CIVILS MAINS 2013

AGRICULTURE PAPER II

TIme Allowed: Three Hours
Maximum Marks: 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions.

There are EIGHT questions divided into two SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FNE questions in all.

Question No.1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission certificate which must be stated. clearly on the cover oflhis Question-cum-Answer booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.

Any page or portion of the page left blank in the answer book must be clearly struck off.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in chronological order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly.


SECTION

1. Answer the following questions in maximum of 150 words each: IOx5=50

Discuss the usefulness offield inspection for seed certification.

Briefly describe the molecular mechanisms involved in heterosis.

Discuss the usefulness of autopolyploidy in crop improvement.

Which measure of heritability (broad sense or narrow sense) wi11 be appropriate for selection in a mixture ofhomozygous lines and for segregating generations. Explain the basis for your answer.

Briefly describe the salient features of cytoplasmic inheritance, and give the reasons therefor.


2. Discuss/Explain the reasons for the fo11owing in maximum of 200 words each:

Purelines become genetically variable with time.

futerspecific hybrids show variable degrees of sterility.

Horizontal disease resistance is preferable to vertical resistance.

Cross-pollinated species show more inbreeding depression than self-pollinated species.


3. Write short notes on the following (maximum of 200 words each)

The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer's Rights Act (2001).

Classes of improved seed.

Genetically modified food.

Sex-influenced and sex-limited characters.


4. Explain the following in maximum of 200 words each:

Usefulness of somatic hybridization for creating genetic variation.

Genetic consequences of repeated backcrossing.

DNA fingerprinting in plant variety registration/protection.

Transgenic plants for disease/insect resistance.


SECTION

5. Briefly descnoe the following in 150 words each: IOx5=50

The mechanisms ofion transport across membranes.

The relative responses of photosynthesis in C3 and C4 plants to temperature and CO2 concentration.

The roles ofcuring and degreening in reducing post-harvest losses offruits and vegetables.

Woolly apple aphid and its control.

Various methods ofplanting onions, and post-harvest management ofonions.


6. Describe/Explain the following in 200 words each (maximum)

Mechanism of translocation of water from roots to leaves.

Powdery mildew of rose and its control.

Effects of dormant pruning on trees.

Use ofroot stocks in apple cultivation.


7. Write short notes on the following in 200 words each (maximum)

Water potential of plant cells.

Fermentation for fruit and vegetable preservation.

Cotton whitefly and its control.

Canliflower cultivation under the following heads transplanting and post-harvest management.


8. "Discuss the following in 200 words each (maximum)

Biochemical functions of Nand K in plants.

Role ofgibberellins in plant growth and development.

Preservation offruits and vegetables by sugar.

The strengths and weaknesses of the public distribution system in India.