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

PLATINUM SERIES 2.0 | VOL. 226

THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2026

TARGET EXAMINATION: IBPS AFO Mains – Professional Knowledge

20 QUESTIONS | 40 MARKS | 15 MINUTES

Marking Scheme: +2 for every correct answer | −0.50 for every incorrect answer

Instructions: Select the most appropriate answer. Each question carries 2 marks. Attempt all questions within 15 minutes. Check the answer key only after completing the mock.

Q1. Under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which water-management practice is generally recommended during the vegetative growth period?

A. Maintaining continuous deep flooding throughout the crop period

B. Irrigating only after the crop reaches maturity

C. Keeping the field permanently saturated with standing water

D. Practising alternate wetting and drying, avoiding prolonged submergence

E. Withholding irrigation throughout the vegetative stage

Q2. The high shrink-swell characteristics of Vertisols (black cotton soils) are primarily associated with the predominance of:

A. Kaolinite

B. Montmorillonite

C. Chlorite

D. Illite

E. Halloysite

Q3. A farmer applies 100 kg of conventional Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP). How much nitrogen and phosphate (expressed as P₂O₅) does this quantity supply?

A. 46 kg N and 0 kg P₂O₅

B. 20 kg N and 20 kg P₂O₅

C. 18 kg N and 46 kg P₂O₅

D. 16 kg N and 20 kg P₂O₅

E. 12 kg N and 32 kg P₂O₅

Q4. Contour bunding is primarily adopted on gently sloping agricultural lands to:

A. Increase the velocity of surface runoff

B. Facilitate continuous submergence of crops

C. Increase soil salinity through water accumulation

D. Intercept runoff and reduce soil erosion

E. Promote unrestricted drainage of topsoil

Q5. Which pathogen causes stem rust (black rust) of wheat?

A. Ustilago tritici

B. Erysiphe graminis

C. Alternaria triticina

D. Fusarium graminearum

E. Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici

Q6. During hybrid maize seed production, detasseling of the female parent is essential because it:

A. Prevents self-pollination and facilitates fertilisation by the designated male parent

B. Increases the number of leaves per plant

C. Promotes root nodulation

D. Improves grain protein content directly

E. Accelerates cob maturity through moisture stress

Q7. Trichogramma species are released in agricultural fields primarily to control insect pests by:

A. Predating on adult beetles

B. Parasitising the eggs of insect pests

C. Acting as fungal pathogens of nematodes

D. Producing toxins against bacterial diseases

E. Destroying weed seeds in the soil

Q8. In wheat cultivation, 2,4-D is primarily recommended for the management of:

A. Grassy weeds

B. Aquatic weeds

C. Broad-leaved weeds

D. All weeds indiscriminately

E. Parasitic nematodes

Q9. In composite fish culture, which feeding-zone combination is correctly matched?

A. Catla – Bottom feeder

B. Rohu – Surface feeder

C. Mrigal – Surface feeder

D. Catla – Surface feeder

E. Mrigal – Column feeder

Q10. Which condition is essential for successful preservation of green fodder through silage making?

A. Aerobic decomposition by moulds

B. Complete drying under direct sunlight

C. Continuous exposure to atmospheric oxygen

D. Storage in open heaps with frequent turning

E. Anaerobic fermentation resulting in organic acid production and pH reduction

Q11. The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme is primarily designed to provide farmers with:

A. Timely and adequate credit for crop production and specified allied agricultural activities

B. Long-term pension benefits after retirement

C. Interest-free loans exclusively for purchasing agricultural land

D. Subsidies for exporting agricultural commodities

E. Insurance coverage without any credit facility

Q12. For large-scale commercial multiplication of disease-free, genetically uniform banana planting material, the preferred method is:

A. Direct sowing of botanical seeds

B. Micropropagation through tissue culture

C. Propagation through ordinary stem cuttings

D. Air layering

E. Grafting on seedling rootstocks

Q13. Under PM-KISAN, eligible farmer families receive annual financial assistance of:

A. ₹3,000 in two instalments

B. ₹4,000 in four instalments

C. ₹6,000 in three equal instalments

D. ₹8,000 in two equal instalments

E. ₹12,000 in three instalments

Q14. Which of the following best describes the principal mandate of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)?

A. Fixing Minimum Support Prices for crops

B. Regulating agricultural exports

C. Providing institutional crop loans

D. Technology assessment, demonstration and capacity development

E. Issuing licences for pesticide manufacturing

Q15. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) primarily assists the Government of India by:

A. Distributing fertiliser subsidies directly to farmers

B. Implementing crop insurance schemes

C. Regulating agricultural commodity exports

D. Conducting agricultural census operations

E. Recommending Minimum Support Prices for agricultural commodities

Q16. The standard nitrogen content of conventional agricultural urea in India is:

A. 46%

B. 18%

C. 21%

D. 32%

E. 40%

Q17. Which statement correctly describes seed priming?

A. Complete drying of seeds at high temperature

B. Controlled hydration of seeds followed by drying before radicle emergence

C. Immersion of seeds in concentrated acids

D. Mechanical removal of the seed coat in every crop

E. Exposure of seeds to direct sunlight for several days

Q18. The National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), an electronic trading platform for agricultural commodities, was launched on:

A. 1 January 2015

B. 15 August 2015

C. 14 April 2016

D. 2 October 2016

E. 26 January 2017

Q19. A farmer cultivating widely spaced horticultural crops adopts drip irrigation. Its principal water-saving advantage is:

A. Continuous flooding of the entire field

B. Increased evaporation from the soil surface

C. Uniform distribution of water over the entire land surface

D. Controlled water application near the root zone, reducing evaporation and other application losses

E. Elimination of the need for filtration and maintenance

Q20. The Happy Seeder is particularly useful in the rice–wheat cropping system because it:

A. Harvests standing paddy crops

B. Transplants rice seedlings mechanically

C. Sprays herbicides in orchards

D. Harvests sugarcane without damaging roots

E. Enables direct sowing of wheat into fields containing standing rice residue

ANSWER KEY

Q1.D

Q2.B

Q3.C

Q4.D

Q5.E

Q6.A

Q7.B

Q8.C

Q9.D

Q10.E

Q11.A

Q12.B

Q13.C

Q14.D

Q15.E

Q16.A

Q17.B

Q18.C

Q19.D

Q20.E

EXPLANATIONS

Q1. D – Alternate wetting and drying: SRI promotes intermittent irrigation rather than continuous flooding. The field is allowed to drain and irrigation is applied again as required. This reduces unnecessary water use and supports favourable root-zone conditions.

Q2. B – Montmorillonite: Vertisols contain significant quantities of expanding 2:1 clay minerals, particularly montmorillonite. These minerals swell when wet and shrink during drying, resulting in characteristic deep cracks.

Q3. C – 18 kg N and 46 kg P₂O₅: Conventional DAP has a nutrient grade of 18:46:0. Therefore, 100 kg of DAP supplies 18 kg nitrogen and 46 kg phosphate expressed as P₂O₅.

Q4. D – Interception of runoff: Contour bunds are constructed approximately along contour lines to reduce runoff velocity, retain rainwater and minimise soil erosion. They are particularly useful in suitable gently sloping agricultural lands.

Q5. E – Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici: This fungal pathogen causes stem rust or black rust of wheat. It produces reddish-brown pustules on stems and leaves, which may turn black towards the end of the crop season.

Q6. A – Prevention of self-pollination: Maize is a cross-pollinated crop. Removing tassels from female parent plants before pollen shedding prevents self-pollination and allows fertilisation by pollen from the designated male parent, ensuring hybrid seed production.

Q7. B – Egg parasitoid: Trichogramma is a beneficial parasitic wasp. Female wasps lay their eggs inside the eggs of insect pests, thereby preventing the development of the pest population. It is widely used in biological control programmes.

Q8. C – Broad-leaved weeds: 2,4-D is a selective systemic herbicide used to control broad-leaved weeds in cereal crops such as wheat. Its application must follow the recommended dose, crop stage and approved label directions.

Q9. D – Catla as a surface feeder: In composite fish culture, Catla primarily feeds near the water surface, Rohu feeds in the water column and Mrigal feeds near the bottom. This complementary feeding behaviour allows better utilisation of pond resources.

Q10. E – Anaerobic fermentation: Silage is prepared by storing chopped green fodder under airtight conditions. Anaerobic microorganisms produce organic acids, particularly lactic acid, which lower the pH and help preserve the fodder.

Q11. A – Timely agricultural credit: KCC facilitates timely and adequate credit for crop cultivation and specified allied activities. It helps farmers meet production expenses and eligible working-capital requirements.

Q12. B – Micropropagation: Tissue-culture-based micropropagation enables rapid multiplication of uniform, disease-free banana planting material. It is especially useful for large-scale commercial plantations.

Q13. C – ₹6,000 in three equal instalments: PM-KISAN provides ₹6,000 annually to eligible farmer families through three instalments of ₹2,000 each, transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), subject to scheme eligibility and exclusion criteria.

Q14. D – Technology assessment and demonstration: KVKs assess agricultural technologies under local conditions, conduct frontline demonstrations and provide training to farmers, farm women and rural youth. They play an important role in transferring agricultural technology from research institutions to farmers.

Q15. E – Recommending MSP: CACP recommends Minimum Support Prices to the Government of India after considering relevant factors such as cost of production, demand and supply, domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity and the likely impact on consumers and the economy. The Government takes the final decision.

Q16. A – 46%: Conventional agricultural urea contains 46% nitrogen by weight. It is a concentrated nitrogenous fertiliser widely used for crop nutrition.

Q17. B – Controlled hydration: Seed priming involves controlled water absorption to initiate early metabolic activities associated with germination. Seeds are dried before radicle emergence and sown subsequently, often resulting in faster and more uniform germination.

Q18. C – 14 April 2016: e-NAM was launched on 14 April 2016 to integrate agricultural markets through an electronic trading platform. It aims to improve market access, transparency and price discovery for agricultural commodities.

Q19. D – Water application near the root zone: Drip irrigation delivers water in controlled quantities close to plant roots. It reduces unnecessary wetting of the soil surface and can minimise evaporation, runoff and deep percolation losses when properly designed and managed.

Q20. E – Direct sowing into rice residue: The Happy Seeder enables wheat sowing in fields containing standing rice residue. It helps avoid residue burning, reduces field preparation requirements and supports conservation agriculture.

QUICK REVISION CAPSULE

1. SRI: Alternate wetting and drying; avoids prolonged continuous flooding.

2. Vertisols: Montmorillonite-rich expanding clay minerals.

3. DAP: 18% N and 46% P₂O₅; 100 kg supplies 18 kg N.

4. Contour bunding: Intercepts runoff and reduces soil erosion.

5. Wheat stem rust: Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici.

6. Maize detasseling: Prevents self-pollination in female parent rows.

7. Trichogramma: Egg parasitoid used in biological control.

8. 2,4-D: Selective herbicide for broad-leaved weeds.

9. Composite fish culture: Catla – surface; Rohu – column; Mrigal – bottom.

10. Silage: Anaerobic fermentation and lactic acid production.

11. KCC: Timely credit for crop production and specified allied activities.

12. Banana tissue culture: Rapid multiplication of uniform, disease-free plants.

13. PM-KISAN: ₹6,000 annually in three equal instalments.

14. KVK: Technology assessment, demonstration and training.

15. CACP: Recommends MSP to the Government.

16. Urea: 46% nitrogen.

17. Seed priming: Controlled hydration before radicle emergence.

18. e-NAM: Launched on 14 April 2016.

19. Drip irrigation: Controlled water delivery near the root zone.

20. Happy Seeder: Wheat sowing in standing rice residue.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

36–40 marks: Excellent – Strong command of agricultural concepts.

30–35 marks: Very Good – Revise a few technical areas.

22–29 marks: Good – Strengthen conceptual understanding.

Below 22 marks: Needs improvement – Revisit the fundamentals and practise more.

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