Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10
Mains Questions of the day-
1.Discuss the achievements of ICAR in Crop Science.
Introduction:
Discuss the objectives of ICAR.
Body:
Mention the list of achievements of ICAR in the field of crop science.
Conclusion:
Write the way forward
Content:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare , Government of India.
Formerly known as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.
The ICAR has its headquarters at New Delhi. The Council is the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.
Thrust Areas of ICAR in Crop Science-
Harnessing conventional and modern scientific knowledge, tools, and cutting-edge of science for development of improved crop varieties/hybrids suited to diverse agro-ecologies and situations, and efficient, economic, eco-friendly and sustainable crop production and protection technologies; promoting excellence in basic, strategic and anticipatory crop science research
Refinement of seed-production technologies and production of breeder seed with added emphasis on hybrid cultivars
Conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources of plants, insects and other invertebrates, and agriculturally important microorganisms
Providing knowledge-intensive advisory and consultancy in crop-science
Achievements
Developed and released nearly 3,300 high-yielding varieties/hybrids of field crops for different agro-ecologies; facilitated verification and identification of technologies under the country-wide, synergistic network of All India Co ordinated Projects; these outputs ushered in the eras of green and yellow revolutions in mid1960s and mid-1990s, respectively; national average productivity raised by 2-4 folds in foodgrains, rapeseed-mustard and cotton since 1950-51
First in the world to develop hybrids in grain pearl millet and cotton in the 1970s; also developed hybrids in other crops, including non-conventional crops, such as castor, safflower, rice, pigeonpea and rapeseed-mustard; developed single cross hybrids in quality protein maize (QPM) and baby corn for high nutritional value in addition to high yield
Employed genes for stress resistance and quality in several crops from their wild relatives; developed early and suitable plant types for new niche areas and cropping systems in pulses and other crops; evolved effective male sterility systems for hybrid development in many crops
For the first time, successfully employed molecular marker assisted selection/pyramiding and backcross transfer of ‘xa13 , and ‘Xa21 , genes from IRBB 55 in the genetic background of Pusa Basmati 1; thus developed bacterial blast resistant variety Improved Pusa Basmati 1
Identified and isolated a gene conferring male sterility in mustard that is useful for hybrid development in other crops; developed a SCAR marker for fertility restorer gene
Cloned and characterized a gene ‘Pi-Kh’ that confers resistance to Blast disease; validated the gene in transgenic rice
Identification of novel Arabidopsis derived promoter that drives constitutive expression of foreign genes in transgenic plants
Isolated and cloned drought stress responsive transcription factors ‘TaCBF5’ and ‘TaCBF9’ from drought tolerant wheat variety C 306
Sequenced 6.7 million base pairs of long-arm of chromosome 11 of rice in a major global effort
DNA fingerprinting in 33 major crops; fingerprinted 2215 released varieties and landraces.
Conserved over 346,000 germplasm accessions of crops and their wild relatives at NBPGR, New Delhi, and 2, 517 microorganism cultures (394 bacterial, 2, 077 fungal, 36 Actinomycetes and 10 yeast accessions) at NBAIM, Mau; digitalized database of over 175,000 insect species at IARI, New Delhi
Established a mechanism of registration and documentation of potentially valuable plant germplasm at NBPGR, New Delhi; registered 482 accessions belonging to 77 plant species
Developed the bioinsecticide strain DOR Bt-l, registered and commercialized its formulation KNOCK W.P. along with a low-cost mass multiplication methodology for integrated management of semilooper caterpillar in a number of crops; developed endosulfan-tolerant strain of Trichogramma chilonis (Endograma); deployed Pest Management Information System including Interactive Kiosks for Basmati rice, cotton, mustard, chickpea and groundnut
Digitalized extant-notified varieties database using Indian Information System (INDUS) software; developed DUS test parameters for 35 crops for Indian conditions.
Doubled the seed production of improved varieties in a year amounting to 606,000 quintals during 2006-07 through a mega seed project; thus enhanced the transfer of released varieties for cultivation
2.Mention the list of useful plants and their utility to mankind.
Introduction:
Mention the overall usage of plants to humans.
Body:
Mention the names of various useful and harmful plants and their utility.
Conclusion:
Content:
Plants provide us with food, fiber, shelter, medicine, and fuel. The basic food for all organisms is produced by green plants. In the process of food production, oxygen is released. This oxygen, which we obtain from the air we breathe, is essential to life.
Here we have a list of scientific names of the common plants –
| Common Names | Scientific Names |
| Apple | Pyrus malus |
| Bamboo | Bamboosa aridinarifolia |
| Banana | Musa paradisicum |
| Banyan | Ficus benghalensis |
| Barley | Hordeum vulgare |
| Black Gram | Palsoes Mungo |
| Black Pepper | Piper nigrum |
| Brinjal | Solanum melongena |
| Capsicum | Capsicum fruitscence |
| Carrot | Daucas carota |
| Cashew nut | Anacardium occidentale |
| Clove | Syzygium aromaticum |
| Cotton | Gossypium herbaceum |
| Cucumber | Cucumis sativas |
| Curry leaf | Murraya koenigii |
| Drumstick | Moringa oleifera |
| Garlic | Allium sativum |
| Ginger | Zingiber officinale |
| Guava | Psidium guava |
| Lemon | Citrus limonium |
| Mango | Mangifera indica |
| Mint | Mentha arvensis |
| Money Plant, Devil’s Ivy | Epipremnum aureum |
| Neem | Azadhirachta indica |
| Onion | Allium cepa |
| Orange | Citrus aurantium |
| Pea | Pisum sativam |
| Peepal | Ficus religiosa Linn. |
| Pineapple | Ananus sativus |
| Potato | Solanum tubersum |
| Radish | Raphanus sativus |
| Rice | Oryza sativa |
| Rose | Rosa |
| Sandalwood | Santalum album |
| Spinach | Spinacia oleracea |
| Tobacco | Nicotina tobaccum |
| Tomato | Lycopersican esculentum |
| Tulsi | Ocimum sanctum |
| Turmeric | Curcuma longa |
| Watermelon | Citrullus vulgaris |
| Wheat | Triticum Aestivum |
Plants and Food
Plants are essential for human nutrition. Numerous plants and trees on this planet provide us with vegetables, fruits, seeds, species, essence, edible oils, beverages, and other food products.
Plants and Medicines
Plants are a great source of medicine. According to modern history, many life-threatening diseases were cured by preparing pastes from roots, herbs, barks, and different plants’ leaves. Aspirin, sandalwood, basil leaves, clove oil, and cinchona are a few examples of medicinal plants used even today in many pharmaceutical industries.
Plants and Industries
Besides food and medicines, plants and trees play an essential role in industries. Many raw materials are obtained by plants and giant trees used to produce various industrial products, including paper, spices, cosmetics, pencils, rubber, furniture, and other household products. Perfumes and other essential oils are extracted from different parts of a flower and seeds.
Plants and Health
- Plants benefit us by reducing both physiological and psychological stress, such as:
- Improves mood
- Boosts air quality
- Decreases risk of illness
- Encourages healthy eating
- Relieves stress and anxiety.
Other importance of plants include:
- Plants help with soil quality
- Spices and herbs are employed in flavouring foods and beverages.
- Planting trees helps fight climate change and mitigate its consequences
- Vegetation plays a dominant role in the earth’s water cycle by preventing soil erosion and increasing groundwater levels.
- Plants also provide habitat for insects, birds, monkeys and other small animals.
- Bioindicators are living organisms such as plants that are used for assessing environmental health and biogeographic changes taking place in the environment.
- Plants play a vital role in recycling matter in biogeochemical cycles.
- Cotton, jute, coir, hemp and flax are the different sources of plant fibres.
- During the process of photosynthesis, plants produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.
- Many edible trees provide us with gum, rubber, paper, and other raw materials used to make paper.
- Plants also maintain the ozone layer and help save the earth’s life from damaging UV radiation.
- Plants also yield condiments like pepper, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, etc.
- There are a few plant species that provide dyes. These dyes are secreted from the roots, bark, leaves, fruit or wood of indigo, henna, and turmeric plants.
- Plants also provide us with some refreshing and stimulating beverages. This includes leaves of the tea plant, seeds of coffee and cocoa plants.
- Sunflower oil, groundnut oil, olive oil, mustard oil, almond oil, coconut oil, etc., are different types of oil extracted from oilseeds and fleshy fruits.
Prelims questions of the day:
1.Which of the following are the medicinal plants in India?
- Indian Barberry
- Liquorice
- Bael
- Isabgol
- Atis
Choose the correct answer using below codes
A. 1,2,3 only
B. 2,3,4 only
C. 1,2,3,5 only
D. All the above
Answer: D
Explanation:
Medicinal Plants in India include the Indian Barberry, Liquorice, Bael, Isabgol, Atis, Guggal, Kerth, Aonla, Chandan, Senna, Baiberang, Long Pepper, Brahmi, Jatamansi, and Madhunashini, Kalmegh, Satavari, Ashwagandha, Chirata, Katki, Shankhpushpi, Ashoka, Giloe, Kokum and Safed Musli.
2. In which of the following month Rabi crop is harvested?
- January
- March
- October
- September
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Harvesting of Rabi (winter) crops begins from March.
- The main Rabi crop is wheat.
- Rabi crops or Rabi harvest are agricultural crops sown in winter and harvested in the spring in South Asia.
- The term is derived from the Arabic word for “spring”, which is used in the Indian subcontinent, where it is the spring harvest (also known as the “winter crop”).
- The major Rabi crop in India is wheat, followed by barley, mustard, sesame and peas.
3.Which of the following organization, was introduced the world’s first Nano Urea Liquid for farmers across the world?
- SFAC – Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium
- Food and Agriculture Organization
- Fertilizer Association of India (FAI)
- Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
Answer: D
Explanation:
- Prime Minister inaugurated the first Liquid Nano Urea (LNU) plant at Kalol, Gujarat.
- It is Indigenous Urea, introduced firstly by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) for farmers across the world.
Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited:
- It is one of India’s biggest cooperative societies which is wholly owned by Indian Cooperatives.
- Founded in 1967 with just 57 cooperatives, today it is an amalgamation of over 36,000 Indian Cooperatives with diversified business interests ranging from General Insurance to Rural Telecom apart from its core business of manufacturing and selling fertilizers.
- To enable Indian farmers to prosper through timely supply of reliable, high quality agricultural inputs and services in an environmentally sustainable manner and to undertake other activities to improve their welfare.
Liquid Nano Urea:
- It is urea in the form of a nanoparticle.
- It is a nutrient (liquid) to provide nitrogen to plants as an alternative to the conventional urea.
- Urea is a chemical nitrogen fertiliser, white in colour, which artificially provides nitrogen, a major nutrient required by plants.
- It is developed to replace conventional urea and it can curtail the requirement of the same by at least 50%.
- It contains 40,000 mg/L of nitrogen in a 500 ml bottle which is equivalent to the impact of nitrogen nutrient provided by one bag of conventional urea.
4.Which of the following is the India’s position in vegetable oil consumption?
- Second
- Third
- First
- Fourth
Answer: A
Explanation:
India is the world’s second-largest consumer and number one importer of vegetable oil
5. which of the following statement is true regarding Millets?
- They are generally used by urban people.
- They can be grown in areas of high rainfall
- They need high fertile soils.
- Jowar, bajra and ragi are the important millets grown in India.
Answer: D
Explanation:
Importance of Millets:
- They are highly nutritious and are generally used by rural people.
- They can be grown in areas of low rainfall and low to medium fertile soils.
- Jowar, bajra and ragi are the important millets grown in India.
- They have high nutritional value.
6.Which of the following edible oil is the highest in India’s imports?
- Soybean oil
- Sunflower oil
- Palm oil
- Groundnut oil
Answer: C
Explanation:
- India imports around 60% of its consumption of edible oils’, and palm oils constitute around 60% of the imports of edible oils.
- India buys palm oil mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, and soyaoil mostly imported from Argentina and Brazil. It purchases sunflower oil from Russia and Ukraine.
- Oils Commonly Used in India: Groundnut, mustard, rapeseed, sesame, safflower, linseed, niger seed, castor are the major traditionally cultivated oilseeds.
- Soybean and sunflower have also assumed importance in recent years.
- Coconut is most important amongst the plantation crops.
Palm Oil:
- Palm oil is currently the world’s most consumed vegetable oil.
- It is used extensively in the production of detergents, plastics, cosmetics, and biofuels.
- Top consumers of the commodity are India, China, and the European Union (EU).
7.Which of the following is true regarding Rice cultivation in India?
- It is predominantly a Rabi crop.
- It covers about one-fifth of total cultivated area of the country.
- It requires temperature of hot and humid conditions.
- Rainfall ranging between 100 to 150cm
Answer: C
Explanation:
RICE:
- It is the most important food crop of India. It is predominantly a Kharif crop. It covers about one third of total cultivated area of the country and is staple food of more than half of the Indian population.
- Maximum population of India is of rice consumers. Hence many farmers in India cultivate rice round the year that is, it is also cultivated in rabi season with the use of irrigation. Some of the geographical conditions are as follows:
- Temperature: Rice requires hot and humid conditions.
- The temperature should be fairly high i.e. 240C mean monthly temperature with average temperature of 220C to 320C.
- Rainfall: Rainfall ranging between 150 and 300 cm is suitable for its growth. In areas of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh where rainfall is less than 100cm; rice is cultivated with the help of irrigation.
- Soil: Rice is grown in varied soil conditions but deep clayey and loamy soil provides the ideal conditions.
- Rice is primarily grown in plain areas like Gangetic plain, it is also grown below sea level at Kuttanad (Kerala), hill terraces of north eastern part of India and valleys of Kashmir.
8.Which of the following is not a feature of Indian Agriculture?
- Mostly Subsistence Agriculture.
- Pressure of population on Agriculture for employment and sustenance.
- Limited Mechanization of farming.
- Dependence upon irrigation mostly.
Answer: D
Explanation:
SALIENT FEATURES OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE:
- Mostly Subsistence Agriculture.
- Pressure of population on Agriculture for employment and sustenance.
- Limited Mechanization of farming.
- Dependence upon monsoon mostly and irrigation in lesser percentage.
- Variety of crops found due to diversity of topography, climate and soil.
- Predominance of food crops cultivation.
- Three distinct agricultural/cropping seasons- kharif, rabi and zaid
9.In which of the following month Maize is grown well?
- June
- January
- April
- February
Answer: A
Explanation:
Maize:
- It is a Kharif crop and thus it grows best in the rainy season.
- In India, the rainy season starts in the month of June and ends in the month of September.
- Thus, maize is grown from June to September in India.
10. Which of the following is not invasive species?
A. African Apple Snail
B. Black Mimosa
C. Neem
D. Water Hyacinth
Answer: C
Explanation:
Invasive Species
| Name | State / Region | Native to | Affected area |
| African apple snail | Andaman and Nicobar | It is now found across country and is threatening the habitat of several native species. | |
| Papaya Mealy Bug | Assam | Mexico and Central America, | Destroyed huge crops of Papaya |
| Cotton Mealy Bug | Deccan | North America | Affected cotton crops |
| Amazon sailfin catfish | West Bengal | Fish population in the wetlands of Kolkata. | |
| Black Wattle | Western Ghats | South East Australia | It is distributed in forests and grazing lands in high altitude areas |
| Water Hyacinth | It is found throughout India | Tropical America | Aggressive colonizer. Abundant in still or slow floating waters. A nuisance for an aquatic ecosystem. |
| Black Mimosa | Himalaya, Western Ghats | Tropical North America | Aggressive colonizer. It invades watercourses and seasonally flooded wetlands. |
| Parthenium/ Congress grass, Parthenium | It is found throughout India | Tropical North America | Aggressive colonizer. A common weed of cultivated fields, forests, overgrazed pastures, wastelands, and gardens. |
| Cannibal Snail / Rosy wolf snail | – | Native to the southeastern United States. | Indian Ocean |
| Indian Bullfrog | Andaman and Nicobar | Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan | Threat to marine species, especial small endemic vertebrates |
| Lantana camara | In the Bandipur National Park, Karnataka | South America | It hinders the growth of native vegetation that herbivores such as deer and elephants feed on. Further, its fruit is toxic to animals |