Q541. Which of the following vegetables is widely cultivated in the sandy soils of Rajasthan’s arid regions during the summer/Zaid season?
Health, Environment and Agriculture: RAS Prelims MCQs
662 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on health, environment and agriculture are on this page, in 4 chapters. They cover human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes, environmental and ecological changes and impact assessment, biodiversity and conservation of natural resources, and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q542. Arrange the following fruit crops in decreasing order of their general drought tolerance (highest tolerance to lowest tolerance):
A. Date Palm
B. Ber (Jujube)
C. Mango
D. Banana
Which of the following represents the correct order?
A. Date Palm
B. Ber (Jujube)
C. Mango
D. Banana
Which of the following represents the correct order?
Explanation
Among fruit crops, the Ber (Jujube) exhibits the highest level of drought tolerance, followed closely by the Date Palm. Both are quintessential desert plants adapted to minimal moisture. Mango requires more moderate conditions and regular water, while Banana has very low drought tolerance and requires high amounts of moisture. Therefore, the correct decreasing order is Ber, Date Palm, Mango, and Banana.
Q543. The ‘Centre of Excellence for Citrus’ in Rajasthan, established with Israeli collaboration, is located at:
Explanation
The Centre of Excellence for Citrus was established at Nanta in the Kota district through a collaboration with Israel. This facility focuses on developing high-quality citrus saplings and demonstrating advanced cultivation techniques like drip irrigation and canopy management. By introducing superior varieties and modern practices, the center aims to boost the productivity and quality of citrus fruits across Rajasthan.
Q544. The process of removing unproductive or diseased branches from fruit trees to enhance yield and fruit quality is known as:
Explanation
Pruning is an essential horticultural practice that involves the selective removal of unproductive, overcrowded, or diseased branches from fruit trees. This process helps in improving sunlight penetration and air circulation within the tree canopy. By directing the plant’s energy toward healthy and productive branches, pruning significantly enhances the yield and quality of the fruit. Regular pruning is vital for health.
Q545. Arid horticulture focuses on fruit crops that can survive under high temperatures and limited moisture. Which of the following is the most iconic arid fruit crop of Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Ber, or Indian Jujube, is considered the most iconic and resilient fruit crop of the arid zones in Rajasthan. It is remarkably adapted to survive extreme temperatures and prolonged droughts. The tree provides nutritious fruits, valuable fodder for goats, and thorny branches for fencing. Because of its multiple uses and hardiness, the Ber is the king of arid fruits.
Q546. Which vegetative propagation method is most commonly commercially used for multiplying superior varieties of Ber in Rajasthan?
Explanation
T-budding, also known as shield budding, is the most common commercial method for propagating superior varieties of Ber in Rajasthan. This vegetative technique involves inserting a bud from a desired high-yielding variety into the rootstock of a hardy local plant. This ensures that the new plant inherits the superior fruit characteristics while maintaining the drought resilience of the native stock.
Q547. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) cultivation has seen massive expansion in districts like Barmer and Jalore primarily due to:
Explanation
Pomegranate cultivation has expanded rapidly in Barmer and Jalore due to the adoption of advanced drip irrigation systems. This technology allows for the precise delivery of water to the roots, overcoming the challenges of the arid climate. Furthermore, the introduction of hardy and high-yielding varieties like ‘Bhagwa’ has made pomegranate a profitable cash crop for desert farmers.
Q548. The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) requires a specific climate for successful fruit maturation. Which phrase best describes this requirement?
Explanation
The Date Palm requires a very specific climate characterized by long, hot summers to ensure successful fruit maturation. Most importantly, the period of fruit ripening must be dry, as even moderate rainfall or high humidity at this stage can ruin the harvest. These conditions are perfectly met in the arid districts of western Rajasthan, making the state a promising region.
Q549. Match the items in List I with those in List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Arid Fruit Crop | Popular Variety |
|---|---|
| A. Ber | i. Bhagwa |
| B. Pomegranate | ii. Gola |
| C. Date Palm | iii. Krishna (NA-5) |
| D. Aonla (Indian Gooseberry) | iv. Halawy |
Explanation
In the arid horticulture of Rajasthan, specific fruit crops are associated with popular varieties. The ‘Gola’ variety is a famous type of Ber, while ‘Bhagwa’ is a highly valued pomegranate variety. Date palms are often represented by varieties like ‘Halawy’, and ‘Krishna’ is a prominent variety of Aonla or Indian gooseberry. Matching these crops with varieties is essential.
Q550. The Centre of Excellence for Date Palm in Rajasthan is located at:
Explanation
The Centre of Excellence for Date Palm is located at Sagrabhojka in the Jaisalmer district. This center was established to promote date palm cultivation by providing high-quality tissue-cultured plants and demonstrating modern farm management. Given Jaisalmer’s ideal hot and dry climate, the center plays a key role in transforming the desert economy. It serves as a hub for research.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 541 | (a) Watermelon and Muskmelon |
| 542 | (a) B, A, C, D |
| 543 | (a) Nanta (Kota) |
| 544 | (b) Pruning |
| 545 | (c) Ber (Jujube) |
| 546 | (d) T-budding (Shield budding) |
| 547 | (a) Drip irrigation and hardy varieties like ‘Bhagwa’ |
| 548 | (b) Hot, dry summers with minimal rain during fruit ripening. |
| 549 | (b) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 550 | (a) Sagrabhojka (Jaisalmer) |
Key facts from Health, Environment and Agriculture
- The RPSC General Science syllabus includes human health and nutrition, environmental change, biodiversity and the agriculture of Rajasthan.
- Health questions pair a deficiency or a programme with its cause or target, for example iron with anaemia.
- Environment questions cover ecosystems, pollutants, laws and treaties, including carbon markets.
- Rajasthan agriculture questions deal with dryland farming, crops of the arid zones and the State’s agro-climatic zones.
- Science and technology, policies and defence are on the Science and Technology page.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Health, Environment and Agriculture?
This page has 662 practice MCQs on Health, Environment and Agriculture. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does this set cover?
Four chapters: human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes; environmental and ecological changes and their impact assessment; biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development; and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan.
Are health, environment and agriculture part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The General Knowledge and General Science paper includes human health, nutrition, environment, biodiversity and the agriculture sector of Rajasthan, so these topics can be asked every year.
How can I revise this part of the syllabus?
Make short lists of deficiency diseases, pollutants, laws and treaties, and Rajasthan crops and zones. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations of the misses and revisit the lists after a few days.