MPPSC Main Exam Syllabus/ Syllabi for Agriculture

AGRICULTURE (CODE NO. 01)<br /> PAPER - I<br /> There will be two parts<br /> PART I , Compulsory for all the candidates.<br /> PART II, There will be two optional sections (A & B)<br /> Candidate will have to answer all the questions from the<br /> opted - one section. <br /> PART - I<br /> 1. Elementary Agronomy<br /> Classification of weeds and herbicides. Associated losses dueto<br /> infestation of weeds. Weed management through cultural, chemical, <br /> biological and integrated approach. Tillage and crop production. Water <br /> use efficiency in relation to crop production. Criteria for scheduling<br /> irrigation. Concepts of multiple cropping, multi-storey, relay and<br /> intercropping and their importance.<br /> 2. General Horticulture<br /> Orchard planning (Soils, Climate, Nutrition, Training, Pruning,<br /> Flowering and fruiting problems and bearing habits), Bonsai. Nursery <br /> management and propagation methods. Types of vegetable gardening; <br /> Physiological disorders in vegetables and fruits. Principles and<br /> methods of preservation of important fruits and vegetables and<br /> processing techniques. Landscape, Floriculture including raising of<br /> ornamental plants. Design and layout of gardens. <br /> 3. Basic genetics<br /> Chromosome organization and functions - Mitotic and meiotic cell<br /> division. Reproduction and fertilization - Mendel's experiments and <br /> laws of inheritance. Gene interaction, Linkage and crossing over,<br /> Chromosomal aberration. Cytoplasmic inheritance. Qualitative and<br /> quantities traits. Nilsson-Ehle's experiment. Structure and replication <br /> of genetic material. Gene expression. Central dogma. gene<br /> transcription and translation. Genetic code. Operon model. Gene<br /> mutation.<br /> 4. Crop improvement<br /> Center of Crop diversity, mode of reproduction, variability in plants, <br /> Germsplasm Male sterility and self incompatibility. Heterosis and<br /> inbreeding depression, Breeding methods for crop improvement<br /> 5. Plant protectionClassification and symptoms of plant diseases, Principles of plant<br /> disease control including (exclusion, eradication, immunization and<br /> protection) Classification of pesticides and formulations. Agents and <br /> basic steps of biological control. Integrated diseases and insect pest<br /> management. Principle methods of control of stored grain pest and<br /> storage pests. Methods of rodent control. Spray equipments, their<br /> selection and maintenance. Safety precautionary measures during<br /> pesticide usage. Bee keeping (apiculture) and mushroom cultivation. <br /> Legal control - plant quarantine and insecticidal act. <br /> 6. Basic agro-forestry<br /> Silvi-culture and agro-forestry, Classification of agro-forestry system; <br /> Waste land and watershed development through agro-forestry<br /> 7. Elements of crop physiology<br /> Absorption and translocation of water and nutrients. Transpiration<br /> and water economy. Photosynthesis and respiration. Growth analysis <br /> and its importance. Photo-periodism and vernailisation. Growth<br /> hormones, senescence and post-harvest physiology (seed dormancy, <br /> storage physiology and fruit ripening) <br /> 8. Organic farming<br /> Defination of organic Farming, Components and its role in sustainable <br /> Agriculture Bio-fertilizers, production and use; Role of neem Products <br /> in crop protection. Role of microorganisms in agriculture <br /> 9. Dry land farming<br /> Dry land agriculture for sustaining agricultural production. Soil and <br /> Water management with special reference to dry land agriculture.<br /> PART - II<br /> There will be two optional sections (A & B) Candidate will have to<br /> answer all the questions from the opted section. <br /> SECTION - A<br /> Will be based on production & protection of the following main crops: <br /> Field crop groups<br /> Cereals : Wheat, rice, maize and sorghum<br /> Pulses<br /> Crops<br /> : Pigeon pea ,chick pea, Urid and Mung <br /> Oilseeds Crops : Soybean, groundnut, and<br /> rapeseed/mustardCash crops : Cotton and sugarcane<br /> SECTION - B<br /> Will be based on production & protection of the following horticultural <br /> crops : <br /> Horticultural crop groups<br /> Fruits : Mango, citrus , banana and papaya<br /> Vegetable crops : Potato, onion, cucurbits, tomato, okra and <br /> peas<br /> Cole crops : Cauliflower and cabbage<br /> Leafy vegetables : Spinach, <br /> Flowers : Roses, merry gold, chrysanthemum, aster, <br /> gaillardia and gladiolus <br /> Spices : garlic, chillis, fenugreek, coriander<br /> AGRICULTURE (CODE NO. 01)<br /> PAPER - II<br /> 1. Seed technology<br /> Seed technology : definition and importance. Varieties, Seed<br /> germination and dormancy. Planting value. Seed and variety<br /> deterioration. DUS and VCU test. Physical and genetic purity. Seed<br /> health. Seed legislation and certification; Classes of seeds; basic<br /> priniciples of Seed production and processing<br /> 2. Agricultural biotechnology<br /> Methods and application of plant tissue culture; D.N.A. basedmarker <br /> gene cloning and tools for recombinant DNA technology<br /> 3. Agricultural economics and farm management<br /> Agriculture marketing and its problems; Marketing costs, Profit<br /> margins and efficiencies. Cooperative marketing in India. EXIM<br /> policies and farm commodities for export. Barriers of export in context <br /> to WTO. Farm management, types and systems of farming and factors <br /> affecting them. <br /> 4. Agricultural extension educationRural society and institutions. Definitions, characteristics and<br /> importance of social stratification and culture. Agricultural extensionits importance; Importance and methods of extension training and<br /> evaluation. Importance of rural development programmes in India in <br /> post-independence period. Communication and diffusion of<br /> agricultural innovations. Role of KVKs in dissemination of agricultural <br /> technologies. Role and functions of ATMA<br /> 5. Agricultural statistics<br /> Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Correlation and<br /> regression. Graphs and diagrams <br /> 6. Computer application in agriculture<br /> Types and classification of computers. Data operating systems. Library <br /> function. Data management.<br /> 7. Soil Science and Microbiology<br /> Processes and factors of soil formation. Soil Taxonomic classification. <br /> Physico-chemical properties of soils. Soil fertility and fertilizers.<br /> Integrated nutrient management. Problem soils and their<br /> management. Essential plant nutrients, their distribution, functions <br /> and cycling in soils. Microbial processes involved in recycling of plant <br /> nutrients. Symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Soil organic <br /> matter and nutrient cycling. Soil survey, conservation and land use <br /> planning. Processes and factors of erosion and runoff and their<br /> management. <br /> 8. Biodiversity and natural resource conservation<br /> Natural resources (Forest and water), their management and<br /> conservation. Environmental pollution (air, water, soil and nuclear)<br /> and associated hazards to crops. Solid waste management. Utility of <br /> plant genetic resources in crop improvement. Germplasm collection<br /> and conservation.<br /> 9. Food science and food biochemistry<br /> Biochemistry of carbohydrates and proteins. Types and properties of <br /> amino acids. Types of vitamins and their sources. Classification and <br /> nature of enzymes. Factors affecting activities of enzymes. Metabolism. <br /> Chemistry of natural products (natural antibiotics and plant<br /> hormones)10. Farm management<br /> Farm management planning and budgeting. Role of farming systems <br /> in sustainable agriculture. Significance of farm mechanization in<br /> agricultural production

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