Principles of Agronomy MCQ Questions with Answers for Agriculture Exams

 

Principles of Agronomy MCQ Questions with Answers for Agriculture Exams


Principles of Agronomy focus on the scientific methods used to grow crops efficiently while maintaining soil health and sustainability. It includes important practices such as tillage, crop rotation, irrigation, nutrient management, and weed control. Understanding these principles helps farmers and agriculture students improve crop productivity and use natural resources wisely.

These MCQ questions on Principles of Agronomy are useful for students preparing for agriculture competitive exams, ICAR tests, and academic studies.

Also Read : Climatic Requirements for Fruit Cultivation | Temperature, Rainfall & Climate Factors Explained

Q1. Agronomy is primarily concerned with:

A. Plant breeding
B. Crop production and soil management
C. Crop protection
D. Irrigation engineering

Answer: B
Explanation: Agronomy deals with field crop production and soil management for higher yield.


Q2. The word “Agronomy” is derived from:

A. Latin words
B. Greek words Agros and Nomos
C. Sanskrit words
D. Arabic words

Answer: B
Explanation: Agros = field, Nomos = management.


Q3. Father of Agronomy in India is:

A. M.S. Swaminathan
B. Norman Borlaug
C. Jethro Tull
D. R. Reddy

Answer: C
Explanation: Jethro Tull introduced scientific tillage concepts.


Q4. Crop rotation helps in:

A. Increasing pest incidence
B. Depletion of nutrients
C. Maintaining soil fertility
D. Increasing erosion

Answer: C
Explanation: Rotation balances nutrient use and breaks pest cycles.


Q5. Monocropping means:

A. Growing two crops together
B. Growing one crop year after year on same land
C. Seasonal cropping
D. Mixed farming

Answer: B
Explanation: Same crop repeatedly → nutrient depletion.


Q6. Mixed cropping is:

A. Crops grown in rows
B. Two or more crops grown without definite row arrangement
C. Sequential cropping
D. Relay cropping

Answer: B
Explanation: No specific row pattern; risk-reducing system.


Q7. Intercropping differs from mixed cropping because:

A. No competition
B. Crops grown in rows
C. Only one crop grown
D. Requires more water

Answer: B
Explanation: Intercropping has definite row arrangement.


Q8. Cropping intensity is expressed in:

A. Percentage
B. Ratio
C. Area
D. Time

Answer: A
Explanation: (Gross cropped area / Net sown area) × 100.


Q9. Multiple cropping refers to:

A. One crop per year
B. Growing more than one crop on same land in a year
C. Mixed cropping
D. Intercropping only

Answer: B
Explanation: Sequential or overlapping crops in one year.


Q10. Sole cropping means:

A. Crop mixture
B. One crop grown alone
C. Intercropping
D. Relay cropping

Answer: B


Q11. Tillage refers to:

A. Harvesting operation
B. Soil manipulation for crop growth
C. Fertilizer application
D. Weed control only

Answer: B


Q12. Primary tillage is done to:

A. Pulverize soil
B. Turn soil deeply
C. Remove weeds only
D. Level field

Answer: B
Explanation: Deep ploughing loosens soil.


Q13. Secondary tillage aims at:

A. Soil inversion
B. Seedbed preparation
C. Harvesting
D. Irrigation

Answer: B


Q14. Zero tillage means:

A. Deep ploughing
B. No soil disturbance
C. Manual weeding
D. Flood irrigation

Answer: B


Q15. Mulching helps in:

A. Increasing evaporation
B. Weed growth
C. Moisture conservation
D. Soil erosion

Answer: C


Q16. Organic mulches include:

A. Plastic sheet
B. Straw
C. Polythene
D. Aluminum foil

Answer: B


Q17. Crop density refers to:

A. Number of plants per unit area
B. Yield
C. Height of crop
D. Leaf area

Answer: A


Q18. Optimum plant population ensures:

A. Lodging
B. Maximum yield
C. Pest attack
D. Nutrient loss

Answer: B


Q19. Seed rate depends on:

A. Seed size only
B. Germination percentage
C. Crop duration
D. Market price

Answer: B


Q20. Broadcasting method of sowing results in:

A. Uniform spacing
B. Poor plant population
C. Uneven distribution
D. Line sowing

Answer: C


Q21. Line sowing helps in:

A. Weed management
B. Poor aeration
C. Lodging
D. Disease spread

Answer: A


Q22. Thinning operation is done to:

A. Remove weak seedlings
B. Increase plant population
C. Weed control
D. Irrigation

Answer: A


Q23. Gap filling is done to:

A. Remove extra plants
B. Maintain uniform plant stand
C. Harvest crop
D. Control pests

Answer: B


Q24. Weeds compete with crops for:

A. Light
B. Nutrients
C. Water
D. All of the above

Answer: D


Q25. Critical period of weed competition means:

A. Weeds harmful throughout crop life
B. Period when weeds cause maximum yield loss
C. Weed free period
D. Harvest stage

Answer: B


Q26. Cultural weed control includes:

A. Herbicides
B. Crop rotation
C. Hand weeding
D. Mechanical hoeing

Answer: B


Q27. Mechanical weed control includes:

A. Mulching
B. Hoeing
C. Crop rotation
D. Herbicide spray

Answer: B


Q28. Harvest index is ratio of:

A. Grain yield / Biological yield
B. Straw yield / Grain yield
C. Economic yield / Area
D. Biomass / Time

Answer: A


Q29. Lodging is common in:

A. Short crops
B. Tall cereal crops
C. Pulses
D. Oilseeds

Answer: B


Q30. Crop yield is affected by:

A. Climate
B. Soil
C. Management practices
D. All of the above

Answer: D


Q31. Economic yield refers to:

A. Total biomass
B. Marketable part of crop
C. Straw yield
D. Root yield

Answer: B


Q32. Biological yield includes:

A. Grain only
B. Straw only
C. Grain + straw
D. Root only

Answer: C


Q33. Rainfed agriculture depends on:

A. Canal irrigation
B. Groundwater
C. Rainfall
D. Drip irrigation

Answer: C


Q34. Dry farming is practiced in areas with rainfall:

A. >1000 mm
B. 750–1000 mm
C. <750 mm
D. >1500 mm

Answer: C


Q35. Crops grown in dry farming areas are:

A. Rice
B. Sugarcane
C. Sorghum
D. Banana

Answer: C


Q36. Relay cropping is:

A. Simultaneous sowing
B. Sowing next crop before harvesting previous
C. Mixed cropping
D. Crop rotation

Answer: B


Q37. Crop rotation improves:

A. Soil fertility
B. Pest control
C. Yield stability
D. All of the above

Answer: D


Q38. Fallowing helps in:

A. Soil erosion
B. Moisture conservation
C. Weed growth
D. Nutrient loss

Answer: B


Q39. Green manuring improves:

A. Soil organic matter
B. Soil structure
C. Nitrogen content
D. All of the above

Answer: D


Q40. Most commonly used green manure crop:

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

Answer: B


Q41. Plant growth is influenced by:

A. Light
B. Temperature
C. Water
D. All

Answer: D


Q42. Photoperiodism is response to:

A. Temperature
B. Light duration
C. Water
D. Nutrients

Answer: B


Q43. Long day plants require:

A. Short nights
B. Long nights
C. Continuous darkness
D. Shade

Answer: A


Q44. Short day plants require:

A. Long nights
B. Short nights
C. High temperature
D. Low light

Answer: A


Q45. Vernalization refers to:

A. Cold treatment for flowering
B. Heat treatment
C. Seed soaking
D. Weed control

Answer: A


Q46. Agronomic practices aim to:

A. Increase yield
B. Reduce cost
C. Improve quality
D. All

Answer: D


Q47. Soil moisture is conserved by:

A. Mulching
B. Tillage
C. Irrigation
D. Drainage

Answer: A


Q48. Transplanting is common in:

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

Answer: B


Q49. Nursery raising is done to:

A. Save seeds
B. Ensure uniform seedlings
C. Increase weeds
D. Reduce yield

Answer: B


Q50. Main objective of agronomy is:

A. Soil classification
B. Maximum economic yield
C. Pest control
D. Irrigation design

Answer: B


Conclusion

The Principles of Agronomy form the foundation of all crop production subjects. These 50 MCQs are strictly aligned with ICAR-recommended textbooks and designed for concept clarity + exam orientation. Also Read : Global agriculture knowledge and farming practices are available at the Food and Agriculture Organization



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