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

🔥 PLATINUM SERIES 2.0 | VOL. 229

📅 SUNDAY, 15 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. In C4 plants, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide takes place through which enzyme?

A. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase

B. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase

C. Nitrate reductase

D. ATP synthase

E. Carbonic anhydrase

Q2. In plant breeding, heterosis is most appropriately defined as:

A. Reduction in genetic variability due to inbreeding

B. Superiority of an F1 hybrid over its parents for one or more desirable characteristics

C. Formation of seeds without fertilisation

D. Development of homozygous lines through repeated self-pollination

E. Loss of hybrid vigour in the parental generation

Q3. Which pair of microorganisms is traditionally associated with the two major stages of aerobic nitrification in agricultural soils?

A. Rhizobium and Azotobacter

B. Clostridium and Bacillus

C. Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter

D. Pseudomonas and Rhizobium

E. Frankia and Azospirillum

Q4. A farmer applies 5 cm of irrigation water when cumulative pan evaporation reaches 10 cm. What is the IW/CPE ratio?

A. 0.25

B. 1.0

C. 2.0

D. 0.5

E. 5.0

Q5. Which nutrient deficiency is commonly associated with purplish pigmentation in older leaves due to anthocyanin accumulation?

A. Calcium

B. Sulphur

C. Iron

D. Boron

E. Phosphorus

Q6. Under the Indian seed certification system, which colour is generally used for the certification tag of certified seeds?

A. Azure blue

B. White

C. Golden yellow

D. Green

E. Red

Q7. Which certification tag colour is prescribed for foundation seeds under the Indian seed certification system?

A. Azure blue

B. White

C. Golden yellow

D. Green

E. Violet

Q8. Bt cotton containing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins is primarily developed to provide protection against:

A. Aphids and whiteflies

B. Mites and thrips

C. Lepidopteran bollworm pests

D. Root-knot nematodes

E. Bacterial wilt pathogens

Q9. A pest population has reached a level at which control measures must be initiated to prevent it from reaching the Economic Injury Level. This population level is called:

A. Economic Injury Level

B. General Equilibrium Position

C. Economic Damage Level

D. Economic Threshold Level

E. Critical Minimum Population

Q10. In Integrated Pest Management, the primary application of sex pheromone traps is:

A. Increasing soil nitrogen availability

B. Controlling bacterial diseases

C. Enhancing seed germination

D. Improving pollination efficiency

E. Monitoring and trapping specific insect pests

Q11. Which of the following factors is considered by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices while recommending MSP?

A. Cost of production, demand and supply, market prices and inter-crop price relationships

B. Only the international exchange rate

C. Only the previous year's MSP

D. Only the procurement expenditure of the Government

E. Only the retail price of agricultural commodities

Q12. NABARD was established on the recommendations of which committee?

A. Narasimham Committee

B. CRAFICARD Committee chaired by B. Sivaraman

C. Rangarajan Committee

D. Vaghul Committee

E. Gadgil Committee

Q13. The principal mandate of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) is to:

A. Fix Minimum Support Prices

B. Regulate agricultural commodity exports

C. Assess, refine and demonstrate agricultural technologies for farmers

D. Provide direct institutional crop loans

E. Regulate fertiliser manufacturing

Q14. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the maximum farmer premium rates for notified food and oilseed crops are generally:

A. Kharif 5%, Rabi 2%, commercial crops 1.5%

B. Kharif 1%, Rabi 2%, commercial crops 3%

C. Kharif 3%, Rabi 3%, commercial crops 4%

D. Kharif 2%, Rabi 1.5%, annual commercial/horticultural crops 5%

E. Kharif 4%, Rabi 5%, commercial crops 2%

Q15. In agricultural marketing, marketable surplus refers to:

A. Total agricultural production before harvesting

B. Quantity of produce actually sold by farmers

C. Quantity of produce purchased by traders

D. Quantity of agricultural produce stored in warehouses

E. Quantity of produce available for sale after meeting farm-family consumption, seed, feed and other requirements

Q16. Which type of banana sucker is generally preferred as planting material for commercial cultivation?

A. Sword sucker

B. Water sucker

C. Root sucker

D. Aerial sucker

E. Rhizome sucker

Q17. Citrus canker is caused by:

A. Phytophthora infestans

B. Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri

C. Fusarium oxysporum

D. Alternaria solani

E. Pseudomonas fluorescens

Q18. Which of the following grafting methods is commonly used for vegetative propagation of mango?

A. Approach layering

B. Air layering

C. Veneer grafting

D. Rhizome division

E. Runner propagation

Q19. During routine artificial insemination in cattle, semen is generally deposited in the:

A. Urinary bladder

B. Vagina

C. Cervix

D. Body of the uterus

E. Fallopian tube

Q20. In ruminants, microbial protein synthesis occurs predominantly in the:

A. Abomasum

B. Omasum

C. Small intestine

D. Reticulum alone

E. Rumen

ANSWER KEY

Q1.A

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. A – Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase

In C4 plants, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide occurs in mesophyll cells through the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEP carboxylase).

It combines carbon dioxide with phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to form oxaloacetic acid (OAA), a four-carbon compound.

Examples of C4 crops include maize, sorghum and sugarcane.

Q2. B – Superiority of an F1 hybrid over its parents

Heterosis, also known as hybrid vigour, refers to the superiority of an F1 hybrid over its parents in one or more desirable characteristics.

It may result in improved yield, vigour, adaptability and disease resistance.

Q3. C – Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter

Aerobic nitrification occurs in two major stages:

1. Nitrosomonas and other ammonia-oxidising microorganisms convert ammonia/ammonium into nitrite.

2. Nitrobacter and other nitrite-oxidising microorganisms convert nitrite into nitrate.

Nitrate is an important form of nitrogen absorbed by many agricultural crops.

Q4. D – 0.5

IW/CPE ratio = Depth of irrigation water/Cumulative pan evaporation.

= 5/10

= 0.5.

It is used in irrigation scheduling to relate irrigation application to atmospheric evaporative demand.

Q5. E – Phosphorus

Phosphorus deficiency may result in stunted plant growth, delayed maturity and purplish or reddish pigmentation in leaves due to anthocyanin accumulation.

Older leaves frequently exhibit symptoms because phosphorus is mobile within plants.

Q6. A – Azure blue

Under the Indian seed certification system, certified seeds generally carry an azure-blue certification tag.

Important seed certification colours:

- Breeder seed – Golden yellow.

- Foundation seed – White.

- Certified seed – Azure blue.

Q7. B – White

Foundation seeds are produced from breeder seeds under the prescribed quality-control and certification arrangements.

The foundation seed certification tag is white.

Foundation seeds are used for producing certified seeds.

Q8. C – Lepidopteran bollworm pests

Bt cotton contains insecticidal proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis.

Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins provide protection against important lepidopteran bollworm pests.

These proteins do not provide universal protection against all cotton insect pests.

Q9. D – Economic Threshold Level

Economic Threshold Level (ETL) is the pest population level at which control measures should be initiated to prevent the population from reaching the Economic Injury Level (EIL).

EIL is the lowest pest population density at which the economic loss caused by the pest equals the cost of control.

Q10. E – Monitoring and trapping specific insect pests

Pheromones are chemical substances released by insects for communication with members of the same species.

Synthetic sex pheromones are used for:

- Pest population monitoring.

- Mass trapping.

- Mating disruption.

- Assessing pest population trends.

Q11. A – Cost of production, demand and supply, market prices and inter-crop price relationships

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) considers several factors while recommending MSP.

These include:

- Cost of production.

- Demand and supply.

- Domestic and international market prices.

- Inter-crop price parity.

- Terms of trade between agriculture and non-agriculture sectors.

The final MSP decision is taken by the Government of India.

Q12. B – CRAFICARD Committee chaired by B. Sivaraman

NABARD was established on 12 July 1982 following the recommendations of the Committee to Review Arrangements for Institutional Credit for Agriculture and Rural Development (CRAFICARD), chaired by B. Sivaraman.

NABARD is the apex development financial institution for agriculture and rural development in India.

Q13. C – Assess, refine and demonstrate agricultural technologies

Krishi Vigyan Kendras are agricultural extension institutions that facilitate technology transfer and adoption.

Their important activities include:

- On-farm testing.

- Frontline demonstrations.

- Skill development and farmer training.

- Agricultural advisory services.

- Technology assessment and refinement.

Q14. D – Kharif 2%, Rabi 1.5%, annual commercial/horticultural crops 5%

Under PMFBY, the maximum farmer premium rates are generally:

- Kharif food and oilseed crops – 2% of sum insured.

- Rabi food and oilseed crops – 1.5% of sum insured.

- Annual commercial and horticultural crops – 5% of sum insured.

The remaining actuarial premium is subsidised by the Central and State Governments as prescribed under the scheme.

Q15. E – Produce available for sale after meeting farm requirements

Marketable surplus refers to the quantity of agricultural produce available for sale after meeting the farmer's own requirements, including:

- Family consumption.

- Seed requirements.

- Feed requirements.

- Payments in kind and other farm-related requirements.

Marketed surplus refers to the quantity actually sold by the farmer.

The two concepts are different and are important in agricultural marketing.

Q16. A – Sword sucker

Sword suckers are generally preferred for commercial banana cultivation.

They possess narrow, sword-like leaves and a comparatively well-developed rhizome.

Water suckers have broad leaves and are generally less preferred because of their comparatively weaker growth and performance.

Q17. B – Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri

Citrus canker is a bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri.

Symptoms include raised, corky lesions surrounded by yellow halos on leaves, stems and fruits.

The disease affects both productivity and marketability.

Q18. C – Veneer grafting

Veneer grafting is a commonly used vegetative propagation technique in mango.

It involves joining a selected scion to a suitable rootstock to produce plants with desirable characteristics.

Other mango propagation techniques include inarching and softwood grafting.

Q19. D – Body of the uterus

In cattle artificial insemination, semen is generally deposited in the body of the uterus, just beyond the internal cervical opening.

Correct semen placement is important for successful conception.

Q20. E – Rumen

The rumen is the major site of microbial fermentation in ruminants.

It contains bacteria, protozoa and fungi that break down fibrous feed and synthesise microbial protein.

This microbial protein subsequently becomes an important source of amino acids for the animal after digestion in the lower gastrointestinal tract.

QUICK REVISION CAPSULE

1. C4 pathway – Initial CO₂ fixation by PEP carboxylase.

2. Heterosis – Superiority of an F1 hybrid over its parents.

3. Nitrification – Ammonia/ammonium to nitrite and subsequently nitrate.

4. IW/CPE ratio – Irrigation water depth divided by cumulative pan evaporation.

5. Phosphorus deficiency – Purplish pigmentation and stunted growth.

6. Certified seed – Azure-blue certification tag.

7. Foundation seed – White certification tag.

8. Bt cotton – Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab target specified bollworm pests.

9. ETL – Population level at which control measures should begin.

10. Pheromone traps – Pest monitoring, mass trapping and mating disruption.

11. CACP – Recommends MSP based on multiple agricultural and economic factors.

12. NABARD – Established on 12 July 1982; CRAFICARD Committee.

13. KVK – Technology assessment, refinement and demonstration.

14. PMFBY – Kharif 2%, Rabi 1.5%, annual commercial/horticultural 5%.

15. Marketable surplus – Produce available for sale after meeting farm requirements.

16. Banana – Sword suckers are preferred planting material.

17. Citrus canker – Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri.

18. Mango – Veneer grafting is a recognised propagation method.

19. Cattle AI – Semen generally deposited in the body of the uterus.

20. Rumen – Major site of microbial fermentation and microbial protein synthesis.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Score| Performance

36–40| Excellent – Strong command of agricultural concepts

30–35.5| Very Good – Revise a few technical areas

22–29.5| Good – Strengthen conceptual understanding

Below 22| Needs Improvement – Revisit fundamentals

Remember: Your objective is not merely to complete the mock but to understand the concepts behind every question. Analyse incorrect answers and revise the corresponding topics.

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