(Download) UPSC MAIN EXAM : 2018 AGRICULTURE (Paper-2)
(Download) CS (MAIN) EXAM:2018 AGRICULTURE (Paper II)
Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2018 AGRICULTURE (Paper II)
Marks: 250
Time Allowed : Three Hours
SECTION 'A'
Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10x5=50 marks
(a) What is protoplasm ? Briefly discuss its chemical composition and
physical properties. 10 marks
(b) Define mass selection. Explain its applications in self-pollinated
crops. 10 marks
(c) What do you mean by heterosis ? Describe the physiological bases of
heterosis. 10 marks
(d) Explain seed enhancement with its merits. Describe in brief about the
various practices used for seed enhancement. 10 marks
(e) Define enzyme. Give a note on the factors affecting the rate of
enzymic activities in plants. 10 marks
Q2. (a) What do you mean by hybrid seed production ? Describe the
different types of sterility systems to facilitate hybrid seed production. 20
marks
(b) What do you understand by chromosomal aberration ? Discuss in brief, the
major types of chromosomal aberrations. 15 marks
(c) Enlist Mendel's different laws. Describe in detail about the law of
segregation with suitable examples. 15 marks
Q3. (a) Enumerate the various types of seeds. Give a stepwise account of
techniques associated with seed production. 20 marks
(b) What do you mean by self-incompatibility ? Discuss ways and means to
overcome self-incompatibility. 15 marks
(c) Define Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). Discuss IPRs" relevance
to agriculture.15 marks
Q4. (a) Differentiate between aneuploid, euploid and polyploid.
Explain in detail the applications of allopolyploidy in crop improvement. 20
marks
(b) Give justification that "DNA fingerprinting is a vital tool for
identification of the cultivars".15 marks
(c) What do you mean by Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum (SPAC) ? Describe
the different soil moisture constants. 15 marks
UPSC Mains General Studies Study Kit
SECTION 'B'
Q5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10x5=50 marks
(a) What are the different methods of diagnosis of mineral nutrient
deficiency ? Describe the role and deficiency symptoms of zinc in rice and
sulphur in oilseed crops. 10 marks
(b) Explain C3, C4 and CAM mechanism in plants and their importance in
changing climatic conditions. 10 marks
(c) Enlist factors affecting the post-harvest life of flowers. How can it
be controlled by growth regulators ? 10 marks
(d) Describe symptoms and management of leaf curl and mosaic diseases in
tomato.10 marks
(e) Give a brief account of food security in India before and after the
green revolution. Suggest sustainable solutions to strengthen food security in
the country. 10 marks
Q6. (a) Define auxins and explain their role in crop life cycles. Also,
discuss the uses of auxins in agriculture. 20 marks
(b) Discuss the effects of water stress on plant growth and development.
Describe plant borne mechanisms to escape from drought and stress situation. 15
marks
(c) What do you understand by seed dormancy? Discuss the reasons for seed
dormancy. Also, describe the various methods for breaking seed dormancy. 15
marks
Q7. (a) Give package of cultivation of pomegranate with reference to
planting materials and methods, irrigation, nutrition, plant protection and
post-harvest management. 20 marks
(b) Enlist different vegetative propagation methods for fruit plants.
Describe the different layering techniques employed for fruit plant propagation.
15 marks
(c) Describe the post-harvest management and value-added products of
black pepper. 15 marks
Q8.(a) What do you mean by Integrated Pest Management (IPM) ? Discuss the
constraints in successful implementation of IPM. 20 marks
(b) Describe the importance of micronutrients in human health, Justify
with suitable examples. 15 marks
(c) What do you understand by e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) ?
Discuss the prospects and constraints of e-NAM in the context of Indian
farmers.15 marks