INDIAN BANKING RADAR (IBR) - IBPS AFO MAINS — AGRICULTURE INTELLIGENCE MOCK

🔥 PLATINUM SERIES 2.0 | VOL. 199

📅 15 OCTOBER 2026 | THURSDAY

🎯 TARGET: IBPS AFO • Agriculture Officer • NABARD • RRB

📝 20 MCQs | 20 MARKS | 15 MINUTES

⚠️ NEGATIVE MARKING: −0.25 MARK PER INCORRECT ANSWER, AS SPECIFIED FOR THIS PRACTICE SET

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🔥 THE AGRICULTURE INTELLIGENCE CHALLENGE

Test your ability to apply agricultural science, solve numerical problems, diagnose field situations and select appropriate farm-management practices.

INSTRUCTIONS

Select the single best answer.

Attempt all 20 questions before checking the answer key.

Correct answer: +1 mark.

Incorrect answer: −0.25 mark.

Unattempted answer: 0 marks.

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🌱 PLATINUM AGRICULTURE MOCK — 20 MCQs

Q1. A farmer requires a seed rate of 100 kg/ha under the assumption of 100% germination and purity. The available seed lot has 80% germination and 100% physical purity. What adjusted seed rate should be used to supply the equivalent quantity of viable seed, assuming all other factors remain unchanged?

A. 110 kg/ha

B. 125 kg/ha

C. 120 kg/ha

D. 80 kg/ha

E. 100 kg/ha

Q2. An agronomist recommends the application of 120 kg nitrogen per hectare. If urea contains 46% nitrogen, approximately how much urea is required per hectare?

A. 200 kg

B. 240 kg

C. 250 kg

D. 261 kg

E. 300 kg

Q3. An irrigation system applies 60 mm of water to a field, of which 42 mm is stored in the crop root zone. What is the irrigation application efficiency?

A. 70%

B. 60%

C. 65%

D. 75%

E. 80%

Q4. A plant breeder wants to introduce a disease-resistance gene from a donor parent into a high-yielding, locally adapted variety while retaining most of the adapted variety's genetic background. Which breeding method is most appropriate?

A. Mass selection alone

B. Pure-line selection

C. Recurrent selection exclusively

D. Mutation breeding without selection

E. Backcross breeding

Q5. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is 5 mm/day and the crop coefficient (Kc) is 0.80. Using ETc = Kc × ETo, what is the estimated crop evapotranspiration?

A. 3 mm/day

B. 5.8 mm/day

C. 4 mm/day

D. 6.25 mm/day

E. 0.8 mm/day

Q6. A sprayer is calibrated to apply 400 litres of spray solution per hectare. If the tank capacity is 16 litres, what area can one full tank cover at the calibrated application rate?

A. 0.02 ha

B. 0.04 ha

C. 0.06 ha

D. 0.10 ha

E. 0.25 ha

Q7. A crop growing in calcareous soil develops interveinal chlorosis mainly on young leaves. Which nutrient deficiency is the most likely cause?

A. Iron

B. Nitrogen

C. Magnesium

D. Potassium

E. Phosphorus

Q8. A crop-cutting experiment harvests 50 kg of grain from a sampled plot measuring 5 m × 4 m. If the harvested grain weight is used directly without moisture or cleaning adjustments, what is the estimated yield?

A. 2.5 tonnes/ha

B. 4 tonnes/ha

C. 4.5 tonnes/ha

D. 25 tonnes/ha

E. 6.25 tonnes/ha

Q9. During hybrid seed production in maize, why are tassels removed from the designated female parent rows before pollen shedding?

A. To increase the nitrogen content of the seed

B. To accelerate grain drying

C. To prevent self-pollination of the female parent and facilitate controlled cross-pollination

D. To eliminate all insect pests

E. To increase soil moisture retention

Q10. A farmer notices declining effectiveness of an insecticide after repeated applications against the same pest. Which strategy best supports insecticide-resistance management?

A. Increase the dose beyond the label recommendation.

B. Apply the same insecticide more frequently.

C. Mix random pesticides without checking compatibility.

D. Continue the same treatment until the pest population disappears.

E. Rotate effective insecticides with different modes of action and integrate non-chemical control measures.

Q11. A soil-testing laboratory needs to assess the soluble-salt status of an agricultural soil. Which measurement is commonly used as an indicator of soil salinity?

A. Electrical conductivity (EC)

B. Soil colour alone

C. Bulk density alone

D. Cation-exchange capacity alone

E. Particle-size distribution alone

Q12. A farmer's field remains waterlogged for several days after heavy rainfall. Which immediate physiological problem is most likely to affect the roots?

A. Excessive oxygen availability

B. Increased atmospheric nitrogen fixation by all crops

C. Oxygen deficiency that impairs root respiration and nutrient uptake

D. Complete elimination of root diseases

E. Increased root respiration due to unlimited oxygen

Q13. Phosphorus fertiliser is often placed in a band near the crop root zone rather than broadcast uniformly. What is the principal agronomic reason?

A. Phosphorus always moves rapidly through soil with irrigation water.

B. Band placement eliminates the need for all other nutrients.

C. Phosphorus becomes unnecessary once roots emerge.

D. Phosphorus is relatively immobile in many soils, so placement can improve early root access and nutrient-use efficiency.

E. Band placement converts phosphorus directly into atmospheric nitrogen.

Q14. A broiler flock consumes 3.6 kg of feed for each bird over a specified production period and records a live-weight gain of 2.0 kg per bird during that period. What is the feed conversion ratio (FCR), calculated as feed consumed divided by live-weight gain?

A. 0.56

B. 1.80

C. 2.00

D. 3.60

E. 5.60

Q15. A fish farmer observes fish gasping at the water surface during the early morning, especially after several cloudy days. Which action is most appropriate when low dissolved oxygen is suspected?

A. Increase feeding immediately.

B. Add fertiliser without assessing pond conditions.

C. Stop all water-quality monitoring.

D. Increase stocking density.

E. Provide emergency aeration, reduce or suspend feeding temporarily, and assess water quality.

Q16. Groundnut pods have been harvested, but wet weather is delaying drying. Which practice is most important for reducing the risk of aflatoxin contamination during post-harvest handling?

A. Store the wet pods in a sealed, unventilated heap.

B. Delay drying until the next planting season.

C. Add excess irrigation water before storage.

D. Mix visibly mouldy produce with healthy produce.

E. Dry the produce promptly to a suitable safe moisture level and store it under dry, well-ventilated conditions.

Q17. Tomato fruits develop sunken, dark lesions at the blossom end, particularly where soil moisture fluctuates considerably during fruit development. Which disorder is most likely?

A. Blossom-end rot, associated with inadequate calcium delivery to developing fruit

B. Citrus canker

C. Potato leafroll disease

D. Wheat rust

E. Rice blast

Q18. An extension officer establishes a field plot to demonstrate that a recommended improved variety produces higher yields than the farmer's traditional variety under comparable local conditions. Which extension method is being used?

A. General farm survey

B. Radio talk

C. Result demonstration

D. Farm publication

E. Method demonstration of a single operation

Q19. A farmer stores produce in an eligible warehouse and obtains a negotiable warehouse receipt. Which benefit may this arrangement provide, subject to lender requirements and applicable rules?

A. Automatic exemption from all market charges

B. Guaranteed sale at a predetermined MSP in every case

C. Automatic cancellation of existing farm loans

D. An opportunity to obtain pledge finance against the stored commodity

E. A government guarantee against every possible price decline

Q20. A farm receives 4.5 tonnes of crop output per hectare using 450 mm of irrigation water. Assuming the entire stated irrigation depth applies to one hectare, what is the irrigation water productivity in kilograms per cubic metre?

A. 0.5 kg/m³

B. 1.0 kg/m³

C. 1.5 kg/m³

D. 2.0 kg/m³

E. 2.5 kg/m³

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🗝️ ANSWER KEY

Q1. B

Q2. D

Q3. A

Q4. E

Q5. C

Q6. B

Q7. A

Q8. D

Q9. C

Q10. E

Q11. A

Q12. C

Q13. D

Q14. B

Q15. E

Q16. E

Q17. A

Q18. C

Q19. D

Q20. B

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📘 ANSWERS EXPLAINED — QUICK LEARNING

Q1. B — Adjusted seed rate

Adjusted seed rate = Recommended seed rate ÷ Germination fraction

= 100 ÷ 0.80 = 125 kg/ha.

Q2. D — Urea requirement

Urea required = Required nitrogen ÷ Nitrogen fraction in urea

= 120 ÷ 0.46 = 260.87 kg/ha.

Approximately 261 kg/ha is required.

Q3. A — Irrigation application efficiency

Efficiency = Water stored in the root zone ÷ Water applied × 100

= 42 ÷ 60 × 100 = 70%.

Q4. E — Backcross breeding

Backcross breeding introduces a desired trait from a donor parent into an adapted recurrent parent through repeated crossing and selection.

Q5. C — Crop evapotranspiration

ETc = Kc × ETo

= 0.80 × 5 = 4 mm/day.

Q6. B — Sprayer coverage

Area covered = Tank capacity ÷ Application volume per hectare

= 16 ÷ 400 = 0.04 ha per full tank.

Q7. A — Iron deficiency

Iron deficiency commonly causes interveinal chlorosis on young leaves. Soil and crop testing help distinguish it from other deficiencies.

Q8. D — Crop yield

Sampled area = 5 × 4 = 20 m².

Yield = 50 ÷ 20 = 2.5 kg/m².

Per hectare = 2.5 × 10,000 = 25,000 kg/ha = 25 tonnes/ha.

Q9. C — Detasseling in maize

Removing tassels from female rows prevents self-pollination and facilitates controlled cross-pollination.

Q10. E — Insecticide resistance management

Rotate effective insecticides with different modes of action, follow label directions and integrate non-chemical control measures.

Q11. A — Electrical conductivity

Soil electrical conductivity is commonly used to assess soluble-salt concentration and soil salinity.

Q12. C — Root-zone oxygen deficiency

Waterlogging restricts oxygen diffusion through soil, impairing root respiration, nutrient uptake and plant growth.

Q13. D — Phosphorus placement

Phosphorus is relatively immobile in many soils. Band placement can improve early root access and nutrient-use efficiency.

Q14. B — Feed conversion ratio

FCR = Feed consumed ÷ Live-weight gain

= 3.6 ÷ 2.0 = 1.80.

A lower FCR generally indicates better feed efficiency under comparable conditions.

Q15. E — Low dissolved oxygen

Fish gasping at the surface during early morning can indicate low dissolved oxygen. Emergency aeration, temporary feeding reduction and water-quality assessment are appropriate responses.

Q16. E — Aflatoxin prevention

Prompt drying and dry, ventilated storage reduce conditions favourable to mould growth and aflatoxin formation.

Q17. A — Blossom-end rot

Blossom-end rot is a physiological disorder associated with inadequate calcium delivery to developing fruit. Irregular soil moisture can contribute even when calcium is present in the soil.

Q18. C — Result demonstration

A result demonstration shows the outcome or advantage of a recommended practice under field conditions. A method demonstration teaches how to perform a specific operation.

Q19. D — Warehouse-receipt finance

An eligible warehouse receipt may help a farmer obtain pledge finance against stored produce, subject to lender assessment and applicable requirements.

Q20. B — Irrigation water productivity

Water applied = 450 mm × 10 m³/ha/mm = 4,500 m³/ha.

Crop output = 4.5 tonnes/ha = 4,500 kg/ha.

Water productivity = 4,500 ÷ 4,500 = 1.0 kg/m³.

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IBR Practice Benchmark — Not official IBPS cut-offs

🔥 18–20: Excellent

🟢 16–17: Strong

🟡 12–15: Needs revision

🔴 Below 12: Strengthen fundamentals

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🎯 YOUR ACTION ZONE

📌 ATTEMPT: Complete the mock in 15 minutes.

📌 REVIEW: Rework every incorrect calculation.

📌 COMMENT: Share your score out of 20.

📌 PRACTISE: Continue with the next IBR Agriculture Intelligence Mock.

📘 Explore IBR Premium mock tests and study resources through the official registration channel, if interested.

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🔥 IBR EXAM MANTRA

CONCEPTS → CALCULATIONS → APPLICATION → ACCURACY

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Intelligence for Aspirants. Insight for Success.

Disclaimer: This is independently prepared educational practice material, not an official IBPS question paper. Examination rules and current scheme provisions should be checked against official notifications.