Serial No. 0019
AGRICULTURE
Paper II·

INSTRUCTIONS
Candidates should attempt questions 1 and 5
which are compulsory, and any THREE of
the remaining questions selecting at least .
ONE question/rom each Seciion.
The number of miirks carried by each question
is indicated at the end of the question.
Answers must be written iti ENGLISH.
SECTION-A
Attempt any FOUR of the following in about 150 words
each 4xi0=40
(a)Briefly explain the concept of independent
assortment,and discuss the reasons for its failure. 10
(b)List the various systems of male sterility. Briefly
describe the two-line and three-line systems of
heterosis breeding giving suitable examples. 10
(c)Define isolation distance, and discuss its
significance in seed production with reference to
the mode of pollination of crops, giving suitable
examples. 10
(d)Define seed dormancy, and discuss its significance
for crop production. 10
(e)Explain the meaning of marker-assisted selection,
and briefly describe its unique advantages and the
important limitations. 10

Briefly discuss the various strategies for breaking
yield plateau: 10
(b)Explain the meaning of germplasm.Briefly describe
the various biotechnological approaches for
germplasm conservation. 10
What are modifying genes? Discuss their confusing
effects, and uses in crop improvement. 10
Give the meaning of truthful seed, and discuss its
significance to Indian agriculture. 10
3.Write short notes on the following in about 150 words
each:-
Complementation test
Genetic consequences of long-term seed storage
Guttation
Biotype differentiation. 4x10=40
Differentiate between the following in about 150 words
each:-
and C4 plants
(b)Micro- and mega-gametogenesis
(c)Broad and narrow sense heritability
(d)Pleiotropy and linkage. 4xl0=40

SECTION-B
I
5. Attempt any FOUR of the following in about 150 words
each:- 4x10=40
(a)Define graft incompatibility and explain its causes. 10
(b)Describe the ecological Classification of fruits with examples. 10
(c)Define hypersensitive reaction, and explain its mechanism. 10
(d)Define preservation of perishable crop produce,and explain its objectives. Briefly describe the
different methods of vegetable preservation. 10
Define 'economic threshold' for an insect pest, and
discuss its relevance to pest management. 10

6.Differentiate between the following. Support your
answers with specific examples
(a)Catabolism and anabolism
(b)Macro- and micro-nutrients of plants
(c)Maturity and ripening of fruits
Mycoparasitism and mycophagy. 4x10=40

7.Write short notes on the following, with specific
examples, in about 150 words each
(a)Nutritive value of Indian foods
(b)Respiratory changes during ripening of fruits
(c)Arid zone horticulture
(d)Granulation formation in citrus fruits. 4x10=40

8.(a)Describe the package of practices adopted in rose
flower production for export. 10
(b)What are the main constituents of fruits Describe
their role in human nutrition. 10
(c)Describe the potato production technology with
reference to varieties, nutritional requirements,
sowing time, seed rate and plant protection
methods. 10
(d)Briefly discuss the reasons for malnutrition among
the Indians. 10