Agriculture 2023 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

Q1

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Discuss the response of crop plants to rising temperature and carbon dioxide levels in relation to climate change, with suitable examples. (10 marks) (b) How can the cropping intensity and farm profitability be enhanced with the incorporation of different types of speciality corn in existing cropping systems? (10 marks) (c) What are non-wood forest products? How do they help local community development in terms of economy and employment? (10 marks) (d) Briefly write about cultural and chemical weed control methods of soybean and wheat. (10 marks) (e) Give an account of the genesis of soil structure and its significance to crop production. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) जलवायु परिवर्तन के संबंध में बढ़ते तापक्रम और कार्बन डाइऑक्साइड के स्तर के प्रति फसल पौधों की प्रतिक्रिया का उचित उदाहरणों सहित वर्णन कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) मौजूदा फसल प्रणालियों में विभिन्न प्रकारों की विशिष्ट मक्का के समावेश से फसल सघनता एवं प्रक्षेत्र की लाभप्रदता कैसे बढ़ाई जा सकती है? (10 अंक) (c) अकाष्ठीय वन उत्पाद क्या हैं? वे अर्थव्यवस्था और रोजगार के मामले में स्थानीय समुदाय के विकास में कैसे सहायक होते हैं? (10 अंक) (d) सोयाबीन और गेहूं में कर्षण एवं रासायनिक खरपतवार नियंत्रण विधियों के बारे में संक्षेप में लिखिए। (10 अंक) (e) मृदा संरचना की उत्पत्ति और फसल उत्पादन में मृदा संरचना के महत्व का विवरण दीजिए। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. 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 'discuss' for part (a) demands a balanced treatment of crop responses to both temperature and CO2, with the other parts requiring 'how', 'what', and descriptive approaches. Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 words each), ensuring each part receives proportional attention: open with a brief integrative statement, then address each sub-part sequentially with specific examples, and conclude with forward-looking implications for Indian agriculture.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): C3 vs C4 plant responses to elevated CO2 (photosynthesis enhancement in C3 like wheat; limited benefit in C4 like maize); temperature stress impacts including heat-induced sterility in rice and accelerated phenological development reducing grain filling duration
  • Part (b): Types of speciality corn (sweet corn, baby corn, popcorn, quality protein maize) and their integration in cropping systems; relay/intercropping possibilities with legumes; value addition and market linkages enhancing farm profitability
  • Part (c): Definition and classification of NWFPs (bamboo, resins, gums, medicinal plants, mushrooms, fodder); contribution to tribal/rural livelihoods through collection, processing and trade; employment generation especially for women in forest-dependent communities
  • Part (d): Cultural methods for soybean (crop rotation, timely sowing, plant spacing) and wheat (stale seedbed, mulching, crop rotation); chemical control with selective herbicides like pendimethalin for soybean and isoproturon/2,4-D for wheat with dose and timing specifications
  • Part (e): Genesis through physical (wetting-drying, freezing-thawing), chemical (cementation), biological (root activity, microbial gums) and tillage processes; significance for root penetration, water-air balance, nutrient availability and erosion control

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Demonstrates precise understanding of C3/C4 photosynthetic pathways and CO2 fertilization effect; correctly identifies speciality corn types and their agronomic requirements; accurately defines NWFPs distinguishing them from timber; specifies herbicide selectivity mechanisms; explains soil structure hierarchy from primary particles to peds with correct terminologyShows general awareness of climate change impacts on crops and lists some speciality corn types; broadly identifies NWFPs without clear classification; mentions common herbicides without selectivity details; describes soil structure formation superficially without process specificityConfuses C3 and C4 responses to CO2; conflates speciality corn with normal hybrids; fails to distinguish NWFPs from minor forest produce; mixes up herbicide recommendations between crops; misunderstands soil structure as synonymous with texture or tilth
Quantitative reasoning15%7.5Provides specific quantitative data: CO2 fertilization thresholds (550-700 ppm), temperature optima for key crops (wheat 15-20°C, rice 25-30°C), yield reduction percentages per degree rise; herbicide application rates (kg ai/ha); soil pore space percentages and bulk density values for good structureMentions general trends without precise figures; gives approximate herbicide doses; refers to 'optimal' or 'ideal' conditions without numerical values; qualitative description of soil physical propertiesNo quantitative data or grossly incorrect figures; confuses units or orders of magnitude; entirely qualitative treatment where numerical specificity is expected
Indian context examples25%12.5Cites specific Indian research: IARI studies on CO2 enrichment and heat stress in wheat; PAU/ICAR work on baby corn in Punjab-Haryana cropping systems; NWFP examples from specific regions (tendu leaves from Madhya Pradesh, bamboo from Northeast, lac from Jharkhand); soybean-wheat rotation in Malwa plateau; ICAR classification of Indian soil structuresGeneric references to 'Indian agriculture' or 'tribal areas' without specificity; mentions common crops grown in India without regional identification; standard examples without institutional or geographic anchoringNo Indian examples; uses only international case studies; inappropriate examples (temperate crops for Indian conditions); factual errors in locating crops or practices
Diagram / process20%10Describes clear schematic representation: for (a) CO2 response curves comparing C3 and C4; for (e) soil structure hierarchy diagram or aggregate formation process; verbal description of cropping calendar diagrams for (b); flow chart of NWFP value chain for (c); sequential weed control operation timeline for (d)Mentions that diagrams could be drawn but describes processes only textually; partial or incomplete process description; conflates different diagram typesNo reference to visual representation where appropriate; purely narrative treatment; incorrect description of what a diagram would show
Policy / extension angle20%10Connects to relevant policies: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (climate adaptation); MIDH support for baby corn cultivation; Van Dhan Vikas Yojana for NWFP value addition; Integrated Weed Management under NMSA; Soil Health Card scheme for structure assessment; mentions ATMA/ KVK extension mechanismsGeneric reference to 'government schemes' without naming; awareness of extension importance without specific institutional identification; policy mention without linkage to question contentNo policy or extension dimension; irrelevant policy references; treats agriculture as isolated from institutional support systems

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