- In plant breeding programs, hybrid vigor, also known as heterosis, refers to:
a) Inbreeding depression
b) Enhanced performance of hybrid offspring
c) Genetic uniformity of offspring
d) Reduced resistance to pests
Answer: b) Enhanced performance of hybrid offspring
Explanation:
Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, occurs when the offspring of genetically diverse parents show superior qualities such as faster growth, higher yield, or greater resistance to diseases and environmental stress compared to their parents.
- Which of the following crops has been successfully improved using biofortification techniques to enhance iron and zinc content?
a) Wheat
b) Potato
c) Pearl millet
d) Soybean
Answer: c) Pearl millet
Explanation:
Pearl millet has been biofortified to increase its iron and zinc content. This helps combat nutrient deficiencies, particularly in regions where millet is a staple food.
- Which of the following organisms is commonly used as a biocontrol agent to manage caterpillar pests in agriculture?
a) Bacillus thuringiensis
b) Rhizobium
c) Azotobacter
d) Lactobacillus
Answer: a) Bacillus thuringiensis
Explanation:
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium that produces toxins harmful to certain insect pests, particularly caterpillars. Bt is widely used as a biocontrol agent in agriculture to reduce pest populations without harming beneficial organisms.
- The process of producing a disease-free variety of plants by growing them in a controlled, sterile environment using tissue culture is called:
a) Micropropagation
b) Grafting
c) Mutation breeding
d) Hybridization
Answer: a) Micropropagation
Explanation:
Micropropagation is the technique of growing plants in vitro from small tissue samples in a sterile environment. It is commonly used to produce disease-free plants on a large scale.
- Which one of the following is not a commonly used biofertilizer?
a) Azolla
b) Rhizobium
c) Mycorrhiza
d) DDT
Answer: d) DDT
Explanation:
DDT is a chemical pesticide and is not a biofertilizer. Biofertilizers, such as Azolla, Rhizobium, and Mycorrhiza, are living organisms that enhance soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen or improving nutrient availability to plants.
- Which of the following is a major advantage of organic farming over conventional farming?
a) Higher use of synthetic fertilizers
b) Higher yield in all crops
c) Reduced environmental pollution
d) Increased use of chemical pesticides
Answer: c) Reduced environmental pollution
Explanation:
Organic farming relies on natural processes and inputs, avoiding synthetic chemicals, which helps reduce environmental pollution and enhance biodiversity. Organic practices improve soil health and promote sustainability.
- In dairy farming, which hormone is commonly administered to cattle to increase milk production?
a) Prolactin
b) Oxytocin
c) Insulin
d) Bovine somatotropin (BST)
Answer: d) Bovine somatotropin (BST)
Explanation:
Bovine somatotropin (BST) is a hormone used in dairy farming to stimulate increased milk production in cattle. It enhances the metabolic processes involved in milk synthesis.
- The Green Revolution was primarily associated with the development and use of:
a) Genetically modified crops
b) High-yielding varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice
c) Organic farming methods
d) Traditional agriculture
Answer: b) High-yielding varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice
Explanation:
The Green Revolution was marked by the development of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice, along with the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and improved irrigation methods, which significantly increased food production.
- Which type of breeding involves the introduction of a desired gene into a plant from a different species or genus?
a) Inbreeding
b) Cross-breeding
c) Genetic engineering
d) Mutation breeding
Answer: c) Genetic engineering
Explanation:
Genetic engineering involves the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome, including the introduction of genes from different species or genera to impart new traits, such as pest resistance or enhanced nutritional value.
- Which of the following is a key characteristic of an open-pollinated variety (OPV) of crops?
a) They require genetic engineering
b) They maintain genetic diversity
c) They are sterile and cannot reproduce
d) They are produced by cloning
Answer: b) They maintain genetic diversity
Explanation:
Open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) are plants that reproduce naturally through cross-pollination, allowing for genetic diversity and adaptability to changing environmental conditions.
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