(Download) UPSC (MAIN) EXAM:2019 BOTANY (Paper-1)

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(Download) CS (MAIN) EXAM:2019 BOTANY (Paper I)

Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2019 BOTANY (Paper I)
Marks: 250
Time Allowed : Three Hours

SECTION ‘A’

1. Describe the following in about 150 words each :

1.(a) Mycorrhizal association and its importance in plants. 10 marks
1.(b)Differentiation between bioremediation and bioleaching. 10 marks
1.(c) Nature and significance of plant-endophyte relationship. 10 marks
1.(d) Alternation of heteromorphic generations in Bryophytes. 10 marks
1.(e) Draw a well labelled longitudinal sectional view of the structure of capsule of Funaria. 10 marks

2.(a) What are the characteristic features, means of reproduction and economic importance of Ascomycetes ? 20 marks
2.(b) Describe the characteristics and replication of viroids. 15 marks
2.(c) What are the critical features of heterospory and seed habit in pteridophytes. 15 marks

3. (a) Write the name of causal agent, symptoms and control measures of yellow vein of Okra and Tundu disease of wheat.20 marks
3.(b) Comment on the structure and ecological and physiological importance of leaf of Azolla.15 marks
3.(c) Compare the thallus forms of brown and green algae. 15 marks

4.(a) Compare and contrast the systems of classifications of Bentham and Hooker, and Hutchinson. Add a note on their merits and demerits. 20 marks
4.(b) What causes anomalous secondary growth in some dicot plants ? Explain.15 marks
4.(c) State the applications of Microbiology in Agriculture.15 marks

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SECTION 'B'

5. Describe the following in about 150 words each:

5.(a) Importance of haploid plant production from pollen grains.10 marks
5.(b) Hydrocarbon yielding energy crops and advantages of biodiesel. 10 marks
5.(c) Steps in the production of somatic hybrids and their advantages 10 marks
5.(d) Illustrate Kranz anatomy in a typical C4 plant leaf 10 marks
5.(e) Palynology and its significance. 10 marks

6.(a) Define herbarium and give methods of its preparation and also mention the names of five major herbaria. 20 marks
6.(b) Write botanical names and families of the plants yielding beverages, narcotics and gums. 10 marks
6.(c) What are the identifying characters, floral diagram and floral formula of Verbenaceae and Liliaceae ? 10 marks

7.(a) Highlight the main features of Vavilov's centres of origin of crop plants. 20 marks
7.(b) Define totipotency and discuss cytodifferentiation in plants. 10 marks
7.(c) How is Embryology useful in Taxonomy ?10 marks

8.(a) How many types of embryo-sacs are known among angiosperms ? Describe their formation. Give one example for each.20 Marks
8.(b) Discuss the salient features of Gnetales. Why are they regarded as the most evolved Gymnosperms ? 15 marks
8.(c) What are the different stages of micropropagation ? Mention its advantages.15 marks