Agri Quiz: Agronomy: Wheat MCQ

Correct Answer: Triticum durum
Triticum durum, also known as Macaroni or Kathiyan wheat, is specifically cultivated for producing semolina and vermicelli. This tetraploid wheat accounts for about 12% of India's wheat area.

Correct Answer: Maharashtra Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
Emmer wheat cultivation in India is concentrated in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. It occupies only about 1% of the total wheat area in the country.

Correct Answer: Triticum aestivum
Triticum aestivum, commonly known as Mexican dwarf wheat or bread wheat, is the most widely grown species, covering 87% of India's wheat area. It is primarily used for making chapatis.

Correct Answer: Triticale
Triticale (Triticosecale Wittmack) is recognized as the first cereal crop synthesized by humans through intergeneric hybridization between wheat (female) and rye (male). It was developed by Rimpu in 1890.

Correct Answer: Gluten
The quality of chapatis made from wheat flour is largely dependent on the presence and quality of gluten protein. Gluten provides elasticity and structure to the dough.

Correct Answer: Hypogeal
Wheat exhibits hypogeal germination, where the cotyledons remain below the soil surface during seedling emergence. This is characteristic of many monocotyledonous plants.

Correct Answer: 40 gm
The standard test weight for wheat grains, which indicates grain density and quality, is approximately 40 grams. Test weight for Phalaris minor is much lower, around 2 grams.

Correct Answer: Dwarfism
The Norin-10 gene is the primary source of dwarfism in modern wheat varieties. Its incorporation was crucial during the Green Revolution for developing high-yielding, lodging-resistant cultivars.

Correct Answer: 20-25°C
The optimal temperature for wheat seed germination is between 20-25°C. While germination can occur at lower temperatures (minimum 3.5-5.5°C), this range promotes the fastest and most uniform emergence.

Correct Answer: 125 kg/ha
When sowing wheat late or in saline soil conditions, a higher seed rate of 125 kg/ha is recommended to compensate for potential germination issues and ensure adequate plant population.

Correct Answer: 3-4 cm
Triple gene dwarf wheat varieties should be sown at a shallower depth of 3-4 cm. This is because they often have shorter coleoptiles compared to single or double gene varieties.

Correct Answer: Zinc sulphate
Application of Zinc sulphate at 25 kg/ha during sowing is recommended to prevent zinc deficiency, which can affect wheat growth and yield. This is a common practice in many wheat-growing areas.

Correct Answer: Mimicry weed
Phalaris minor, commonly known as canary grass or 'gehunsa', is a major mimicry weed in wheat. It closely resembles wheat seedlings in early stages, making manual removal difficult.

Correct Answer: Metsulfuron-methyl/2 4-D
For the management of broad-leaf weeds in wheat, herbicides like Metsulfuron-methyl and 2,4-D are recommended. Isoproturon and Sulfosulfuron are typically used for grassy weeds like Phalaris minor.

Correct Answer: Fertilizer Cum-Seed drill
The Fertilizer Cum-Seed drill method is highlighted as the best method for sowing wheat. This method allows for simultaneous placement of seed and fertilizer at the appropriate depth, leading to better establishment.

Correct Answer: Newest method
The Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB) system is mentioned as the newest method for wheat sowing. This technique involves planting wheat on raised beds and irrigating through the furrows between them.

Correct Answer: Rice-Wheat cropping system with late sowing
Zero tillage technique is recommended for sowing wheat in a rice-wheat cropping system, especially when wheat sowing is delayed beyond November 25th. It helps save time and conserve moisture.

Correct Answer: CRI (Crown Root Initiation) stage
The Crown Root Initiation (CRI) stage, occurring approximately 21 days after sowing, is considered the most critical stage for irrigation in wheat. Water stress at this stage can severely impact yield potential.

Correct Answer: CRI and Late Tillering/Pre-Flowering
With the availability of only two irrigations, the recommended timing is at the CRI stage and either the Late Tillering or Pre-Flowering stage. This strategy aims to cover the most sensitive early growth phases.

Correct Answer: 450-650 mm
The total water requirement for wheat cultivation typically ranges from 450 to 650 mm, depending on climate, soil type, and duration of the variety. This includes water from rainfall and irrigation.

Correct Answer: Arjun (HD-2009)
The wheat variety Arjun (HD-2009) is specifically mentioned as being sensitive to the herbicide 2,4-D. Applying this herbicide to this variety can cause phytotoxicity and yield loss.

Correct Answer: Saline soil
Kharchiya-65 (K-65) is noted as a wheat variety suitable for cultivation in saline soil conditions. Varieties like Raj-3077 are also adapted to such environments.

Correct Answer: Malavika
Among the Kanthia/Lal/Malan wheat varieties listed, Malavika is specifically pointed out for possessing the highest protein content at 16%. This makes it valuable for nutritional quality.

Correct Answer: Air-borne
Rust diseases (Brown, Yellow, and Black rust) in wheat are primarily air-borne. The fungal spores (urediospores) are easily carried by wind over long distances, facilitating widespread infection.

Correct Answer: Black rust (Stem rust)
Black rust, also known as Stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis tritici), is considered the 'killer disease' of wheat due to its potential to cause severe stem damage and complete crop loss under favorable conditions.

Correct Answer: Internally seed-borne
Loose Smut is an internally seed-borne disease. The pathogen infects the embryo within the seed, and symptoms (black powder replacing grains) appear only after the plant heads.

Correct Answer: Luthra and Sattar
The solar heat treatment method, an effective non-chemical control for Loose Smut, was developed by Luthra and Sattar in 1934. This involves soaking seeds and then drying them in the sun.

Correct Answer: Rotten fish
A characteristic symptom of Karnal Bunt infection in wheat fields is a smell similar to rotten fish. This odour is caused by the production of trimethylamine by the fungus Nivocia indica.

Correct Answer: Bacterium and Nematode
Tundu disease is caused by the combined action of a bacterium (Clavibacter tritici) and a nematode (Anguina tritici). The nematode creates entry points for the bacterium, leading to characteristic yellow sticky ooze.

Correct Answer: Tundu disease/Ear Cockle
Seed treatment with a 20% salt solution is an effective method for controlling Tundu disease and Ear Cockle. The salt solution helps separate the nematode galls (containing Anguina tritici) from healthy seeds.

Correct Answer: The first discovered plant parasitic nematode
Anguina tritici is notable as the first plant parasitic nematode ever discovered. It was identified by J.J. Needham in wheat back in 1743.

Correct Answer: Heterodera avenae
Molya disease, a significant problem in certain wheat-growing areas causing stunting and yield loss, is caused by the cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avenae.

Correct Answer: Culm
The stem of grasses, including wheat, is specifically referred to as a 'culm'. It is typically hollow between the nodes.

Correct Answer: Azotobacter
Azotobacter is recommended as a suitable biofertilizer for wheat. This free-living bacterium fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, making it available to the crop.

Correct Answer: Choti Lerma
The variety 'Choti Lerma' is specifically mentioned as being resistant to all three types of rust (Brown, Yellow, and Black). This broad resistance is a valuable trait in wheat breeding.