Fundamentals of Agronomy-6

By Skumar

 Fundamentals of Agronomy-6

Cropping Systems & Agro-Climatic Zones 

For MCAER PG CET | ICAR AIEEA | Agriculture Competitive Exams


🔹 PART A: Cropping Systems (Q.1–30)

1. Cropping system refers to

A. Growing one crop repeatedly
B. Pattern and sequence of crops on a field over time
C. Crop variety selection
D. Irrigation management

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Cropping system includes crop sequence, management and interactions over time.

2. Cropping pattern means

A. Crop management practices
B. Proportion of area under different crops
C. Number of crops grown in a year
D. Cropping intensity

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Cropping pattern shows area distribution of crops in a region.

3. Growing one crop year after year on same land is called

A. Mixed cropping
B. Crop rotation
C. Monocropping
D. Intercropping

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Monocropping is continuous cultivation of a single crop.

4. Crop rotation is

A. Random crop cultivation
B. Growing same crop in different fields
C. Growing different crops in a sequence
D. Growing crops together

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Crop rotation improves soil fertility and reduces pests.

5. Which is NOT an advantage of crop rotation?

A. Weed control
B. Pest reduction
C. Soil fertility improvement
D. Increase in monoculture risk

✅ Answer: D
📌 Explanation: Crop rotation reduces monoculture risks.

6. Mixed cropping involves

A. Crops grown in rows
B. Crops grown in definite row ratio
C. Growing two or more crops together without row arrangement
D. Sequential cropping

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Mixed cropping has no specific row pattern.

7. Main objective of mixed cropping is

A. Higher yield
B. Weed control
C. Risk minimization
D. Mechanization

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: It reduces risk of total crop failure.

8. Intercropping differs from mixed cropping because

A. It increases weeds
B. Crops are grown in definite rows
C. Only cereals are grown
D. Crops mature at same time

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Intercropping has definite row arrangement.

9. Example of intercropping system

A. Wheat + mustard (broadcast)
B. Sorghum + pigeonpea (2:1)
C. Rice–wheat
D. Sugarcane–ratoon

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Sorghum + pigeonpea in rows is intercropping.

10. Strip cropping means

A. Crops grown randomly
B. Crops grown in alternate strips
C. Crops grown one after another
D. Crops grown in rows

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Strip cropping controls erosion.

11. Relay cropping is

A. Growing crops simultaneously
B. Growing next crop before harvesting previous crop
C. Growing crops in rotation
D. Growing crops in strips

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Relay cropping overlaps crop duration.

12. Multiple cropping index refers to

A. Number of crops grown together
B. Cropping intensity
C. Land use efficiency
D. Harvest index

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: It expresses number of crops grown per year.

13. Cropping intensity is expressed as

A. % area under crops
B. Net sown area / gross area
C. Gross cropped area / net sown area ×100
D. Yield per hectare

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Cropping intensity measures land use.

14. Sequence cropping involves

A. Crops grown simultaneously
B. Crops grown one after another in same year
C. Crops grown in strips
D. Crops grown randomly

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: More than one crop grown sequentially.

15. Ratoon cropping is common in

A. Rice
B. Wheat
C. Sugarcane
D. Maize

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Sugarcane ratoon crop regrows from stubble.

16. Which crop combination is suitable for intercropping?

A. Two tall crops
B. Two shallow rooted crops
C. Deep rooted + shallow rooted crops
D. Same nutrient requirement crops

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Complementary resource use improves efficiency.

17. Smother crops help in

A. Increasing erosion
B. Weed suppression
C. Pest multiplication
D. Nutrient loss

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Dense canopy suppresses weeds.

18. Which factor does NOT affect cropping systems?

A. Climate
B. Soil
C. Market demand
D. Crop colour

✅ Answer: D
📌 Explanation: Crop colour has no influence.

19. Farming system includes

A. Crops only
B. Crops + livestock + enterprises
C. Crops + weeds
D. Crops + irrigation

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Farming system is an integrated approach.

20. Rice–wheat system is dominant in

A. South India
B. Eastern India
C. Indo-Gangetic plains
D. Central India

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Common in Punjab, Haryana, UP.

21. Which cropping system reduces pest buildup?

A. Monocropping
B. Continuous cropping
C. Crop rotation
D. Relay cropping

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Rotation breaks pest cycles.

22. Advantage of intercropping

A. Higher risk
B. Poor utilization of resources
C. Yield stability
D. Difficult management

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: It ensures better resource use.

23. Cropping system aims at

A. Maximum yield only
B. Efficient use of resources
C. Mechanization only
D. Single crop focus

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Resource efficiency is key goal.

24. Which is NOT a multiple cropping system?

A. Intercropping
B. Mixed cropping
C. Relay cropping
D. Monocropping

✅ Answer: D
📌 Explanation: Monocropping has only one crop.

25. Intercropping advantage is best expressed by

A. Harvest index
B. Land equivalent ratio (LER)
C. Cropping intensity
D. Water use efficiency

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: LER >1 indicates advantage.

26. LER value greater than 1 indicates

A. Yield loss
B. Intercropping disadvantage
C. Intercropping advantage
D. Crop failure

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: More efficient land use.

27. Which crop is commonly used as intercrop in sugarcane?

A. Wheat
B. Potato
C. Rice
D. Mustard

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Potato fits well early in sugarcane.

28. Crop diversification helps in

A. Increasing monoculture
B. Reducing risk
C. Increasing pests
D. Soil degradation

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Diversification improves stability.

29. Cropping system concept emphasizes

A. Single crop yield
B. Long-term sustainability
C. Chemical use
D. Machinery use

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Sustainability is central.

30. Which is a pulse-based cropping system?

A. Rice–rice
B. Rice–wheat
C. Maize–pigeonpea
D. Sugarcane–ratoon

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Pigeonpea is a pulse crop.

🔹 PART B: Agro-Climatic Zones (Q.31–50)

31. Agro-climatic zones are based on

A. Crop yield only
B. Climate and soil
C. Irrigation only
D. Market demand

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Climate and soil determine crop suitability.

32. Planning Commission divided India into

A. 10 zones
B. 12 zones
C. 15 zones
D. 20 zones

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: India has 15 agro-climatic zones (PC).

33. ICAR has classified India into

A. 8 zones
B. 10 zones
C. 15 zones
D. 127 zones

✅ Answer: D
📌 Explanation: ICAR identified 127 agro-climatic zones.

34. Major basis of agro-climatic zoning is

A. Latitude
B. Rainfall and temperature
C. Crop type
D. Population

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Climate governs crop growth.

35. Western Himalayan region is suitable for

A. Rice
B. Wheat
C. Tea and temperate fruits
D. Sugarcane

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Cool climate favors temperate crops.

36. Coastal regions receive

A. Low rainfall
B. Moderate rainfall
C. High rainfall
D. No rainfall

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Coastal zones get heavy monsoon rains.

37. Dryland agriculture is common in

A. High rainfall areas
B. Irrigated zones
C. Arid and semi-arid zones
D. Coastal zones

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Limited rainfall regions.

38. Black soils dominate in

A. Indo-Gangetic plains
B. Deccan plateau
C. Himalayan region
D. Coastal plains

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Black soils are common in Deccan.

39. Red soils are poor in

A. Nitrogen and phosphorus
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Iron

✅ Answer: A
📌 Explanation: Red soils are nutrient deficient.

40. Agro-climatic zoning helps in

A. Crop insurance
B. Crop planning
C. Market control
D. Export policy

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: It guides region-specific cropping.

41. Arid zone crops include

A. Rice
B. Wheat
C. Pearl millet
D. Sugarcane

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Pearl millet tolerates drought.

42. Humid zones have

A. Low rainfall
B. High evapotranspiration
C. High rainfall
D. Water scarcity

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Humid zones receive heavy rainfall.

43. Agro-ecological zones consider

A. Climate only
B. Soil only
C. Climate, soil and landform
D. Crop only

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: FAO concept includes landform.

44. Which zone has longest growing period?

A. Arid
B. Semi-arid
C. Sub-humid
D. Humid

✅ Answer: D
📌 Explanation: Moisture availability is highest.

45. Indo-Gangetic plains are best suited for

A. Pulses only
B. Rice–wheat system
C. Oilseeds only
D. Plantation crops

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Fertile alluvial soils.

46. Agro-climatic zones help in

A. Fertilizer recommendation
B. Crop selection
C. Research planning
D. All of the above

✅ Answer: D
📌 Explanation: Zone-specific planning is possible.

47. Semi-arid zone rainfall ranges between

A. <250 mm
B. 250–750 mm
C. 750–1250 mm
D. >1500 mm

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Semi-arid regions have moderate rainfall.

48. Crop failure risk is highest in

A. Humid zone
B. Sub-humid zone
C. Semi-arid zone
D. Irrigated zone

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: Rainfall variability is high.

49. Agro-climatic approach emphasizes

A. Uniform technology
B. Location-specific technology
C. Chemical farming
D. Mechanization

✅ Answer: B
📌 Explanation: Tailored practices improve productivity.

50. Purpose of agro-climatic zoning is

A. Political division
B. Administrative division
C. Agricultural planning
D. Census work

✅ Answer: C
📌 Explanation: It supports scientific agricultural planning.


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