IBPS PO General Awareness: Agriculture questions with solutions

Q1. Per drop more crop is a component of which of the following schemes?

1. PMFBY
2. PMKSY
3. PKVY
4. RKVY

Answer: PMKSY

"Per drop more crop" is a slogan under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). It emphasizes micro-irrigation and efficient use of water in agriculture. Hence, PMKSY is the correct answer.

Q2. What is the process of separating a calf from its mother known as?

1. Grazing
2. Milking
3. Weaning
4. Fostering

Answer: Weaning

The process of gradually separating a calf from its mother and shifting it away from milk dependence is called weaning. The other options refer to different animal-related activities.

Q3. Flowering and fruit setting is the sensitive stage of which of the following crops?

1. Soybean
2. Cotton
3. Tomato
4. Chillies

Answer: Tomato

Flowering and fruit setting are highly sensitive stages in tomato because stress at this time can reduce pollination and fruit development. Hence, tomato is the correct answer.

Q4. Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research is located in which of the following states?

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Karnataka
3. Andhra Pradesh
4. Odisha

Answer: Uttar Pradesh

The Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research is located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It is a premier institute for sugarcane research and development.

Q5. Which of the following crops is known as white gold?

1. Radish
2. Sugarcane
3. Mushroom
4. Cotton

Answer: Cotton

Cotton is commonly called "white gold" because of its high economic value and white fibre. It is a major commercial crop and an important raw material for the textile industry. Hence, the correct answer is Cotton.

Q6. Which of the following crops is moderately tolerant to salt?

1. Barley
2. Almond
3. Apricot
4. Potato

Answer: Barley

Barley is known to be moderately tolerant to salinity. The other options are not typically classified as moderately salt-tolerant crops in standard agriculture references.

Q7. What is the planting time period for hill banana?

1. August - September
2. April - May
3. Jan - Feb
4. Feb - April

Answer: April - May

Hill banana (also called wild banana or varieties grown in hilly/tribal regions like Poovan in North-east India) is planted during April-May, which is the pre-monsoon period. This allows the plants to utilize monsoon rains for establishment and growth.

Q8. White tag is used for

1. Breeder seed
2. Foundation seed
3. Nucleus seed
4. Registered seed

Answer: Registered seed

In seed certification, different tag colors indicate different classes of seed. White tag is used for registered seed. The other options correspond to earlier seed classes in the seed chain.

Q9. Which of the following acts as a trap crop for onion leafminer?

1. Cucumber
2. Tomato
3. Fennel
4. Beans

Answer: Fennel

Fennel is used as a trap crop for onion leafminer because it attracts the pest and helps protect the main onion crop. Trap cropping is a component of integrated pest management.

Q10. What is the capacity of a power harrow?

1. 1.0 ha/day
2. 1.5 ha/day
3. 2.5 ha/day
4. 2.0 ha/day

Answer: 2.5 ha/day

A power harrow is a farm implement used for seedbed preparation, and its standard capacity is commonly given as 2.5 hectares per day in exam-oriented agriculture facts. Hence, the correct option is 2.5 ha/day.

Q11. Which state has the maximum area under Pineapple cultivation?

1. Maharashtra
2. Assam
3. Meghalaya
4. Chattisgarh

Answer: Meghalaya

Meghalaya leads in pineapple cultivation area in India. The state's Kew and Queen varieties are well-known. Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts are the primary zones.

Q12. What is the name for a male goat capable of breeding?

1. Drake
2. Duck
3. Buck
4. Wether

Answer: Buck

Buck = intact male goat capable of reproducing. Wether = castrated male goat. Drake = male duck. Duck = female duck (also species name). Answer: Buck.

Q13. What is the pH of saline-alkali soil?

1. >4
2. >8.5
3. 7.5
4. 6.5

Answer: >8.5

Saline-alkali soil contains excess soluble salts and exchangeable sodium, making it alkaline. Such soils generally have a pH greater than 8.5.

Q14. Passage: Agriculture has been the backbone of human civilization for centuries, providing food, raw materials, and economic stability. Farmers around the world cultivate various crops, including wheat, rice, maize, and vegetables. One of the major challenges in farming is the constant threat posed by insects and pests. These tiny creatures, though small in size, can cause immense destruction to crops, leading to significant financial losses for farmers. Insects such as aphids, caterpillars, locusts, and beetles attack crops at different stages of growth, feeding on leaves, stems, roots, and even fruits. Some pests, like the fall armyworm, can destroy entire fields of maize within weeks, leaving farmers helpless. Others, such as the brown planthopper, damage rice crops by sucking the plant's sap and transmitting deadly plant diseases. The damage caused by these pests not only reduces crop yield but also affects the quality of the produce, making it unsuitable for consumption or sale. If left unchecked, this infestation can lead to a significant decline in agricultural production, further impacting food supply chains and market stability. To combat this growing problem, various pest control methods have been used, including chemical pesticides. While pesticides are effective, excessive use can lead to environmental pollution, soil degradation, and harm to beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. In recent years, a more sustainable approach has gained attention: biological pest control. One such method involves introducing natural predators to control pest populations. One of the most successful examples of biological pest control is the introduction of a species of wasp from Asia to combat destructive agricultural pests. These wasps are parasitic in nature, laying their eggs inside harmful insects such as caterpillars and aphids. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the pests from the inside, ultimately killing them. This natural method has proven highly effective in reducing pest populations without harming the environment. For farmers, this solution has been a game-changer, reducing losses and protecting crops in an eco-friendly way. While challenges remain in large-scale implementation, integrating such natural methods with modern farming practices can ensure sustainable agriculture and food security for the future. What is the main drawback of using chemical pesticides for pest control?

1. They fail to control pests effectively and lead to economic losses for farmers.
2. They lead to excessive crop growth, making harvesting difficult for farmers.
3. They make crops inedible and unfit for human consumption due to toxicity.
4. They harm the environment, degrade soil quality, and affect beneficial insects.

Answer: They harm the environment, degrade soil quality, and affect beneficial insects.

The passage clearly states that excessive use of chemical pesticides can cause environmental pollution, soil degradation, and harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. That is the main drawback mentioned.

Q15. Which of the following states in India has the highest area under acidic soils?

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Punjab
4. Haryana

Answer: Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh has extensive acidic soils due to high rainfall, leaching, and forested terrain. The other options are largely dominated by neutral to alkaline soils.

Q16. As per the Horticulture 2nd Advance Estimate 2023–24, which of the following commodities are ranked in decreasing order of production?

1. Plantation > Fruits > Vegetables > Spices > Flowers
2. Vegetables > Fruits > Plantation > Spices > Flowers
3. Spices > Fruits > Vegetables > Plantation > Flowers
4. Fruits > Vegetables > Spices > Plantation > Flowers

Answer: Vegetables > Fruits > Plantation > Spices > Flowers

According to the Horticulture 2nd Advance Estimate 2023–24, vegetables have the highest production among the listed commodities, followed by fruits, plantation crops, spices, and flowers. So the decreasing order is vegetables > fruits > plantation > spices > flowers.

Q17. Which of the following statements is correct about the impact of pests on agriculture?

1. Pests primarily attack mature crops and have little impact on seedlings or young plants.
2. The brown planthopper damages rice crops by feeding on plant sap and spreading diseases.
3. Farmers have completely eliminated pest-related losses through advanced chemical pesticides.
4. The fall armyworm only affects maize crops in tropical regions and not in temperate areas.

Answer: The brown planthopper damages rice crops by feeding on plant sap and spreading diseases.

The passage explicitly states that the brown planthopper damages rice crops by sucking the plant's sap and transmitting plant diseases. The other options either contradict the passage or make unsupported claims. Therefore, option B is correct.

Q18. Yellow Revolution is related to which of the following?

1. Oil seeds
2. Jute production
3. Solar energy
4. Silk production

Answer: Oil seeds

Yellow Revolution refers to the increase in oilseed production in India, launched in 1986-90 under the Technology Mission on Oilseeds (TMO). Green Revolution=food grains; White Revolution=milk; Blue Revolution=fish; Golden Revolution=horticulture/honey.

Q19. Which of the following is the method of sowing seeds in which seeds are scattered in the field?

1. Scatter sowing
2. Dibbling
3. Broadcasting
4. Transplanting

Answer: Broadcasting

Broadcasting is the method of sowing in which seeds are scattered uniformly over the field. Dibbling means placing seeds in holes, while transplanting involves moving seedlings to the field.

Q20. What is the focal agent in agricultural extension?

1. Farmer
2. Extension Agent
3. Extension Technique
4. Physical Technique

Answer: Extension Agent

In agricultural extension, the extension agent is the central person who communicates innovations, advice, and support to farmers. Hence, the focal agent is the extension agent.

Q21. Which of the following crops is suitable for crop rotation to enrich soil deficiency of nitrogen?

1. Wheat
2. Maize
3. Alfalfa
4. Napier grass

Answer: Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a leguminous crop, and legumes host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. This helps enrich the soil with nitrogen, making it suitable for crop rotation.

Q22. What is the term for the progeny of breeder seed produced by recognized agencies, such as government bodies, ICAR, and state government organizations, to ensure quality is maintained according to prescribed field and seed standards?

1. Foundation Seed
2. Certified Seed
3. Nucleus Seed
4. Breeder Seed

Answer: Foundation Seed

Foundation seed is the progeny of breeder seed and is produced by recognized agencies to maintain genetic purity and quality. It is used for producing certified seed.

Q23. Which of the following is a weather factor that affects crop production?

1. Temperature
2. pH
3. Chlorophyll
4. Nutrients

Answer: Temperature

Temperature is a weather factor and directly influences crop growth and yield. pH and nutrients are soil-related factors, while chlorophyll is a plant pigment. Therefore, temperature is the correct answer.

Q24. Which branch of agriculture deals with soil, water, and crop management?

1. Soil Science
2. Agronomy
3. Pomology
4. Sericulture

Answer: Agronomy

Agronomy is the branch of agriculture that deals with the scientific management of soil, water, and crops. It focuses on improving crop production through better field practices.

Q25. The cultivation and production of crops have evolved significantly over time, ______ by changing agricultural practices, economic demands, and dietary preferences.

1. determined
2. associated
3. influenced
4. understood

Answer: influenced

The sentence says crop cultivation and production have changed because of agricultural practices, economic demands, and dietary preferences. 'Influenced' correctly means affected by these factors. The other options do not fit the intended meaning.

Q26. Which of the following acts regulates the market of agricultural products in India?

1. Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937
2. National Food Security Act, 2013
3. Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act enacted by respective States
4. FSSAI Act, 2006

Answer: Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act enacted by respective States

Agricultural markets in India are regulated mainly through APMC laws enacted by individual states. These laws control the functioning of mandis and the sale of agricultural produce. The other options relate to grading, food security, or food safety, not market regulation.

Q27. Which of the following is commonly used for the cryopreservation of seeds?

1. Liquid Nitrogen
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
3. Dry Ice
4. Ethanol

Answer: Liquid Nitrogen

Cryopreservation is the preservation of biological material at very low temperatures. Liquid nitrogen is commonly used because it can maintain temperatures around -196b0C. The other options are not suitable for long-term cryogenic storage.

Q28. In which of the extension education methods do demonstrations show farmers how to do something, such as planting seeds in a line, using a mechanical duster, or carrying out interculture operations?

1. Result Demonstration
2. Front Line Demonstration
3. Method Demonstration
4. Line Demonstration

Answer: Method Demonstration

Method demonstration is used to teach farmers how to perform a specific agricultural practice step by step. It focuses on the technique or method, unlike result demonstration which shows the outcome of a practice.

Q29. Lancing is practiced in which crop?

1. Groundnut
2. Sesamum
3. Okra
4. Opium

Answer: Opium

Lancing is the process of making incisions on the capsule of opium poppy to collect latex. Therefore, it is practiced in opium cultivation.

Q30. FAO has endorsed India’s proposal to declare the year ______ as the "Year of Millets".

1. 2025
2. 2023
3. 2024
4. 2022

Answer: 2023

The FAO endorsed India’s proposal for the International Year of Millets in 2023. Hence, the blank is 2023.

Q31. Which of the following on a tractor is a shaft that transmits power to external equipment?

1. Hydraulic Lift
2. Differential Lock
3. Power Take-Off (PTO) Shaft
4. Three Point Hitch

Answer: Power Take-Off (PTO) Shaft

The Power Take-Off (PTO) Shaft on a tractor is a shaft that transmits the engine's mechanical power to external attached implements (like threshers, harvesters, rotavators). It rotates when the PTO clutch is engaged.