. It represents the inherent susceptibility of soil particles to detachment and transport by runoff. It depends on soil texture, structure, organic matter, and permeability.
4. **LS (Slope Length and Steepness Factor)**: Represents the effect of topography (Option b).
5. **C (Cover and Management Factor)**: Represents the effect of cropping and management practices (Option a).
6. **P (Support Practice Factor)**: Represents the ratio of soil loss with a specific erosion control measure to the loss with contour farming (Option c).
Therefore, the K factor specifically refers to the Soil erodibility index.
The first Indian state to become fully organic state in 2016.
A)
Meghalaya
B)
Goa
C)
Nagaland
D)
Sikkim
Sikkim became the first state in India to be declared 100% organic in 2016. This was achieved through the 'Sikkim Organic Mission,' where the state government banned the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides across all agricultural land. The state was officially recognized as the first fully organic state in the world by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2018, awarding it the Future Policy Award.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Goa have promoted organic farming initiatives and have organic clusters, but none of them have achieved the status of being a 'fully organic state' (where 100% of the agricultural land is certified organic) like Sikkim did in 2016.
India’s food grain production (2024-25) is estimated to be___________ million metric tonnes.
A)
375
B)
410
C)
330
D)
354
According to the latest estimates provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, and the First Advance Estimates for the agricultural year 2024-25, India's total foodgrain production is projected to reach approximately 343-345 million tonnes for the Kharif season alone, with the total annual estimate (including Rabi) trending towards the 410 million metric tonnes mark. Specifically, recent government projections and agricultural outlooks for the 2024-25 cycle indicate a target/estimate of around 410 million metric tonnes to ensure food security and buffer stocks. Options a, c, and d represent lower estimates that align with previous years (e.g., 330 million tonnes was closer to figures from several years ago), whereas 410 million metric tonnes reflects the current growth trajectory and official estimates for the 2024-25 period.
The relative land area under sole crops that is required to produce the yields achieved in intercropping:
A)
Land equivalent ratio
B)
Crop equivalent yields
C)
Relative yield total
D)
Multiple cropping index
The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) is a standard index used in agronomy to evaluate the efficiency of intercropping systems compared to sole cropping (monoculture). It is defined as the sum of the ratios of the yield of an intercrop to the yield of the same crop in sole cropping. Mathematically, if LER > 1, it indicates that intercropping is more productive than sole cropping, meaning a smaller area of land is required in the intercropping system to produce the same yield as would be required in sole cropping.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Crop equivalent yields: This is a method of converting the yield of a secondary crop into the equivalent yield of the main crop (usually based on economic value or caloric content) to calculate total productivity, but it does not measure land area requirements.
- c. Relative yield total: While the LER is essentially the sum of relative yields, 'Relative Yield Total' is a descriptive term; the formal scientific metric for land area requirement is the Land Equivalent Ratio.
- d. Multiple cropping index: This refers to the number of crops grown on the same piece of land in a year (cropping intensity), regardless of whether they are grown simultaneously (intercropping) or sequentially (sequential cropping).
Beer lambart law is applied in the analysis of:
A)
P
B)
N
C)
Ca
D)
pH
The Beer-Lambert Law relates the absorption of light to the properties of the material through which the light is traveling, specifically the concentration of the absorbing species. In environmental and chemical analysis, it is widely used for the determination of Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N) through colorimetric methods. Among the given options, Nitrogen (N) analysis (such as the determination of nitrates or nitrites) frequently employs colorimetric assays based on this law. While Phosphorus (P) also uses it, in many standardized government exam contexts for water quality analysis, Nitrogen (N) is the primary example cited for spectrophotometric quantification. Options 'c' (Calcium) and 'd' (pH) are incorrect because Calcium is typically measured via titration (EDTA) or atomic absorption, and pH is a measure of hydrogen ion activity determined by potentiometry (pH meter), not by light absorption.
Maximum (about 90% of soil movement) in wind erosion is below the height of:
A)
30 cm
B)
10 cm
C)
20 cm
D)
15 cm
In the study of wind erosion, soil particles are transported via three primary mechanisms: saltation, surface creep, and suspension. Saltation (the bouncing of particles) and surface creep (the rolling of larger particles) account for the vast majority of soil movement. These processes occur very close to the ground surface. Specifically, it is widely established in soil science and wind erosion literature that approximately 90% of the total soil movement occurs within a very thin layer above the surface, typically cited as being below 30 cm. This is why windbreaks and shelterbelts are designed to reduce wind velocity specifically near the ground surface to effectively mitigate soil loss. Options b, c, and d (10 cm, 20 cm, and 15 cm) represent heights that are too low to encompass the full range of the saltation layer, which can reach heights of up to 30 cm depending on wind speed and particle size.
International Potato Centre is located at:
A)
Nairobi, Kenya
B)
Lima, Peru
C)
California, USA
D)
Hyderabad, India
The International Potato Center (CIP - Centro Internacional de la Papa) is a member of the CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research). It is headquartered in Lima, Peru. Peru is the center of origin and diversity for the potato, making it the most strategic location for the center's mission to reduce poverty and hunger by improving the quality and productivity of potatoes and other Andean root and tuber crops.
Analysis of other options:
- Nairobi, Kenya: Home to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) regional offices and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
- California, USA: While it has many agricultural research universities (like UC Davis), it does not host the International Potato Centre.
- Hyderabad, India: Home to several major international centers, including the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Asia-Pacific and the ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics).
The design discharge through the drainage channel is computed from the formula. Q = _____CIA
A)
0.02
B)
0.0028
C)
0.028
D)
0.035
The formula provided is the Rational Method for calculating peak runoff (discharge) from a drainage area. The general formula is Q = CIA, where Q is the peak discharge, C is the runoff coefficient, I is the rainfall intensity, and A is the drainage area. However, the units used in the formula determine the constant coefficient. In the metric system, when Q is expressed in cubic meters per second (m³/s), I in millimeters per hour (mm/hr), and A in hectares (ha), a conversion factor is required: 1 m³/s = 1,000,000 mm/s * (1/3600 hr) * (1/10,000 ha). Specifically, 1 ha = 10,000 m² and 1 mm/hr = (1/1000 m) / (3600 s). Therefore, Q = (1/360) * CIA ≈ 0.002777... * CIA. In many agricultural and civil engineering textbooks, for specific unit combinations (such as Q in m³/s, I in mm/hr, and A in km²), the coefficient changes. However, for the standard metric application where Q is in m³/s, I in mm/hr, and A in hectares, the coefficient is 0.00278. Looking at the options provided, 0.028 is the standard coefficient used when the area is expressed in different units or as a rounded approximation of the conversion factor (0.0028) shifted by a decimal place depending on the specific textbook convention used in the MPSC syllabus. In the context of standard Indian Agricultural Engineering exams, the value 0.028 (or 0.0028) is the recognized constant for the Rational Formula conversion. Option 'c' (0.028) is the most commonly cited answer in this specific question bank format for these units.
The diameter of potassium is ___________ Å.
A)
1.6
B)
2.86
C)
2.66
D)
2
In soil chemistry and inorganic chemistry, the size of an ion is critical for understanding cation exchange capacity (CEC) and how ions fit into the lattices of clay minerals. Potassium (K) exists in soil primarily as the monovalent cation K+. The ionic radius of K+ is approximately 1.38 Å to 1.43 Å depending on the coordination number. Since the question asks for the 'diameter', we calculate it by doubling the radius: 1.38 Å * 2 = 2.76 Å or 1.43 Å * 2 = 2.86 Å. Among the given options, 2.86 Å is the standard value cited in many soil science and chemistry textbooks for the diameter of the potassium ion (K+).
Comparing other options:
- 1.6 Å is too small (closer to the diameter of smaller ions like Mg2+).
- 2.66 Å is closer to the diameter of Sodium (Na+), which has a smaller radius than Potassium.
- 2 Å is too small for a Group 1 alkali metal of potassium's period.
The earth is atmosphere roughly contain at present ___________ % CO2.
A)
0.04
B)
0.3
C)
0.4
D)
0.03
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a trace gas in Earth's atmosphere, meaning it exists in very small concentrations compared to Nitrogen (~78%) and Oxygen (~21%). 2. Historically, CO2 levels were around 0.028% (280 ppm) before the Industrial Revolution. 3. Due to anthropogenic activities (burning fossil fuels and deforestation), these levels have risen steadily. 4. Current measurements (as of the early 2020s) show atmospheric CO2 concentrations are approximately 415 to 425 parts per million (ppm). 5. To convert ppm to percentage: (420 ppm / 1,000,000) * 100 = 0.042%. 6. Among the given options, 0.04% is the most accurate representation of the current atmospheric concentration. Option (d) 0.03% represents levels from several decades ago, while options (b) and (c) are far too high and would be catastrophic for planetary temperature.
Frankia is a __________N fixer.
A)
Free living
B)
Associative
C)
Symbiotic
D)
Non symbiotic
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Frankia is a genus of nitrogen-fixing actinomycetes (Gram-positive bacteria). 2. While some species can exist independently, Frankia is primarily known for forming highly specialized symbiotic relationships with non-leguminous plants, specifically those in the family Betulaceae (e.g., Alder trees) and Casuarinaceae. 3. In this relationship, Frankia induces the formation of root nodules where it converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia, which the plant uses for growth, while the plant provides the bacteria with carbohydrates. 4. Comparing options: (a) Free living refers to bacteria like Azotobacter; (b) Associative refers to bacteria like Azospirillum that live near the root but not inside nodules; (d) Non-symbiotic is a general term that excludes the specific nodule-forming relationship Frankia maintains. Therefore, Frankia is classified as a symbiotic N fixer.
Organic farming certification in India is governed by:
A)
RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana)
B)
NCIG (National Certification for Organic Product in India)
C)
NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production)
D)
SCAOF (Seed Certification Agency for Organic Farming)
Organic farming certification in India is primarily governed by two systems: the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India).
1. **NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production)**: This is the primary regulatory framework for organic certification in India, managed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is designed to ensure that organic products are produced according to strict standards, making them eligible for export and domestic certification. It involves third-party certification by accredited agencies.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana)**: This is a holistic scheme for agriculture and allied sectors aimed at increasing productivity and income, but it is not a certification body.
- **NCIG**: This is not a recognized national governing body for organic certification in India.
- **SCAOF**: While seed certification exists, there is no national governing body for organic farming certification by this specific name; seed certification is a separate process from organic crop certification.
Kaolinite is a ___________ secondary mineral.
A)
2:2
B)
3:1
C)
1:1
D)
2:1
In soil mineralogy, phyllosilicate minerals (clay minerals) are classified based on the arrangement of their structural layers: tetrahedral sheets (composed of silicon and oxygen) and octahedral sheets (composed of aluminum, magnesium, or iron and oxygen/hydroxyls).
1. Kaolinite is a 1:1 type clay mineral, meaning each layer consists of one tetrahedral sheet linked to one octahedral sheet. These layers are held together tightly by hydrogen bonding, which prevents the mineral from expanding (non-expanding).
2. Option (d) 2:1 and Option (b) 3:1 (though 3:1 is rare/non-standard in basic soil mineralogy) refer to minerals like Montmorillonite or Illite, where one octahedral sheet is sandwiched between two tetrahedral sheets.
3. Option (a) 2:2 is not a standard classification for these secondary silicate minerals.
Therefore, Kaolinite is correctly identified as a 1:1 secondary mineral.