Agriculture 2023 Paper II 50 marks Describe

Q3

(a) Describe the history of plant breeding in India. Write the objectives of plant breeding and methods for creation of variability for crop improvement. 20 (b) Describe Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) and source of disease resistance with suitable examples. Write the advantages of breeding for disease resistance in plants. 20 (c) What do you understand by graft incompatibility ? Describe the symptoms and causes of graft incompatibility in plants with suitable examples. 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) भारत में पादप प्रजनन के इतिहास का वर्णन कीजिए । पादप प्रजनन के उद्देश्य तथा फसल सुधार के लिए परिवर्तनशीलता की व्युत्पत्ति की विधियाँ लिखिए । 20 (b) सर्वांगी उपार्जित रोधिता (एस.ए.आर.) तथा रोग रोधिता के स्रोत का उपयुक्त उदाहरणों सहित वर्णन कीजिए । पौधों में रोग रोधिता के लिए प्रजनन के लाभ लिखिए । 20 (c) आप कलम असंगतता से क्या समझते हैं ? पौधों में कलम असंगतता के लक्षणों तथा कारणों का उपयुक्त उदाहरणों के साथ वर्णन 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 comprehensive, structured narration with factual precision. Allocate approximately 40% of effort to part (a) given its 20 marks, covering history chronologically from prehistoric to modern era, then objectives and methods; 40% to part (b) explaining SAR mechanism, resistance sources with examples, and advantages; and 20% to part (c) defining graft incompatibility with symptoms, causes and examples. Structure with brief introductions for each part, detailed body paragraphs, and a concluding synthesis on integrated crop improvement.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): History from Neolithic (Mehrgarh evidence) through Vedic, Mughal, colonial (Royal Botanic Garden, Saharanpur 1778) to post-independence (IARI 1905, Green Revolution, ICAR, molecular era); objectives (yield, quality, abiotic/biotic stress tolerance, adaptability); methods for variability creation (hybridization, mutation breeding, polyploidy, genetic engineering, somaclonal variation)
  • Part (b): SAR definition as inducible, systemic, broad-spectrum defense mechanism triggered by localized infection; signaling pathway (salicylic acid, NPR1, PR proteins); sources of resistance (vertical/horizontal, major gene/minor gene, cytoplasmic, induced); examples (tobacco-TMV, rice-blast, wheat-stem rust); advantages (reduced pesticide use, environmental safety, cost-effectiveness, durability)
  • Part (c): Graft incompatibility definition as failure to form functional union despite technical success; symptoms (overgrowth at union, necrosis, vascular discontinuity, premature death, delayed incompatibility); causes (cellular/tissue differences, virus transmission, genetic incongruity, biochemical incompatibility); examples (pear/quince, sweet orange/trifoliate orange, mango)
  • Integration of traditional knowledge (Vrikshayurveda) with modern breeding approaches
  • Specific Indian examples: IR8 rice, Sonalika wheat, Pusa varieties, NRCPB achievements, rootstock trials in citrus/mango at ICAR institutes
  • Mention of institutional contributions: IARI, BARC (mutation breeding), NBPGR (germplasm conservation), CTCRI, IIHR for grafting research

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Precise definitions across all parts: for (a) distinguishes between selection and hybridization eras with correct dates; for (b) accurately describes SAR signaling cascade (SAR, ISR distinction) and correctly classifies resistance types; for (c) clearly differentiates between graft incompatibility and graft failure, with accurate symptom-cause linkageGenerally correct definitions with minor errors (e.g., conflating SAR with ISR, vague historical timeline, incomplete symptom description); some conceptual gaps in one partMajor conceptual errors (e.g., describing SAR as genetic resistance, confusing graft incompatibility with rejection due to poor technique, anachronistic history)
Quantitative reasoning10%5Includes relevant quantitative data: mutation breeding doses (e.g., 10-50 kR gamma rays), polyploidy induction percentages, timeline precision (e.g., Green Revolution yield increases 1965-75), SAR response timeframes (3-7 days), graft success rates in commercial propagationSparse quantitative references or approximate figures without specificity; mentions some dates or percentages but lacks precisionNo quantitative data; purely qualitative description where numbers would strengthen argument
Indian context examples25%12.5Rich Indian specificity: for (a) cites Mehrgarh (7000 BP), Kautilya's Arthashastra, Mughal gardens, British colonial institutions (Saharanpur 1778, Pusa 1905), post-independence milestones (M.S. Swaminathan, IR8 in 1966); for (b) Indian resistance sources (Tirurangadi rice for blast, PBW 343 for rust); for (c) ICAR research on mango/citrus rootstocks, Rangpur lime trialsSome Indian examples but incomplete (e.g., only Green Revolution mentioned without pre-colonial history; generic disease examples without Indian cultivars); one part may lack Indian contextPredominantly foreign examples (Mendel, Borlaug without Indian application); no mention of Indian institutions, cultivars, or research contributions
Diagram / process25%12.5Clear diagrams or detailed process descriptions: for (a) flowchart of breeding methods progression; for (b) SAR signaling pathway diagram (localized infection → SA accumulation → systemic PR gene expression) or resistance pyramid; for (c) labeled diagram of compatible vs incompatible graft union showing vascular discontinuity, necrotic layer, or cellular rejection processDescribes processes verbally without diagrams, or sketches mentioned but not clearly integrated; one part lacks visual/process clarityNo process description or diagrammatic intent; purely narrative without structural visualization of mechanisms
Policy / extension angle15%7.5Connects to policy: for (a) PPV&FR Act 2001, Seed Policy, National Food Security Mission; for (b) IPM/IDM strategies, pesticide reduction targets, biosafety regulations for GM resistance; for (c) clonal propagation protocols, quality planting material schemes, rootstock certification; mentions extension challenges in technology transfer to farmersBrief policy mention (e.g., only Green Revolution or ICAR named) without integration; extension relevance stated superficiallyNo policy, regulatory, or extension context; purely technical description without institutional or implementation framework

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