Q7
(a) Discuss the production technologies of peas in relation to varieties, climate requirement, sowing time, seed rate and plant protection. (20 marks) (b) Differentiate plant growth and development. Explain the different phases of growth in plants and also discuss the various methods of growth measurement and growth analysis. (20 marks) (c) Elaborate the major constraints of food and nutritional security in India. (10 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a) किस्मों, जलवायु आवश्यकता, बुवाई का समय, बीज दर तथा पादप सुरक्षा के संबंध में मटर की उत्पादन तकनीकों की चर्चा कीजिए। (20 अंक) (b) पादप वृद्धि एवं विकास में अंतर बताइए। पौधों में वृद्धि के विभिन्न चरणों की व्याख्या कीजिए तथा वृद्धि मापने तथा वृद्धि विश्लेषण की विभिन्न विधियों की भी चर्चा कीजिए। (20 अंक) (c) भारत में खाद्य एवं पोषण सुरक्षा की मुख्य बाधाओं की विस्तार से व्याख्या कीजिए। (10 अंक)
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' demands a comprehensive, analytical treatment with balanced coverage across all three sub-parts. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, 35% to part (b) (20 marks with conceptual depth), and 25% to part (c) (10 marks). Structure: brief integrated introduction → systematic treatment of (a), (b), (c) with clear sub-headings → concluding synthesis linking pea production technology to food security challenges.
Key points expected
- Part (a): Pea varieties (Arkel, Bonneville, Lincoln, Pant Uphar, VL-3); cool climate requirement (10-25°C), frost sensitivity; sowing windows (rabi: Oct-Nov North India, Oct-Dec hills); seed rate (75-100 kg/ha for seeds, 25-30 kg/ha for vegetable); IPM for powdery mildew, rust, aphids
- Part (b): Clear distinction between growth (irreversible increase in size/mass) and development (progressive change in form/function); sigmoid growth phases (lag, log/exponential, deceleration, stationary); growth measurement methods (RGR, NAR, LAI, CGR, SLA) with formulae; growth analysis techniques (classical/gravimetric, functional, crop growth modelling)
- Part (c): Production constraints (fragmented landholdings, soil degradation, water scarcity, climate change); distribution constraints (PDS inefficiencies, supply chain losses, price volatility); nutritional constraints (protein-energy malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, dietary diversification gaps); institutional/policy gaps (MSP coverage, procurement limitations, NFSA implementation challenges)
- Integration: Link pea as protein-rich pulse to nutritional security; connect growth analysis methods to precision agriculture extension
- Contemporary relevance: Mention PM-KISAN, POSHAN Abhiyaan, National Food Security Act 2013, and climate-resilient varieties in context
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 25% | 12.5 | For (a): scientifically accurate pea agronomy with correct temperature ranges, photoperiod sensitivity, and precise seed rates; for (b): rigorous differentiation of growth vs. development with correct sigmoid curve phases and accurate growth analysis formulae (RGR = 1/W × dW/dt, etc.); for (c): analytically sound classification of food security constraints into availability, access, utilization, stability dimensions | Generally correct concepts with minor errors in temperature ranges, incomplete growth formulae, or generic food security discussion without dimensional clarity; some conflation of growth and development | Major conceptual errors (e.g., confusing growth with development, wrong sowing seasons, incorrect seed rates by order of magnitude, or conflating food security with self-sufficiency) |
| Quantitative reasoning | 15% | 7.5 | Precise numerical data throughout: pea seed rates (75-100 kg/ha), optimum temperatures (15-18°C for pod formation), growth analysis equations with units (g g⁻¹ day⁻¹ for RGR), NAR values; current food security statistics (NFSA coverage, malnutrition rates, buffer stock norms); correct calculations if derived | Some quantitative data present but inconsistent precision (e.g., seed rates without specifying purpose, growth parameters without units, rounded food security figures without context) | Absent or grossly incorrect quantitative data; no growth analysis formulae; vague statements like 'high seed rate' or 'many people malnourished' without numbers |
| Indian context examples | 20% | 10 | Specific Indian varieties (Pant Uphar, VL-3, Arkel from IARI); regional sowing calendars (Himachal Pradesh hills vs. Indo-Gangetic plains); state-specific constraints (Maharashtra farmer suicides, Odisha PDS leakages, NER infrastructure gaps); institutional references (ICAR-VRP, IIPR Kanpur, NIN Hyderabad) | Generic Indian references without specificity (e.g., 'Indian varieties' unnamed, 'northern states' unspecified, general malnutrition mention without NFHS data) | Entirely generic or foreign examples (e.g., Oregon pea production, USDA growth models, SSA food security without Indian adaptation) |
| Diagram / process | 20% | 10 | Clear sigmoid growth curve with labelled phases (I-IV) and annotations; schematic of pea growth analysis parameters (LAI progression, dry matter accumulation); flowchart of food security constraint interlinkages; well-labelled pea plant morphology if relevant; all diagrams integrated with text explanation | One relevant diagram (typically sigmoid curve) with basic labelling; OR textual description of diagrams without actual sketch; diagrams present but not explicitly referenced in answer | No diagrams despite clear requirement in (b); OR irrelevant diagrams; illegible sketches without labels; diagrams copied without understanding |
| Policy / extension angle | 20% | 10 | Integrated policy analysis: for (a) - MIDH, NFSM-Pulses, climate-smart agriculture extension; for (b) - growth analysis application in crop modelling for precision farming, ICAR's CROPSIM model; for (c) - NFSA 2013, PM-POSHAN, Food Fortification Programme, FCI reforms, One Nation One Ration Card; critical evaluation of implementation gaps | Mention of relevant schemes without critical analysis; policy list without integration with technical content; generic extension recommendations | No policy/extension dimension; OR outdated/irrelevant schemes; purely descriptive without evaluative component; conflation of food security with agricultural production alone |
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