70. Regarding chemical fertilisers:
1. All retail prices are entirely market-driven;
2. Ammonia for urea can come from natural gas;
3. Fertiliser sulphur can come from petroleum refining.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2020]
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 2 only
D. All three
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Urea pricing is administered, making the universal market-price claim wrong. Natural gas supplies feedstock for ammonia production, while sulphur recovered from petroleum refining is used in phosphatic fertiliser manufacturing.
69. With reference to pulses, consider:
1. Black gram grows in kharif and rabi;
2. Green gram contributes nearly half of pulses;
3. Rabi pulse output fell over three decades.
Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2020]
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 2 only
D. All three
Answer: A. 1 only
Explanation: Black gram can be cultivated in both seasons. Chickpea, rather than green gram, supplies a large share of total pulse production, and rabi pulse output has not followed the decline alleged in the question.
68. Sugarcane cultivation:
1. Nursery bud-chip planting saves seed;
2. Single-budded setts germinate better than multibudded setts when directly planted;
3. Single-budded setts tolerate bad weather better;
4. Tissue-culture settlings are possible.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2020]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1 and 4 only
D. 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: C. 1 and 4 only
Explanation: Raising bud chips in a nursery can economise on seed cane, and tissue-culture propagation is possible. Larger multibud setts generally establish and survive better than fragile single buds when planted directly.
67. What are benefits of fertigation:
1. Irrigation-water alkalinity can be adjusted;
2. Insoluble rock phosphate can be applied efficiently;
3. Nutrient availability improves;
4. Leaching can decline?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2020]
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: C. 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation: Fertigation supplies soluble fertiliser with irrigation water, permitting precise placement and potentially lower nutrient losses. Rock phosphate is poorly water soluble and is unsuitable for ordinary fertigation systems.
66. Which advantages can zero tillage provide:
1. Sowing wheat without burning prior residues;
2. Direct seeding of paddy without a transplant nursery;
3. Soil carbon sequestration?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2020]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 3 only
D. All three
Answer: D. All three
Explanation: Zero tillage avoids repeated ploughing and permits residue retention and direct sowing under suitable conditions. Lower soil disturbance can improve soil organic carbon conservation while reducing preparation time and fuel use.
65. Which materials qualify as biofuel feedstocks under the National Policy on Biofuels:
1. Cassava;
2. Damaged wheat;
3. Groundnut seed;
4. Horse gram;
5. Rotten potatoes;
6. Sugar beet?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2020]
A. 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
B. 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
C. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
D. All six
Answer: A. 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
Explanation: The policy permits several sugar- and starch-rich materials, including cassava, damaged food grains, rotten potatoes and sugar beet. Groundnut and horse gram are not included in the specified ethanol-feedstock combination.
64. Which practices qualify as eco-friendly farming in the specified question:
1. Crop diversification;
2. Legume intensification;
3. Tensiometer use;
4. Vertical farming?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2020]
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 3 only
C. 4 only
D. All four
Answer: D. All four
Explanation: Diversification and legumes support agroecological balance. Tensiometers guide more efficient irrigation scheduling, while vertical production can conserve land and water under suitable systems. Each option offers an environmental efficiency pathway.
63. Which statement accurately describes land reforms in independent India?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2019]
A. Ceiling rules targeted only family holdings
B. A major objective was land for the landless
C. They made cash crops compulsory
D. Ceilings allowed no exemptions
Answer: B. A major objective was land for the landless
Explanation: Land reforms sought a fairer agrarian structure through abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reform and ceilings. Redistribution to landless cultivators was an important social objective, although implementation varied between states.
62. Which commodity accounted for the largest value among India’s agricultural imports during the five years before the 2019 preliminary examination?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2019]
A. Pulses
B. Edible oils
C. Fresh fruits
D. Raw cotton
Answer: B. Edible oils
Explanation: Edible oils represented a particularly large import bill because domestic oilseed and vegetable-oil production did not meet consumption demand. Palm oil and other imported edible oils were significant components of agricultural trade.
61. Which country was the largest rice exporter in the five years preceding the 2019 preliminary examination?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2019]
A. India
B. Thailand
C. Vietnam
D. Myanmar
Answer: A. India
Explanation: India was the world’s leading rice exporter across the relevant period, supplying substantial quantities of basmati and non-basmati varieties. Export volumes nevertheless fluctuate with crop production, domestic policy and international demand.
