Agriculture 2021 Paper II 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Describe

Q5

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Define seed viability. Describe in brief the metabolic aspects of seed germination. 10 (b) Define 'Pests' and 'Pesticides' in relation to pest management. Give a brief account of types and need for pesticide formulations. 10 (c) Narrate the role of post harvest technology in minimising losses in fruits and vegetables. 10 (d) What is "Plant Quarantine" ? Describe the plant quarantine measures with suitable examples in Indian context. 10 (e) Discuss the importance of green-house in agriculture. 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों में से प्रत्येक का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : 10×5=50 (a) बीज की अंकुरण-क्षमता को परिभाषित कीजिए । बीज अंकुरण के चयापचय पहलुओं का संक्षेप में वर्णन कीजिए । 10 (b) पीड़क प्रबंधन के संबंध में 'पीड़क' तथा 'पीड़कनाशी' को परिभाषित कीजिए । पीड़कनाशी सूत्रीकरण के प्रकारों तथा आवश्यकता का संक्षेप में विवरण दीजिए । 10 (c) फलों एवं सब्जियों के नुकसान को कम करने में कटाई उपरांत प्रौद्योगिकी की भूमिका का वर्णन कीजिए । 10 (d) "पादप संगरोध" क्या है ? भारतीय परिप्रेक्ष्य में पादप संगरोध के उपायों का उचित उदाहरणों के साथ वर्णन कीजिए । 10 (e) कृषि में ग्रीन-हाउस के महत्व की विवेचना कीजिए । 10

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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 detailed, structured exposition of concepts and processes across all five sub-parts. Allocate approximately 30 words (20% time) per sub-part given equal 10-mark weightage: (a) define seed viability then outline metabolic phases of germination; (b) define terms then classify formulations; (c) enumerate post-harvest operations with loss reduction mechanisms; (d) define quarantine then detail regulatory measures with Indian examples; (e) list greenhouse advantages with applications. Use bullet points for clarity within each 150-word limit.

Key points expected

  • (a) Seed viability definition: capacity to germinate under favorable conditions; metabolic aspects: imbibition, activation of enzymes (amylase, protease), respiration shift from anaerobic to aerobic, gibberellin-mediated α-amylase synthesis in cereals, energy (ATP) generation for radicle emergence
  • (b) Pests: organisms causing economic damage; Pesticides: chemical/biological agents for pest control; Formulation types: EC, WP, SC, GR, ULV; Need for formulations: improved stability, targeted delivery, reduced phytotoxicity, ease of application, cost-effectiveness
  • (c) Post-harvest operations: precooling, sorting-grading, washing, waxing, packaging, cold storage, controlled atmosphere storage; Loss reduction: checking respiration, ethylene management, microbial decay prevention, extending shelf life, value addition through minimal processing
  • (d) Plant Quarantine: regulatory exclusion of pests/diseases through legal restrictions; Measures: prohibition, inspection, certification, fumigation, heat treatment; Indian examples: ban on cocoa from Ghana (CSSV), coconut from Sri Lanka (Lethal Yellowing), mango from SE Asia (fruit fly)
  • (e) Greenhouse importance: year-round production, climate control, water use efficiency, pesticide reduction, higher yields, off-season premium pricing, nursery raising, hybrid seed production, protected cultivation of high-value crops (flowers, exotic vegetables)

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Precise scientific definitions across all parts: seed viability distinguished from vigor; accurate metabolic pathways (glycolysis, TCA, pentose phosphate) in germination; correct classification of pesticide formulations by carrier type; comprehensive post-harvest chain; accurate quarantine terminology (Pest Risk Analysis, phytosanitary certificate); greenhouse types (polyhouse, shade net) correctly differentiatedBasic definitions correct but metabolic pathways vague, formulation types incomplete, post-harvest operations listed without loss-reduction linkage, quarantine confused with general plant protection, greenhouse benefits generic without crop-specific examplesIncorrect or confused definitions (e.g., viability=vigor), wrong metabolic processes, formulation types misclassified, post-harvest limited to storage only, quarantine equated with insecticide spraying, greenhouse described only as polythene structure
Quantitative reasoning15%7.5Specific quantitative data: post-harvest losses in India (16% F&V, 40% horticulture total worth ₹92,000 crore/year); seed viability periods (wheat 2-3 years, lettuce 5-8 years); greenhouse yield enhancement (5-10 times higher, 90% water saving); temperature ranges for quarantine treatments (56°C for 30 min hot water treatment for mango)General quantitative awareness (high post-harvest losses, increased greenhouse yields) without specific figures; vague references to viability durationNo quantitative data; incorrect figures (e.g., 50% germination as viability standard); confused units or orders of magnitude
Indian context examples20%10Rich India-specific illustrations: (a) ISTA/VSTA viability testing protocols; (b) Central Insecticides Board registration, ban on 27 pesticides; (c) Operation Greens, Mega Food Parks, NHB schemes; (d) PQ stations (Amritsar, Chennai, Mumbai), coconut wilt exclusion from Kerala, TR4 banana Fusarium vigilance; (e) Indo-Israel greenhouse projects, floriculture success in Karnataka/Tamil Nadu, protected cultivation under MIDHSome Indian examples but incomplete: mentions NHB or MIDH without scheme details, knows quarantine exists but no station names, greenhouse mentioned without regional specificityGeneric or foreign examples only; no Indian regulatory bodies, schemes, or regional applications; complete absence of Indian context where explicitly demanded in (d)
Diagram / process20%10Clear process descriptions substituting for diagrams: metabolic sequence in germination (water uptake→enzyme activation→food mobilization→growth); pesticide formulation flowchart (active ingredient→formulation→application); post-harvest handling chain; quarantine inspection protocol; greenhouse climate control feedback loop. Uses arrows, sequential numbering, or tabular presentation for visual clarity within word limitProcesses described linearly without clear sequencing; some steps missing or jumbled; no attempt at visual structuring through bullets or numberingNo process description; concepts listed randomly without causal or sequential relationships; ignores diagram demand implicit in 'describe'
Policy / extension angle20%10Explicit policy linkages: Seeds Act 1966, New Seed Policy 1988; Insecticides Act 1968, Integrated Pest Management promotion; Post-Harvest Management component of MIDH, Food Processing Ministry initiatives; Destructive Insects & Pests Act 1914, Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003, Biosecurity concerns under WTO-SPS; National Horticulture Mission, precision farming subsidies for greenhouse infrastructureMentions relevant acts or ministries without specific integration; aware of government schemes but not their policy objectives or implementation mechanismsNo policy references; purely technical answer ignoring regulatory framework, legal mandates, or extension methodology; misses WTO-SPS, biosecurity, or food safety dimensions

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