2026
Q151. Zing terracing is suitable for what range of land slope?
[UPSSSC Agriculture Technical Assistant (AGTA), 2026]
(A) More than 33%
(B) 16–33%
(C) 10–15%
(D) 3–10%
(E) None of the above
Answer: (D) 3–10%
Explanation: Zing terracing is a soil and water conservation method used on modest sloping land. By reducing the speed of surface runoff and retaining rainwater, such field modifications help conserve moisture and protect cultivated topsoil from erosion.
Q150. What is an area draining toward a common water outlet called?
[UPSSSC Agriculture Technical Assistant (AGTA), 2026]
(A) Drainage
(B) Rainwater harvesting
(C) Irrigation
(D) Watershed
(E) None of the above
Answer: (D) Watershed
Explanation: A watershed encompasses land from which runoff converges toward the same stream or outlet. Watershed management combines soil conservation, recharge and vegetation to improve rain-fed agriculture and reduce erosive runoff during monsoon rainfall.
Q149. Which soil of India is also called regur?
[UPSSSC Agriculture Technical Assistant (AGTA), 2026]
(A) Alluvial soil
(B) Black soil
(C) Red soil
(D) Forest soil
(E) None of the above
Answer: (B) Black soil
Explanation: Regur is the local name for black cotton soil, widely distributed across parts of the Deccan Plateau. Its clay content encourages moisture retention, although the soil may crack deeply during dry periods.
Q148. Farmers operating less than one hectare are classified as what?
[UPSSSC Agriculture Technical Assistant (AGTA), 2026]
(A) Small farmers
(B) Large farmers
(C) Marginal farmers
(D) Agricultural labourers
(E) None of the above
Answer: (C) Marginal farmers
Explanation: A marginal operational holding measures below one hectare, whereas a small holding covers one to two hectares. These categories inform agricultural policy because farm size affects mechanisation, access to credit and the feasibility of irrigation investments.
Q147. What does the irrigation term delta describe?
[UPSSSC Agriculture Technical Assistant (AGTA), 2026]
(A) Duty of water
(B) Intensity of irrigation
(C) Base period
(D) Total depth of water required by a crop
(E) None of the above
Answer: (D) Total depth of water required by a crop
Explanation: Delta is the cumulative depth of irrigation water needed over the crop base period. It is commonly expressed in centimetres or metres and relates to duty and base period through standard irrigation engineering calculations.
Q146. What erosion process is caused directly by impacting raindrops?
[UPSSSC Agriculture Technical Assistant (AGTA), 2026]
(A) Sheet erosion
(B) Gully erosion
(C) Splash erosion
(D) Rill erosion
(E) None of the above
Answer: (C) Splash erosion
Explanation: Splash erosion occurs when falling raindrops detach and scatter exposed soil particles. Plant cover, crop residues and mulches absorb the impact, helping prevent the initial detachment that can lead to more extensive water erosion.
2025
Q145. Nagarjunasagar irrigation project is located on which river?
[CUET UG Agriculture, 2025]
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Pennar
(D) Mahanadi
Answer: (A) Krishna
Explanation: The Nagarjunasagar project dams the Krishna River and supports irrigation in the southern Deccan. Large multipurpose river projects can provide water security to cultivated land, although their management must balance competing demands.
Q144. Which orchard planting system is most appropriate on hill slopes?
[CUET UG Agriculture, 2025]
(A) Square system
(B) Rectangular system
(C) Hexagonal system
(D) Contour system
Answer: (D) Contour system
Explanation: Contour planting follows lines of similar elevation on sloping land. It helps reduce downhill runoff and erosion while allowing fruit trees to be arranged with respect to terrain rather than only a flat geometric grid.
Q143. Which statement about turmeric production in India was assessed by UPSC: production/export leadership, variety diversity and major cultivating states?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2025]
(A) First statement only
(B) First and second statements only
(C) Second and third statements only
(D) All three statements
Answer: (D) All three statements
Explanation: India is a major global producer and exporter of turmeric and maintains substantial varietal diversity. Cultivation spans several states, including Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Such geographical spread reflects the crop’s commercial significance.
Q142. What did the traditional irrigation device Araghatta consist of?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, 2025]
(A) A leather water bag hauled by a pulley
(B) A rotating wheel carrying earthen pots around its rim
(C) One giant vessel drawn by bullocks
(D) A bucket lifted directly by hand
Answer: (B) A rotating wheel carrying earthen pots around its rim
Explanation: Araghatta was a traditional water-lifting wheel. Small pots fixed around the wheel filled as it turned and emptied into a channel above. Such devices helped irrigate fields from wells or nearby surface-water sources before mechanized pumps became widespread.
Q141. Regarding stubble burning and air quality in India, are these assertions true: stubble burning does not affect AQI; and it does not release substantial pollutants?
[SSC Stenographer (6 August, Shift 2), 2025]
(A) First true, second false
(B) Both correct
(C) Both false
(D) Both correct, and the second explains the first
Answer: (C) Both false
Explanation: Crop-residue fires occur seasonally, notably after paddy harvesting in parts of northwestern India. They release fine particulate matter and gases, contributing to poor air quality. Their geographical impact depends on wind direction, atmospheric stability and other pollution sources.