IBPS AFO 2016 — Agri Master Mind

✅Explanation: The Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) is located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. IIPR is an agricultural research institute dedicated to the improvement and promotion of pulse crops in the country.🔑Key PointsIndian Ins<titute of Pulses Research It was established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to carry out basic strategic and applied research on major pulse crops.It was established in the year 1983.It is a government institute located in Kanpur, Uttar PradeshThe current Director of the Indian Institute of Pulses Research is Dr. Girish Prasad Dixit.

The National Research Centre for Groundnut (NRCG) is located at Ivnagar Road, PO Box 5, 362 001 Junagadh, India. It was established on March 1, 1979. The NRCG was the first crop-based national research center in India under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It was set up on leased land from Gujarat Agricultural University.

✅Explanation: Hariyana is a dual-purpose breed of cow mainly found in Karnal, Hisar and Gurgaon district of Haryana, Delhi and Western M.P. The milk yield is 1140 -4500 kgs. Bullocks are powerful for road transport and rapid ploughing.📌Other Options Explanations:Option B: Gir - Known primarily as a dairy breed, especially for its high milk yield, often preferred in the dairy industry over dual-purpose roles.Option C: Sindhi - A notable dairy breed, Sindhi cows are valued for their substantial milk production.Option D: Sahiwal - Renowned for high milk production, Sahiwal is one of India’s best dairy breeds.Option E: Deoni - Deoni is a dual-purpose breed.

✅Explanation: Among the world's best buffalo genetic resources available in India, 'Bhadawari' is better known for its milk fat percentage, recorded as high as 13%.📌Other Options Explanations:Option A: Murrah - Known for high milk yield with a decent fat percentage (6-8%).Option C: Jafrawadi - This breed has a moderate fat content and is valued for other attributes, like adaptability to dry regions.Option D: Mehsana - Mehsana is a crossbreed known for good milk yield and moderate fat content, widely used in Gujarat.Option E: Neeli Ravi - Common in Pakistan, Neeli Ravi produces milk with a reasonable fat percentage (5-8%).

✅Explanation: Citrus fruit cracking is not due to any nutrient deficiency but is due to sudden changes in temperature and also due to moisture stress condition. Cracking of fruits may be radial or transverse. Secondary infection is also possible due to Aspergillus, Fusarium or Alternaria 🔑Key PointsBacteria is a microorganism that causes citrus canker.Citrus Canker disease:It is a bacterial disease that causes significant damage to citrus species, ruining crops and preventing trade.Citrus canker, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, affects the leaves, twigs and fruit of citrus plants causing the leaves to drop and unripe fruit to fall to the ground.All types of citrus are affected by the disease.Citrus canker is most severe in hot, wet areas.The infected sites ooze sap which can carry the disease from tree to tree by irrigation or rain splash.Citrus canker can spread quickly over long distances on infected citrus fruits and leaves, as well as on people and equipment.There is no cure for the disease, so any infected trees have to be destroyed and orchards replanted at great cost.Citrus canker has been found in Australia more than once before, and each time it was eradicated after years of effort. It was found to have invaded again in April 2018, in Darwin, Northern Territory and later it was found to have spread to northern Western Australia.

✅Explanation: Deficiency symptoms of potassium first appear on older or lower leaves of a plant. Potassium is a macronutrient essential for various physiological processes in plants, including enzyme activation, osmoregulation, and the synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins. When a plant experiences a deficiency in potassium, it tends to mobilize this nutrient from older leaves to younger tissues, leading to symptoms primarily appearing in the older leaves.

✅Explanation: Quintals per hectare is a unit commonly used to express the productivity or yield of crops. In the context of agriculture, the cost of production is often calculated in terms of the amount of the crop produced per hectare. This measure helps farmers and policymakers assess the economic efficiency of agricultural practices.

✅Explanation: The seed rate for maize typically ranges from 17 to 20 kg per hectare. This range varies depending on factors such as seed quality, planting method, soil type, and desired plant population. A higher seed rate might be used in areas with poor soil quality or in regions with high pest or disease pressure.

✅Explanation: A no-till planter is specifically designed for the process of sowing seeds without prior ploughing or tillage of the soil. In traditional agriculture, ploughing is a common practice to prepare the soil for planting by turning it over and breaking up the soil surface. However, a no-till planter eliminates the need for ploughing or tilling. Instead, it directly places seeds into untilled soil, helping to conserve soil structure, reduce erosion, and minimize soil disturbance.📌Other Options Explanations:Ploughing, harrowing, and weeding are traditional tillage practices that disturb the soil, which is contrary to the no-till principle.Harvesting is the process of gathering mature crops, and it's typically done with combines or other harvesting machinery.

✅Explanation: Aluminium phosphide is a compound commonly used as a rodenticide. It releases phosphine gas, which is highly toxic to rodents. This gas interferes with cellular respiration, leading to the death of the target pests. While it is primarily used as a rodenticide to control rodent populations, it is not used as a fungicide, weedicide, herbicide, or insecticide.📌Other Options Explanations:Fungicides are used to control fungal diseases in plants.Weedicides are used to kill unwanted plants, or weeds.Herbicides are a type of weedicide.Insecticides are used to kill insects.

✅Explanation: The Khapra Beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is a notorious pest that primarily infests stored food grains. This beetle is particularly known for its destructive impact on stored cereals and grains, including wheat, rice, barley, and other similar food commodities. The larvae of the Khapra Beetle feed on the stored grains and can cause significant damage, leading to losses in stored food supplies. Due to its ability to damage and contaminate large quantities of grains, the Khapra Beetle is a major concern in grain storage facilities and poses a threat to food security.

✅ Explanation: India is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of onions. The country's diverse climate and fertile soil make it suitable for onion cultivation throughout the year. India exports onions to various countries, especially neighboring nations and Gulf countries. The demand for Indian onions is high due to their quality, flavor, and affordability.

Explanation: Agrifound is a superior variety of onion. The variety has two types-Agrifound Dark Red: Bulbs are dark red,globular round in shape, 4-6 cm in size withtight skin and moderately pungent. Cropmatures in 90-100 days after transplanting. Bulbs contain11-120B total soluble solids, 13-14% dry matter and 10.07 micro mole/g pyruvic acid. The variety gives an averageyield of 300 q/ha. It has been notified by the Govt. of India for growing in kharif season.Agrifound Light Red: Bulbs are attractive light red, globular round in shape with reddish thickinner scales. Crop matures in 110-120 days after transplanting. Keeping quality of bulbs is good. They contain 130B total soluble solids, 14-15%dry matter and12.20 micro mole/gpyruvic acid.The variety gives an average yield of 300-350 q/ha. It has been notified by the Govt. of India for growing in rabi season.📌Other Options Explanations:JBL1, Kufri Jyoti, and JG11 are varieties of potato.

✅ Explanation: Uttar Pradesh is the leading state in India in terms of both potato production and area under potato cultivation. The state's favorable climatic conditions and fertile soil make it ideal for potato cultivation.

✅ Explanation: The Central Agricultural University (CAU) is located in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. It's one of the premier agricultural universities in India, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in agriculture and allied sciences.

✅ Explanation: Kinnow is a famous variety of Mandarin. It is a hybrid citrus fruit, a cross between a 'King' mandarin and a 'Willow Leaf' variety of orange. Kinnow is known for its sweet and tangy flavor, as well as its easy-to-peel skin. It is cultivated primarily in India and Pakistan and has gained popularity for its delicious taste and high vitamin C content.

✅ Explanation: Delinting of cotton is the process of removing the cotton fibers from the seeds and separating them from the adhering lint. This is commonly done using sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The acid treatment helps in breaking down and removing the fibers surrounding the cotton seeds.🔑Key PointsDelinting of cotton seed is the process of removal of hair like growth known as fuzz.This helps in grading the seed and kills hibernating insect stages.Concentrated H2SO4 at the rate of 100ml / kg of seed is used for deliniting of cotton seed.It makes seed easy to sow and germinate.

✅ Explanation: Dashari is indeed one of the most popular varieties of mangoes in North India. It is known for its sweet and juicy taste, making it a favorite among mango enthusiasts. Dashari mangoes are typically medium to large in size, with a distinct aroma and a pleasant flavor. The variety is widely cultivated in the northern parts of India, including regions like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.📌Other Options Explanations:Langda: A popular variety in West Bengal and Odisha.Alphonso: Known as the "King of Mangoes," primarily grown in Maharashtra.Neelam: A late-season variety, popular in South India.

✅ Explanation: Thompson Seedless is a famous variety of grape in India. This grape variety is widely cultivated for table consumption and raisin production. The grapes are green, seedless, and have a sweet flavour, making them popular among consumers. They are used both for fresh consumption and for drying to produce raisins.📌Other Options Explanations:Honeydew: A type of melon.Nawab e shahi: A variety of mango.Kinnow: A citrus fruit, similar to a mandarin orange.Neelam: A variety of mango.🔑Key Points:Thompson seedless is a variety of Grapes.It is also called sultanina.It is a white oval shape seedless variety of grapes.Maharashtra is the state that produces the largest grapes in India.China is the largest country to grow grapes in the world.Additional InformationGrape: Scientific Name: Vitis viniferaFamily: VitaceaeOrigin: Black to Caspian seaChromosome Number: 2n=38

✅ Explanation: Blackheart can develop around harvest, in storage and in transit as inside trucks. It is caused by an oxygen deficit at the center of the tuber. Oxygen deprivation results in asphyxiation, loss of respiration, and death of cells.🔑Key Points:Symptoms of black heart:Black heart is characterised by black colouration at the centre of the tuber.The affected tissues form clearly delineated spots, irregular in pattern, that remain quite firm and sometimes contain small cavities.With seed potato tubers, the diseased plants germinate badly and produce weak plants.It occurs when the soil is saturated with water or during very hot temperatures.A long exposure to temperatures of around 0°C can also cause the damage.Black heart is caused by a lack of oxygen or an excess of CO2

✅ Explanation: Infiltration refers to the process by which rainwater or water from any other source penetrates or filters through the soil surface and enters the soil.📌Other Options Explanations:Percolation: The downward movement of water through soil and rock.Evaporation: The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas.Transpiration: The process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere.🔑Key PointsThis process is essential for replenishing groundwater and maintaining the water cycle.Factors affecting infiltration include soil composition, vegetation cover, and land use.

✅ Explanation: Alkali soil is characterized by a high pH level, typically greater than 8.5. Soils with a pH above 7 are considered alkaline, and when the pH exceeds 8.5, it is specifically referred to as alkali soil. The high pH in alkali soil is often attributed to the presence of basic minerals, such as carbonates and bicarbonates.

✅ Explanation: Oat production can vary based on factors such as climate, soil conditions, agricultural practices, and regional differences.The given data of 2-3 tonnes suggests the yield of oats per hectare in India in the year 2016.

✅ Explanation: The Vasantrao Naik Award is conferred for the "Best Research in Dryland Farming." This award is named after Vasantrao Naik, who was an Indian politician and served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The award recognizes outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of research related to dryland farming practices.

✅ Explanation: Capillary water is held in the capillary pores (micro pores). Capillary water is retained on the soil particles by surface forces. It is held so strongly that gravity cannot remove it from the soil particles. The molecules of capillary water are free and mobile and are present in a liquid state. Due to this reason, it evaporates easily at ordinary temperature though it is held firmly by the soil particle; plant roots are able to absorb it. Capillary water is, therefore, known as available water. The capillary water is held between 1/3 and 31 atmosphere pressure.📌Other Options Explanations:Hygroscopic Water: This is water held tightly by soil particles and is not readily available to plants.Total Water: This refers to the total amount of water in the soil, including both available and unavailable water.Gravitational Water: This is water that drains freely through the soil due to gravity.🔑Key Points:Capillary water is held in the capillary pores (micro pores).Capillary water is retained on the soil particles by surface forces.It is held so strongly that gravity cannot remove it from the soil particles. Capillary water is also known as available water.The capillary water is held between 1/3 and 31 atmosphere pressure.

✅ Explanation: The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences is a scientific journal that publishes research articles and papers related to agricultural sciences. It is typically published quarterly, meaning it is released four times a year.

✅ Explanation: Pramalini is a variety of Kagzi lime, which is a type of citrus fruit. Kagzi lime is known for its distinctive, thick, and bumpy skin. It is commonly used for culinary purposes, including in the preparation of beverages, culinary dishes, and as a flavoring agent.

✅ Explanation: The ideal time for grape cutting (pruning) is generally during the dormant season when the grapevines are not actively growing. This period allows for the removal of unwanted growth and shaping of the vines. In many grape-growing regions, the recommended time for grape cutting or pruning is during the months of October to November. This timing varies slightly depending on the specific climate and grape variety.

✅ Explanation: The spacing of apple trees is an important consideration in orchard management. The recommended spacing for apple trees can vary based on factors such as the apple variety, rootstock, and local growing conditions. The spacing of apple trees is 5 meters by 5M × 5M .This means that the distance between each apple tree should be 5 meters both longitudinally and latitudinally.

✅ Explanation: High-density planting in banana involves planting the banana plants at closer spacing to maximize land utilization and increase productivity. The specified spacing for high-density planting in banana is often around 1.2 meters by 1.2 meters (1.2M × 1.2M). This close spacing allows for more plants per unit area, leading to increased yield.

✅ Explanation: Micropropagation is a plant propagation technique in which small plant parts, such as shoot tips or nodal segments, are cultured in vitro to produce numerous genetically identical plants. Micropropagation is commonly used in various fruit crops, including Jack-fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus). This technique allows for the rapid multiplication of desirable plant varieties.

✅ Explanation: Die-back in citrus trees is a condition where the branches or shoots of the tree die from the tip backward towards the trunk. The die-back in citrus is often associated with copper (Cu) deficiency. Copper is an essential micronutrient for plants, and its deficiency can lead to various physiological disorders, including die-back.🔑Key Points:Dieback in citrus:Citrus decline, commonly known as ‘dieback’ is also known as ‘chlorosis’ is caused due to deficiency of Copper (Cu).The extent of decline increases with the age of plant and after 20-25 days affected plants become uneconomical.Declining plants are noticed with general sickness, chlorotic leaves, twigs drying and premature leaf fall, reduced fruit size, sudden/gradual dieback of the plants.

✅ Explanation: Primary tillage involves the initial soil preparation before planting crops. It aims to break up the soil, incorporate crop residues, and prepare a suitable seedbed. The primary tillage implement mentioned in the options is a "Wooden plough." A plough, typically made of wood or metal, is used to turn over and loosen the soil, making it ready for planting.📌Other Options Explanations:Harvester, Thresher, and Winnower: These are secondary tillage implements used for harvesting, threshing, and separating grains from chaff, respectively. They are used after the primary tillage has been completed.

✅ Explanation: An egg parasitoid is an organism that lays its eggs in or on the eggs of another insect, leading to the parasitism of the host insect's eggs. Trichogramma is a genus of tiny wasps that are widely used as biological control agents in agriculture. They are known as egg parasitoids because their larvae develop inside the eggs of various insect pests, preventing the hatching of the pest larvae.📌Other Options Explanations:VAM (Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza): A type of fungus that forms symbiotic relationships with plant roots, improving nutrient uptake.Tricoderma: A genus of fungi that can parasitize other fungi, acting as a biological control agent for soil-borne diseases.Mycorrhiza: A symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots.

✅ Explanation: Aamrapali is a popular variety of mango, and it is known for its delicious taste and aroma. The specified planting density for Aamrapali is mentioned as 1600 plants/ha. This indicates the recommended number of Aamrapali mango plants to be planted per hectare.📌Other Options Explanations:Alphonso: Its prized for its superior taste.Dashehari: it has a medium to large tree size and lower yield potential compared to dwarf varieties.Banganapalli: This variety is known for its large fruit size and good yield potential.🔑Key Points:Amrapali:This hybrid is from a cross of Dashehari and Neelum.It is dwarf, regular bearing and late maturing variety.The variety is suitable for high density planting as about 1600 plants may be planted in a hectare.It yields on an average of 16 tonnes/hectare.Other dwarf varieties: Arka Aruna, Manjeera.

✅ Explanation: The correct answer is (a) Nafed (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd). Nafed is one of the prominent agricultural marketing organizations in India. It plays a crucial role in promoting cooperative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit farmers. Nafed operates as a multi-state cooperative society and is involved in various activities related to agricultural marketing, procurement, processing, and distribution.📌Other Options Explanations:CREDA: Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited is a credit rating agency in India.NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development is a development financial institution focused on rural development.APEDA: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority is an apex body for the export promotion of agricultural and processed food products from India.ATMA: Agricultural Technology Management Agency is a state-level agency responsible for technology transfer and extension services in agriculture.

✅ Explanation: Fumigation is considered one of the most effective methods for controlling stored grain pests. It involves the use of gaseous fumigants to kill or control pests in stored grains. Fumigants penetrate the stored grain mass, reaching all parts of the storage facility and effectively controlling a wide range of insect pests and their life stages.

✅ Explanation: Little leaf in litchi is often associated with a deficiency of zinc (Zn). Zinc deficiency can lead to symptoms such as stunted growth, smaller and distorted leaves, and interveinal chlorosis, which are characteristic of little leaf disorder.

✅ Explanation: Die-back of citrus is often associated with a deficiency of copper (Cu). Copper deficiency in citrus trees can lead to symptoms such as dieback of shoot tips, wilting, and twig dieback.🔑Key Points:Dieback in citrus:Citrus decline, commonly known as ‘dieback’ is also known as ‘chlorosis’ is caused due to deficiency of Copper (Cu).The extent of decline increases with the age of plant and after 20-25 days affected plants become uneconomical.Declining plants are noticed with general sickness, chlorotic leaves, twigs drying and premature leaf fall, reduced fruit size, sudden/gradual dieback of the plants.

✅ Explanation: Agmark is a certification mark employed on agricultural products in India, including food and non-food items. The main function of Agmark is to ensure and maintain the quality of agricultural commodities.

Explanation:Pusa Ruby is one of the most popular tomato varieties in India, particularly for commercial cultivation. It is known for its:High yield: Produces a large number of fruits per plant.Disease resistance: Tolerant to various diseases like leaf curl and fruit borer.Uniform fruit size: Produces fruits of consistent size and shape.Good shelf life: Fruits can be stored for a longer period without significant deterioration.Wide adaptability: Can be grown in various climatic conditions.📌Other Options Explanations:Pusa Purple Round: Known for its unique purple color and antioxidant properties.Babydoll: A smaller variety, often used for salads and snacking.Pusa Giant: A large-fruited variety.

✅ Explanation:Dasheri mangoes are a popular summer variety, typically available in the Indian market between May and August. They are known for their sweet, fibrous flesh and distinctive aroma.📌Other Options Explanations:Amrapali: This variety is harvested later, usually in July and August.Alphonso: A winter variety, primarily available from February to April.

✅ Explanation: Glycogen is the main storage polysaccharide in animal cells. It is a complex carbohydrate that serves as a form of energy storage in animals, particularly in the liver and muscles.🔑Key PointsThe carbohydrates are stored in the animal body as glycogen. It is also known as animal starch because its structure is similar to amylopectin and is rather more highly branched.It is present in the liver, muscles, and brain and is found in yeast and fungi.When the body needs glucose, enzymes break the glycogen down to glucose. Polysaccharides contain a large number of monosaccharide units joined together by the glycosidic linkages. These are the most commonly encountered carbohydrates in nature.They mainly act as food storage or structural materials.

✅ Explanation:The Fertilizer Association of India (FAI) is a leading industry body representing the fertilizer industry in India. It publishes the Indian Journal of Fertilizers, a quarterly journal that covers a wide range of topics related to fertilizers, including:Fertilizer technology: Advances in fertilizer production and application techniques.Soil fertility: Nutrient management and soil health.Crop nutrition: Plant nutrient requirements and fertilizer recommendations.Policy and regulations: Government policies and regulations affecting the fertilizer industry.Research and development: Latest research findings and innovations in the fertilizer sector.📌Other Options Explanations:NDRI (National Dairy Research Institute): Focuses on dairy research and technology.IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute): Deals with veterinary research and animal sciences.IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute): Conducts agricultural research and development.ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research): An apex body for agricultural research and education in India.

✅ Explanation:Pusa Himani is a popular radish variety known for its adaptability to various climatic conditions. It can be grown throughout the year, making it a versatile crop for farmers. Its key features include:Year-round cultivation: Can be grown in both winter and summer seasons.Quick maturity: Has a short life cycle, allowing for multiple harvests.Disease resistance: Tolerant to common radish diseases.Good market demand: Popular among consumers due to its crisp texture and mild flavor.📌Other Options Explanations:Pusa Giant, Pusa Red, Pusa Nanha: These varieties are typically grown in winter seasons due to their specific climatic requirements.

✅ Explanation:Whiteflies are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can cause significant damage to chili plants, leading to leaf curl and stunted growth. When whiteflies feed on plant sap, they inject toxic substances that cause leaves to curl, turn yellow, and eventually drop. Additionally, whiteflies can transmit plant viruses, further exacerbating the damage.📌Other Options Explanations:Weevil, Khapra Beetle, White Grub, and Gram Caterpillar: These pests primarily affect stored grains and other crops

✅ Explanation: Drip irrigation is known for its efficiency in water use, reducing soil erosion, and controlling weed growth. The statement about low fertilizer use efficiency is incorrect. Drip irrigation is designed to provide efficient and precise application of both water and fertilizers, ensuring that plants receive the necessary nutrients.🔑Key Points:Drip Irrigation: It is also called Trickle irrigation; it is the latest field irrigation technique which is meant for adoption at places where there is a huge scarcity of irrigation water and other salt problems. In this method, water is slowly applied and directly applied to the root zone of the plant, thereby minimizing the losses by evaporation and percolation.Sprinkler irrigation method, water is applied to the soil in the form of spray through the network of pipes. It is a very costly method and is widely used in the USA.Border flooding method, the land is divided into a number of strips, separated by low levees called borders. This method is very famous among cultivators.

✅ Explanation: Propping is a horticultural practice involving the use of support or stakes to hold up the branches or fruit bunches of plants like banana. In banana cultivation, propping is often done to provide support to the heavy bunches of bananas, preventing them from bending or breaking due to their weight.

✅ Explanation: Sheep are small in size, and are found in Kishtwar and Bhadarwah tehsils of Jammu. A large number inhabit the Kulu valleys in HP winter, and in summer they graze the highest elevations of them Pir Panjal Mountains, mostly in the Paddar range. Rams are horned, ewes hornless; fleece is generally white with brown coloured hair on the face. Wool is fine and lustrous; average annual yield is 1.13 kg per sheep, clipped thrice a year. A part of this clip is sent to Dhariwal mills and Amritsar markets. Undercoat is used for the manufacture of high quality Kulu shawls and blankets.📌Other Options Explanations:Barberi: While Barberi sheep produce good quality wool. It's more suited for making woolen garments.Chanthangi: Chanthangi wool is fine and soft.Chokla: Chokla wool is coarse.

✅ Explanation: Ganga Safeda is a popular early-maturing maize variety known for its quick growth cycle and high yield potential. It is well-suited for cultivation in regions with shorter growing seasons.📌Other Options Explanations:Lucknow Safeda: Also a good variety of maize.K-25: K-25 is a hybrid maize variety known for its high yield potential.