Agriculture and Environment: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)
4 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Agriculture and Environment (Environment and Ecology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–4 of 4 questions
UPSC 2020Environment and Ecology · Agriculture and Environment
Q1. What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture? 1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible. 2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible. 3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible. 4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Fertigation is a technique for applying fertilizer where the drip irrigation system incorporates the fertilizer into the irrigation water. In this technology, irrigation is used to evenly disperse fertiliser solutions. Fertigation is practised extensively in commercial agriculture and horticulture. Fertigation is used to supplement nutrients that are already present or to make up for nutrient shortages found during plant tissue analysis.
Statement 1 is correct: Drip irrigation also avoids water spill-age on the field which could have promoted weed growth or increased soil alkalinity due to water logging.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Rock phosphate is not water-solu-ble and thus not suitable for fertigation. Only water-soluble fertilizers are effectively used in fertigation systems.
Statement 3 is correct: Accurate placement of nutrient, where the water goes the nutrient goes as well. Thus, increased nutrient absorption by plants.
Statement 4 is correct: Fertigation mixes fertilizers into irrigation water so that plants receive small, measured amounts of nutrients regularly, which minimizes the risk of nutrient losses through leaching.
Exam tip:
We have to find one wrong statements among given 4 to reach correct option. Only S2, contains extreme phrase like "all other phosphatic fertilizer", even if one fertilizer doesn’t satisfy the condition, it make the statement false, hence S2 is more probable to be false.
UPSC 2020Environment and Ecology · Agriculture and Environment
Q2. What is/are the advantage/ advantages of zero tillage in agriculture? 1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop. 2. Without the need for a nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible. 3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
The practice of sowing seed without tillage or preparation of soil is called Zero-tillage or No-till farming. In some cases it may reduce labour, fuel, irrigation and machinery costs. Another possible benefit is that because of the higher water content, instead of leaving a field fallow it can make economic sense to plant another crop instead. No-till farming decreases the amount of soil erosion tillage causes in certain soils, especially in sandy and dry soils on sloping terrain.
Statement 1 is correct: Zero tillage is the process where the crop seed will be sown through drillers without prior land preparation and disturbing the soil where previous crop stubbles are present.
Statement 2 is correct: Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is a viable option to reduce the unproductive water flows, with increasing shortage of water, dry-DSR with minimum or zero tillage further enhances the benefits of this technology by saving labour.
Statement 3 is correct: Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change. No-tillage farming has been claimed to increase soil organic matter, and thus increase carbon sequestration.
UPSC 2020Environment and Ecology · Agriculture and Environment
Q3. In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture? 1. Crop diversification 2. Legume intensification 3. Tensiometer use 4. Vertical farming Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Sustainable Agriculture is farming in such a way to protect the environment, aid and expand natural resources and to make the best use of nonrenewable resources. Options 1, 2 and 3 are correct:
Mixed cropping or diverse cropping: When two or more crops are cultivated concurrently on a field, it is known as mixed cropping or diversified cropping. In the unlikely event that one crop fails, the other crops will mitigate the risk of a complete crop failure. Legume intensification: A category of plants known as leguminous plants (legume) contain edible roots or knobs that help nitrogen-rich soil grow vegetables or other meals. A leguminous crop is typically cultivated alongside the primary crop. Legumes contribute to increased soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere. Crop Rotation: It entails the methodical planting of various crops in a specific order over the course of several years in the same growing space. It contributes to the preservation of soil nutrients, the reduction of soil erosion, and the prevention of pests and disease in plants. Tensiometer: A tensiometer is a device used to measure soil moisture levels, helping in precision irrigation. Farmers and other irrigation managers can use tensiometers to help them decide when to water the land. It helps in reducing excessive water use and promotes water conservation in agriculture. Option 4 is incorrect: Vertical farming is the process of raising crops in vertical layers and frequently combines soilless farming methods and controlled-environment agriculture, which attempts to maximise plant development.
UPSC 2020Environment and Ecology · Agriculture and Environment
Q4. What is the use of biochar in farming? 1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming. 2. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. 3. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it enables the growing medium to retain water for a longer time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Biochar is a high-carbon, fine-grained residue that is currently produced through modern pyrolysis processes (direct thermal decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen and preventing combustion). The extremely porous nature of biochar is found to be effective at retaining both water and water-solu-ble nutrients. When applied to soil, biochar can improve water retention, increase soil fertility, and enhance microbial activity, leading to better crop yields.
Statement 1 is correct: The use of biochar in vertical farming, part of the growing medium, can increase output significantly. As biochar migrates vertically through the soil profile, therefore can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming.
Statement 2 is correct: Its presence on the earth can improve water quality, increase soil fertility, raise agricultural productivity, and reduce pressure on old-growth forests. Using biochar in the soil promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.
Statement 3 is correct: Biochar is hygroscopic. Thus it is a desirable soil material in many locations due to its ability to attract and retain water.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2020
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
2
2020
(d) 1, 2 and 3
3
2020
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
4
2020
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Agriculture and Environment?
This page covers 4 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Agriculture and Environment (Environment and Ecology), asked from 2011 to 2022. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Agriculture and Environment?
Questions on Agriculture and Environment (Environment and Ecology) are available for 9 years, from 2011 to 2022. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
