Agriculture 2021 Paper II 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Describe

Q1

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) What do you mean by gene pool concept and genetic erosion ? Classify the gene pool of a crop. 10 (b) Describe the advantages and disadvantages of mass selection, simple recurrent selection and clonal selection. 10 (c) Explain the importance of somatic hybridization in agriculture. 10 (d) 'Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)' issue is a sensitive topic in agriculture. Concisely describe this with your conclusions. 10 (e) Write short notes on the following : 10 (i) Asexual Reproduction (ii) Progeny Test (iii) Seed Bank (iv) Genetically Modified Crop

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों में से प्रत्येक का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : 10×5=50 (a) जीन पूल अवधारणा तथा आनुवंशिक क्षरण से आप क्या समझते हैं ? फसल के जीन पूल को वर्गीकृत कीजिए । 10 (b) सामूहिक चयन, सरल आवर्तक चयन तथा क्लोनल चयन के लाभों तथा हानियों का वर्णन कीजिए । 10 (c) कृषि में कायिक (दैहिक) संकरण के महत्व को समझाइए । 10 (d) कृषि में 'बौद्धिक संपदा अधिकार (आई.पी.आर.)' का मुद्दा एक संवेदनशील विषय है । इस कथन का संक्षेप में अपने निष्कर्ष के साथ वर्णन कीजिए । 10 (e) निम्नलिखित पर संक्षिप्त टिप्पणियाँ लिखिए : 10 (i) अलैंगिक प्रजनन (ii) संतति परीक्षण (iii) बीज बैंक (iv) आनुवंशिक रूप से संशोधित फसल

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Directive word: Describe

This question asks you to describe. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'describe' demands clear, structured exposition of concepts with appropriate classification and comparison. Allocate approximately 25 words each to parts (a)-(d) and 12-13 words each to the four sub-parts under (e), totaling ~150 words. Structure each part with: definition → classification/comparison → significance/example. For (b) and (e), use tabular or bullet format to save words while ensuring coverage of all components.

Key points expected

  • (a) Gene pool concept: Harlan & de Wet's three gene pools (primary, secondary, tertiary) with hybridization barriers; genetic erosion causes (replacement of landraces, deforestation, urbanization)
  • (b) Mass selection: advantages (simple, low cost, maintains genetic variation) vs disadvantages (slow progress, cannot distinguish heritable vs environmental variation); Simple recurrent selection: advantages (gradual improvement, additive gene action) vs disadvantages (long cycles, limited for low heritability traits); Clonal selection: advantages (fixes superior genotype, exploits non-additive gene action) vs disadvantages (virus accumulation, narrow genetic base)
  • (c) Somatic hybridization: protoplast fusion overcoming sexual incompatibility, symmetric/asymmetric hybrids, applications in Brassica, potato, citrus for disease resistance and cytoplasmic male sterility
  • (d) IPR in agriculture: PPV&FR Act 2001 vs Seed Act, farmer's rights vs breeder's rights, biopiracy concerns (Basmati, Neem cases), conclusion on balancing innovation access with food security
  • (e)(i) Asexual reproduction: apomixis, vegetative propagation, clonal fidelity, applications in banana, sugarcane
  • (e)(ii) Progeny test: evaluating genotype through offspring performance, used in clonal selection and recurrent selection
  • (e)(iii) Seed Bank: ex-situ conservation, NBPGR (India), Svalbard Global Seed Vault, importance for germplasm conservation
  • (e)(iv) GM crops: Bt cotton (India), Bt brinjal debate, biosafety concerns, regulatory framework (GEAC)

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Precise definitions for all nine sub-parts: gene pool classification follows Harlan & de Wet system; correctly distinguishes three selection methods' genetic bases; somatic hybridization explains protoplast fusion and cytoplasmic/nuclear combinations; IPR accurately cites PPV&FR Act 2001 provisions; GM crops correctly identifies Cry genes and regulatory bodiesBasic definitions correct but gene pool classification incomplete or confused; selection methods described without clear genetic basis distinction; somatic hybridization limited to general protoplast fusion without applications; IPR mentions patents without Indian legislative specifics; GM crops conflated with hybridizationFundamental errors: gene pool confused with genetic diversity; mass/clonal selection reversed; somatic hybridization described as sexual crossing; IPR equated only with multinational patents; seed bank confused with commercial seed storage
Quantitative reasoning10%5Numerical precision where relevant: cites ~1.5 lakh rice varieties in NBPGR; Bt cotton adoption percentages; seed viability periods in gene banks; progeny test sample sizes implied; word economy achieving 150±10 words with all parts covered proportionallyRound figures for germplasm collections without specificity; vague references to 'high' or 'low' heritability without numerical context; word count uneven with some parts over-developedNo quantitative data; grossly uneven part allocation (e.g., 100 words on (a), 10 words on (e)); incorrect statistics cited without verification
Indian context examples20%10Specific Indian references: NBPGR (New Delhi), ICAR-NRRI germplasm; PPV&FR Act 2001 and farmer-breeder rights; Bt cotton (MON531 event) and Bt brinjal moratorium; Basmati patent dispute (RiceTec); Indian landrace erosion examples (Maldandi cotton replacement); GEAC regulatory roleGeneric 'India has rich biodiversity' statements; mentions ICAR without specific institutions; Bt cotton cited without event specificity; PPV&FR Act mentioned without farmer rights componentNo Indian examples; exclusively foreign case studies (Mendel, US seed banks, European regulations); ignores India's position as Vavilovian center of origin for several crops
Diagram / process20%10Described processes sufficiently visualizable: gene pool concentric circles with crossing barriers; protoplast fusion steps (enzymatic digestion, PEG/PEG-Ca2+ fusion, regeneration); selection method flowcharts implied through structured comparison; seed bank cryopreservation temperature (-196°C LN2) specifiedProcesses described linearly without spatial/structural organization; gene pools listed without relational hierarchy; somatic hybridization steps incomplete (missing regeneration or selection)No process description; static definitions without dynamic explanation; impossible to reconstruct methodology from answer; confuses in vivo and in vitro steps
Policy / extension angle25%12.5Balanced policy analysis: IPR conclusion addresses TRIPS compliance vs sui generis system; farmer's rights (Section 39 PPV&FR Act) vs breeder's rights; extension implications of clonal selection for vegetatively propagated crops; seed bank policy linking to National Gene Fund; GM crop regulatory pipeline from RCGM to GEAC to state governmentsMentions policy without balanced conclusion; one-sided IPR stance (either pro-corporate or anti-technology); extension mentioned generically without specific scheme linkageNo policy dimension; purely technical answer; ignores socio-economic implications of genetic erosion on tribal communities; no conclusion on IPR sensitivity as question demands

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