Q71. Which weed is a major biological constraint and parasitic threat to cumin cultivation in Rajasthan?
Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry in Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
164 RAS Prelims MCQs on agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan deal with farming in an arid and semi-arid State. Moisture conservation, agro-climatic zones, dry farming, drought-resistant crops, early maturing varieties and the causes of desertification are asked as facts, matches and statements, and the explanations show why each practice suits the desert environment.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 71–80 of 164 questions
Q72. What is the economic significance of cultivating seed spices like cumin, coriander, and fenugreek in Rajasthan?
Explanation
Cultivating seed spices like cumin and coriander is economically significant for Rajasthan because they are short-duration cash crops. They require relatively less water compared to traditional Rabi crops like wheat, making them ideal for the state’s water-scarce environment. These spices fetch high prices in international markets, providing farmers with substantial returns in a short period. They drive rural prosperity.
Q73. Analyze the following cause and effect statements and select the correct option: Cause: Unseasonal rainfall and cloudy weather during the flowering and seed formation stage of Cumin. Effect: Severe outbreak of Alternaria blight and aphid infestation, leading to huge yield losses.
Explanation
Unseasonal rainfall and cloudy weather during the flowering stage are highly detrimental to the cumin crop. These climatic conditions create a humid environment that promotes the rapid spread of fungal diseases like Alternaria blight. Furthermore, cloudy weather often leads to severe aphid infestations. For a sensitive crop like cumin, these environmental triggers directly result in massive yield losses and quality reduction.
Q74. Afforestation through social forestry in Rajasthan primarily aims to:
Explanation
Afforestation through social forestry in Rajasthan primarily aims to involve local communities in planting trees on non-forest lands. This initiative is designed to meet the immediate needs of the rural population for fuelwood, fodder, and small timber. By creating village forests, it reduces the pressure on existing reserved forests and helps in ecological restoration. Social forestry promotes sustainable land use.
Q75. Which of the following best defines ‘Agroforestry’?
Explanation
Agroforestry is a dynamic land management system that integrates trees and shrubs into crop and livestock production systems. This approach provides multiple benefits, including diversified income sources, improved soil fertility, and enhanced biodiversity. In Rajasthan, agroforestry is essential for creating more resilient farming systems that can withstand climatic extremes. It combines agricultural productivity with environmental conservation for sustainability.
Q76. In the arid zones of Rajasthan, which traditional agroforestry system is most prevalent and ecologically sustainable?
Explanation
In the arid zones of Rajasthan, Khejri-based systems are the most traditional and ecologically sustainable form of agroforestry. Khejri trees are naturally scattered across agricultural fields, where they are integrated with crops like pearl millet or maintained as silvi-pastoral systems for livestock grazing. The tree’s ability to fix nitrogen and its deep root system make it a perfect companion.
Q77. The cultivation of crops between rows of planted trees is an agroforestry practice known as:
Explanation
Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice where agricultural crops are grown in the "alleys" formed between rows of planted trees or shrubs. This system allows for the simultaneous production of food crops and woody perennials. The trees can provide various benefits, such as acting as windbreaks, providing mulch, or yielding timber and fruits. Alley cropping maximizes land use efficiency and income.
Q78. Which fast-growing exotic tree species was extensively planted in Rajasthan for afforestation and canal bank stabilization, but later criticized for lowering the water table and suppressing local biodiversity?
Explanation
Prosopis juliflora, locally known as Vilayati Babool, was introduced in Rajasthan for rapid greening and canal stabilization. However, it later faced criticism because it is a highly invasive species that can lower the local water table with its deep roots. It also secretes chemicals that inhibit native vegetation growth, reducing biodiversity. Despite its use as fuelwood, its ecological impact is negative.
Q79. What is the primary function of ‘Shelterbelts’ planted in the western districts of Rajasthan?
Explanation
Shelterbelts are rows of trees and shrubs planted across the wind direction in the western districts of Rajasthan. Their primary ecological function is to break the high velocity of desert winds, which reduces wind erosion and checks the movement of shifting sand dunes. By protecting agricultural fields and infrastructure from sand burial, shelterbelts play a critical role in desert stabilization.
Q80. Farm forestry, a component of social forestry, involves:
Explanation
Farm forestry is a component of social forestry where individual farmers take the initiative to plant and manage trees on their private agricultural lands. The trees can be grown for various purposes, including providing timber for sale, meeting household fuelwood needs, or yielding fruits. This practice helps farmers diversify their income and provides a buffer against crop failure. It increases cover.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 71 | (a) Plantago (Zeeri) |
| 72 | (c) Short-duration cash crops with high returns under water scarcity. |
| 73 | (a) The Cause is true, and the Effect is a direct result of the Cause. |
| 74 | (d) Plant trees on community lands to meet local fuel and fodder needs. |
| 75 | (b) Integrating trees and shrubs into farming for economic and social benefits. |
| 76 | (c) Khejri-based silvi-pastoral and agri- silvicultural systems |
| 77 | (d) Alley cropping |
| 78 | (b) Prosopis juliflora (Vilayati Babool) |
| 79 | (b) Break wind velocity and check the shifting of sand dunes. |
| 80 | (a) Farmers planting trees on their own farmlands for commercial or household use. |
Key facts from Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry in Rajasthan
- Contour bunding and mulching are effective moisture conservation methods in arid agriculture.
- Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner fall in the Hyper Arid Partial Irrigated Zone.
- Dry farming is the practice of growing crops in regions with less than 750 mm of annual rainfall without irrigation.
- Bajra (pearl millet) is a common drought-resistant crop of the arid region; moth bean is drought-tolerant and forms a dense soil cover.
- Raj 3077 is a drought-resistant wheat variety suited to low-water areas.
- Early maturing varieties help crops escape terminal drought; overgrazing by livestock accelerates desertification.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry in Rajasthan?
This page has 164 practice MCQs on Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry in Rajasthan (Health, Environment and Agriculture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is dry farming?
The practice of growing crops in regions with less than 750 mm of annual rainfall without irrigation, by conserving soil moisture through methods such as mulching, bunding and early sowing.
Why is moth bean grown widely in Rajasthan?
Because it is drought-tolerant and forms a dense soil cover that protects the soil from erosion. It also fixes nitrogen, so it suits the poor sandy soils of the arid west.
Why are early maturing varieties important?
They complete their growth before the dry spell at the end of the season, so the crop escapes terminal drought. This is a key strategy for rain-fed farming in Rajasthan.