Agriculture 2025 Paper I 50 marks Discuss

Q3

(a) List out the cereal- and millet-based cropping systems practised in India based on soil type and irrigation availability. (20 marks) (b) Discuss the production technology of rainfed cotton crop under the following heads: (i) Climate and soil requirement (ii) Methods of sowing and seed rate (iii) Manures and fertilizers (iv) Inter-culture operations (v) Plant protection (20 marks) (c) Discuss different in situ moisture conservation practices recommended in dryland areas. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) मृदा प्रकार और सिंचाई की उपलब्धता के आधार पर भारत में प्रचलित धान्य एवं मोटे अनाज (मिलेट) आधारित फसल प्रणालियों की सूची बनाइए। (20 अंक) (b) निम्नलिखित शीर्षकों के अंतर्गत वर्षा-आधारित कपास की फसल की उत्पादन तकनीक का वर्णन कीजिए : (i) जलवायु और मृदा की आवश्यकता (ii) बुवाई की विधियाँ एवं बीज-दर (iii) खाद एवं उर्वरक (iv) अंतःकर्षण क्रियाएँ (v) पादप सुरक्षा (20 अंक) (c) शुष्क भूमि क्षेत्रों हेतु संस्तुत स्व स्थाने (इन सिटु) नमी संरक्षण की विभिन्न क्रियाओं का वर्णन कीजिए। (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.

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How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'discuss' demands a comprehensive, analytical treatment with logical organization. Allocate approximately 40% of effort to part (a) as it carries 20 marks, 40% to part (b) with its five sub-heads, and 20% to part (c). Structure with a brief introduction on cropping systems diversity, then address each part sequentially with clear sub-headings, concluding with integrated remarks on sustainable dryland agriculture.

Key points expected

Part (a): Cereal-based systems (rice-wheat, rice-rice, maize-wheat) and millet-based systems (pearl millet-mustard, sorghum-based) classified by soil type (alluvial, black, red, lateritic) and irrigation status (irrigated, rainfed, limited irrigation)
Part (b)(i): Cotton climate requirements (warmth, 600-1200mm rainfall, frost-free period) and soil preferences (deep black cotton soils/vertisols, pH 6.5-8.0)
Part (b)(ii): Sowing methods (dibbling, drilling, broadcasting) with seed rates (10-15 kg/ha for hybrids, 15-20 kg/ha for varieties) and spacing norms
Part (b)(iii): Nutrient management including NPK doses (80-120:40-60:40-60 kg/ha), FYM application (10-15 t/ha), and micronutrient deficiencies (Zn, B)
Part (b)(iv): Inter-culture operations including thinning, gap filling, hoeing, and weed management (pre-emergence fluchloralin, hand weeding)
Part (b)(v): Plant protection covering major pests (bollworms, sucking pests) and diseases (wilt, leaf curl virus) with IPM components
Part (c): In situ moisture conservation practices including contour bunding, graded bunding, bench terracing, tied ridging, mulching, and conservation tillage
Integration: Linkage between moisture conservation and rainfed cotton success, citing schemes like PMKSY and watershed development programs

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Concept correctness	25%	12.5	Demonstrates precise agronomic knowledge: correctly identifies cropping systems by agro-ecological zones (e.g., rice-wheat in Indo-Gangetic plains, ragi-based in Karnataka); for cotton, accurately states temperature requirements (21-27°C for germination, 27-32°C for growth), distinguishes between desi and American cotton soil needs, and correctly classifies moisture conservation structures by slope and rainfall intensity	Covers major cropping systems and cotton requirements but with minor errors in specificity (e.g., vague on temperature ranges, confuses seed rates between varieties and hybrids); moisture conservation practices listed without clear distinction between in-situ and ex-situ	Fundamental conceptual errors such as placing rice-wheat in black soil regions, stating cotton requires high humidity throughout, or confusing contour bunding with contour trenching; omits critical distinctions between soil types
Quantitative reasoning	15%	7.5	Provides accurate quantitative data throughout: seed rates (10-15 kg/ha hybrids, 15-20 kg/ha varieties), fertilizer doses (NPK ratios with split application timings), rainfall requirements (600-1200mm for cotton with distribution pattern), spacing (90-120cm × 60-90cm), and bund specifications (horizontal interval, vertical interval, cross-section dimensions for moisture conservation structures)	Mentions some quantitative parameters but inconsistently (e.g., gives fertilizer doses but not seed rates, or states rainfall requirement without specifying critical growth stages); bund dimensions mentioned without technical specifications	Lacks quantitative precision entirely or provides grossly incorrect figures (e.g., seed rates of 50 kg/ha, cotton rainfall requirement of 2000mm); no mention of measurement parameters for conservation structures
Indian context examples	20%	10	Rich with India-specific illustrations: for (a) cites specific systems like 'SRI method in Tamil Nadu,' 'badi cropping in tribal areas,' 'jhum in NE'; for (b) references Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) recommendations, specific rainfed cotton belts (Vidarbha, Telangana, Saurashtra); for (c) names watershed programs (Neeru-Chettu in Telangana, Pani Panchayat in Maharashtra), and specific structures like 'kunta' in Karnataka or 'khadin' in Rajasthan	Provides generic Indian examples without regional specificity (e.g., mentions 'watershed programs' without naming any, 'cotton belts' without specifying states); some mention of CICR or state agricultural universities but limited depth	Examples are absent or inappropriate (e.g., cites international case studies, confuses Indian cotton regions); no mention of indigenous practices or government schemes relevant to dryland agriculture
Diagram / process	20%	10	Includes well-labelled diagrams or detailed descriptions: for (a) a matrix/table showing cropping systems × soil × irrigation; for (b)(iv) sketches of sowing geometry or inter-culture implements; for (c) cross-sectional diagrams of contour bunds, bench terraces, or tied ridges with dimensions; process descriptions show sequential logic (e.g., step-by-step moisture conservation implementation)	Describes structures verbally without visual representation; mentions 'diagram' in text but no actual sketch; processes described in fragmented manner without clear sequence; tables attempted but incomplete	No attempt at diagrammatic representation or structured tabulation; purely narrative description that obscures spatial relationships; no process flow in describing operations
Policy / extension angle	20%	10	Integrates policy and extension dimensions: for (a) links cropping systems to MSP, crop diversification policy; for (b) connects rainfed cotton to Cotton Corporation of India, PM-AASHA, and rainfed area development programs; for (c) explicitly ties moisture conservation to PMKSY (Watershed Development), MGNREGA for labor, and ATMA extension methodology; suggests farmer participatory approaches	Mentions relevant schemes in passing without integration (e.g., lists PMKSY without explaining watershed component); generic reference to 'government support' without specificity; extension angle limited to 'training farmers'	Completely ignores policy and extension dimensions; answer reads as purely technical without institutional or programmatic context; no mention of government schemes, farmer organizations, or knowledge transfer mechanisms

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