Agriculture 2023 Paper II 50 marks Describe

Q6

(a) Describe the principles, components and strategies for Integrated Disease Management in crops. Write down its application in management of rice blast and bacterial blight of pomegranate. 20 (b) Discuss the package of Guava cultivation with reference to soil and climate, propagation, varieties, disease management and bahar treatment. 20 (c) Briefly discuss round-the-year marigold cultivation with reference to varieties, sowing and transplanting, disease management and value-addition. 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) फसलों में एकीकृत रोग प्रबंधन के सिद्धांत, अवयवों तथा रणनीतियों का वर्णन कीजिए । धान का प्रघंस/झोंका (ब्लास्ट) रोग तथा अनार का जीवाणु झुलसा/अंगमारी (ब्लाइट) के प्रबंधन में इसके अनुप्रयोग के बारे में लिखिए । 20 (b) मृदा एवं जलवायु, प्रवर्धन, किस्मों, रोग प्रबंधन तथा बहार उपचार के संदर्भ में अमरूद की खेती के पैकेज की विवेचना कीजिए । 20 (c) वर्षभर गेंदे की खेती की किस्में, बुवाई तथा रोपण, रोग प्रबंधन एवं मूल्य-संवर्धन के संदर्भ में संक्षेप में चर्चा 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' in part (a) demands systematic exposition of IDM principles with application; 'discuss' in (b) and 'briefly discuss' in (c) require analytical coverage with proportional depth. Allocate approximately 40% word/time to part (a) given its 20 marks and conceptual weight, 35% to part (b) for comprehensive guava package details, and 25% to part (c) for concise marigold coverage. Structure: integrated introduction on holistic crop health → body with three clearly demarcated sections → brief conclusion on sustainable intensification.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): IDM principles (prevention, monitoring, multiple tactics); components (cultural, biological, chemical, host resistance); strategies (threshold-based decision, ecosystem management); specific application to rice blast (Pyricularia oryzae: resistant varieties like IR64, Trichoderma seed treatment, avoid excess N) and pomegranate bacterial blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae: copper sprays, hot water treatment of cuttings, biocontrol with Pseudomonas)
  • Part (a): Economic threshold concept, EIL, and integration hierarchy (host resistance → cultural → biological → chemical as last resort)
  • Part (b): Guava soil-climate (well-drained sandy loam, pH 5.5-7.0, tropical-subtropical, 1000-2000mm rainfall); propagation methods (seed, layering, budding, grafting—preferred for true-to-type); varieties (Allahabad Safeda, Lucknow-49, Sardar/L-49, Red Fleshed, Taiwan varieties)
  • Part (b): Guava disease management (wilt: Fusarium/Ganoderma—soil drenching with carbendazim, biocontrol; anthracnose; fruit fly); bahar treatment (manipulation of flowering through water stress, pruning, chemical regulation for off-season production—Ambe, Mrig, Hasta bahars)
  • Part (c): Round-the-year marigold varieties (African: Pusa Narangi, Pusa Basanti; French: Pusa Arpita, Pusa Basanthi Gainda); sowing (nursery June-July, Aug-Sep, Jan-Feb for continuous supply), transplanting 30-40 days; disease management (collar rot: drenching, leaf spot: Mancozeb); value-addition (lycopene extraction, natural dye, essential oil, garland/loose flower trade)
  • Part (c): Protected cultivation and precision farming techniques for year-round production, post-harvest handling for extended vase life

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Precisely defines IDM as ecosystem-based approach distinct from IPM; correctly identifies Magnaporthe oryzae (rice blast) and Xanthomonas pathogen with accurate symptoms (diamond lesions, leaf tip dieback); distinguishes bahar manipulation physiology from regular pruning; names correct marigold species (Tagetes erecta vs. T. patula) and their respective varietiesGeneral IDM description with minor pathogen name errors (e.g., Pyricularia without oryzae); conflates bacterial blight with fungal diseases; vague bahar explanation without physiological basis; mixes African and French marigold characteristicsConfuses IDM with IPM or ICM; wrong pathogens (e.g., bacterial blight in rice instead of blast); describes guava pruning without bahar concept; no distinction between marigold types
Quantitative reasoning15%7.5Provides specific quantitative parameters: EIL thresholds for rice blast (5-10% leaf area infected), spore load thresholds; guava spacing (6x6m or 5x5m), fertilizer doses (NPK 600:300:300 g/tree/year), bahar treatment timing (45 days water stress); marigold seed rate (1.5-2.0 kg/ha), transplanting age (25-30 days), yield targets (15-20 t/ha)Mentions general ranges without specificity; approximate spacing and fertilizer figures; vague 'sufficient water stress' for bahar without durationNo quantitative data; purely descriptive without doses, concentrations, or economic thresholds
Indian context examples20%10Cites Indian research: ICAR-NRRI Cuttack varieties (CR Dhan series with Pi genes for blast resistance); IIHR Bangalore pomegranate varieties (Ruby, Bhagwa) and bacterial blight management protocols; CISH Lucknow guava varieties; IARI Pusa marigold varieties; mentions NHB/APHEDA schemes for flower export; references Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra as leading guava statesMentions generic Indian varieties without research institution attribution; states state names without specific regional practicesUses exotic examples (e.g., US rice varieties, Mexican marigold) or no Indian context; ignores location-specific disease pressures
Diagram / process20%10Includes IDM decision flowchart/diamond model showing integration hierarchy; rice blast disease cycle diagram with conidia formation; guava bahar treatment calendar/timeline diagram; marigold nursery-to-field transplanting schedule; well-labelled diagrams enhance answer clarityMentions diagrams without drawing; describes processes in linear text without visual structure; rough sketches without labelsNo diagrams or flowcharts where clearly demanded (especially IDM framework, disease cycles); purely narrative description
Policy / extension angle20%10Links IDM to NFSM (National Food Security Mission) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana for bio-inputs; mentions MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture) for guava and marigold cultivation support; discusses FPOs for marigold value chain; references e-Plant Clinic/ICAR-KVK extension for disease diagnosis; sustainable agriculture goals under SDG-2Generic mention of government schemes without specificity; vague reference to 'organic farming promotion'No policy or extension linkage; purely technical agronomy without institutional or implementation framework

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