Class 12 Agriculture Question Paper 2024 Solved

Class 12 AGRICULTURE PYQ 2024 (Code: 332)

Time allowed: 3 hours

Maximum Marks: 60

SECTION A (Objective type questions 1 Mark)

1. Answer any 4 out of the given 6 questions on Employability Skills. 4 1=4

(i) Which of the following is not a presentation software?

(A) OpenOffice Impress

(B) Microsoft PowerPoint

(C) MS Word

(D) Google Slides

(ii) Which of the following is not correct regarding the benefits of green jobs?

(A) Decrease the efficiency of energy and raw material

(B) Protect and restore ecosystems

(C) Control waste and pollution

(D) Low operating expenses

(iii) The ability to take charge and act in a situation before others is called __________ .

(A) Taking initiative 

(B) Interpersonal skills

(C) Perseverance 

(D) Decisiveness

(iv) Which personality disorder is a condition marked by an over-reliance on other people to meet one’s emotional and physical needs ?

(A) Narcissistic 

(B) Avoidant

(C) Dependent 

(D) Obsessive

(v) Which of the following is not a kind of sentence ?

(A) Declarative 

(B) Interrogative

(C) Interjective 

(D) Exclamatory

(vi) A data entry operator can change the spelling of a word in the entire document by using the following tool :

(A) Ctrl + V 

(B) Align Left

(C) Ctrl + F 

(D) Find and Replace

2. Answer any 5 out of the given 7 questions. 5 1=5

(i) Name one fat soluble vitamin.

Ans: Vitamin  A, D, E, or K. 

(ii) Which fruit is most suitable for making jelly?

Ans: Guava is often considered suitable for making jelly because it contains pectin, which is needed for a firm texture in the jelly.

(iii) Why is soil sampling essential?

Ans: Soil sampling is essential to analyze the soil’s chemical composition, physical properties, and nutrient levels. This information can help in understanding soil fertility and deciding on the proper fertilization methods.

(iv) Which can be evaluated by soil testing laboratory soil productivity or soil fertility?

Ans:

• Soil testing laboratories primarily evaluate the soil’s fertility by analyzing nutrient content, pH level, organic matter etc.
• Soil productivity depends upon many other factors like management practices, climate, and type of crops grown.

(v) Name two microorganisms used as biopesticides.

Ans: Biopesticides are derived from natural sources like microorganisms, which help in pest control with no or very little harm to the environment. Some of the commonly used microorganisms in biopesticides are Bacillus thuringiensis, Agrobacterium radiobacter, Pseudomonas fluorescens etc.

(vi) Name the organism associated with vermicomposting.

Ans: Earthworms are used in vermicomposting which involves the use of earthworms to decompose organic matter into nutrient-rich compost.

(vii) Write the full form of PFA.

Ans: PFA stands for Prevention of Food Adulteration

3. Answer any 6 out of the given 7 questions. 6×1=6

(i) Which fruit has the maximum vitamin A content?

Ans: Mangoes are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, and are one of the fruits with the highest Vitamin A content.

(ii) Give one example of formal style of garden in India.

Ans: The Mughal gardens, such as the Amrit Udhyaan (formerly known as the Mughal Garden) in Delhi, are prominent examples of a formal style of gardening in India, with geometrical layouts, water channels, and specific plants.

(iii) A straight path or road with a line of trees or large shrubs running along each side is called __________ .

Ans: Avenue. 

(iv) How much area of nursery is required for planting onions in a one hectare field?

Ans: The nursery area needed to raise seedlings for planting onions in a one-hectare field is approximately 450-500 square meters.

(v) Write the place where Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) is located in India.

Ans: The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) is located in Mysore, Karnataka. It is one of the leading food research institutions in India.

(vi) Name one beneficial plant nutrient.

Ans: Apart from essential nutrients, certain micronutrients like sodium, vanadium, silicon or cobalt also have many beneficial roles in plant growth and development.

(vii) Which gas is responsible for ripening of fruits?

Ans: Ethylene gas (C2H4).

4. Answer any 5 out of the given 6 questions. 5×1=5

(i) Name the chemical used to reduce the sprouting of onions and potatoes during storage.

Ans: Maleic hydrazide.

(ii) What is a biopesticide ?

Ans: Biopesticides are pesticides derived from natural sources such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, plants, or animals, which generally control pests by non-toxic methods, making them eco-friendly.

(iii) Which fruit is the richest source of vitamin C?

Ans: Barbados cherry.

(iv) Name the micronutrient essential for symbiotic N-fixation.

Ans: Molybdenum.

(v) What is Royal Jelly?

Ans: Royal Jelly is a honey bee secretion produced by worker bees, that is used for nutrition of larvae and queen bees, and it is secreted from the glands in the hypopharynx of the bee.

(vi) Name two chemical preservatives under Class II Preservatives used in fruit and vegetable preservation.

Ans: Potassium metabisulphite (KMS) and Sodium Benzoate.

5. Answer any 5 out of given 6 questions. 5×1=5

(i) Write any one advantage of organic farming.

Ans: Any one of the following:

• Organic manures produce optimal conditions in the soil for high yields and good quality crops.
• They supply all the nutrients needed for the plant (NPK, secondary and micronutrients).
• They improve plant growth and physiological activities of plants.
• They improve the physical properties of the soil such as granulation and good tilth, good aeration, easy root penetration, and improves water-holding capacity.
• They improve the chemical properties of the soil such as the supply and retention of soil nutrients and promote favorable chemical reactions.
• They reduce the need for purchased inputs.
• Most of the organic manures are wastes of by-products, which prevents their accumulation, and which also lead to less pollution.

(ii) Name one substance which can be used to preserve pickle.

Ans: Oil, salt, vinegar or lime juice. 

(iii) Name the group of bacteria which converts ammonia to nitrite.

Ans: Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus and Nitrosolobus. 

(iv) What is vinegar?

Ans: Vinegar is an acidic liquid that has been produced through fermentation. The chemical composition is mainly an aqueous solution of acetic acid and trace chemicals.

(v) Define bee pasturage.

Ans: Bee pasturage is the area or the plants where bees can find their food, in the form of pollen or nectar.

(vi) Leaves of which plant are commonly used in sericulture?

Ans: Mulberry leaves. 

6. Answer any 5 out of the given 6 questions. 5×1=5

(i) Write two methods of biofertilizer application.

Ans: Seed treatment, seedling root dip, or soil treatment. 

(ii) Name the acid predominantly present in citrus fruits (lime).

Ans: Citric acid. 

(iii) Name the organism reared in sericulture.

Ans: Silkmoth. 

(iv) What is kitchen gardening?

Ans: Kitchen gardening is the practice of growing vegetables near the house, typically in the backyard or any space near the home, to produce food for the family.

(v) Name the Act which regulates and prescribes the conditions for packed products with respect to quantity declaration, manufacturing date and sale price.

Ans: Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976.

(vi) Why is placement of phosphate fertilizer near root zone recommended?

Ans: Phosphate fertilizers are immobile in the soil, which means that they do not move readily, which is why they are better utilized by plants when placed directly near their root zone.

SECTION B (Subjective Type Questions)

Answer any 3 out of the given 5 questions on Employability Skills. Answer each question in 20 30 words. 3x 2=6

7. Write any two points of importance of positive attitude in a student’s life. 

Ans: 

• A positive attitude makes a person happier, and helps build and maintain  relationships. 
• It even increases one’s chances of success.

8. Write the rules for using capital letters when writing sentences in English.

Ans: Capitalise the first letter of a name of months, people, rivers, seas, oceans, islands, and days, the letter ‘I’, first letter of a title, and the first  letter of the sentence. 

9. Write two advantages of presentation software.

Ans: (Any two)

1. They are interesting as they have features like images, videos, animation and music.
2. Making changes in digital presentations is easy.
3. A digital presentation can be shown to a much larger audience by projecting on a screen.
4. The presentation can be printed and distributed to the audience.

10. Write the definition of Entrepreneurship as given by an economist.

Ans: Economists define an entrepreneur as someone, who brings in resources, labour, material and other assets into profit making combinations.

11. Explain Borderline personality disorder.

Ans: People with borderline personality disorder essentially lack a sense of self-worth, and thus, experience feelings of emptiness and fears of abandonment.

Answer any 3 out of the given 5 questions in 20 30 words each. 3×2=6

12. What are biofertilizers? How are they different from compost?

Ans: 

• Biofertilizers: Biofertilizers are types of fertilizers that are made from living microorganisms. These microorganisms improve soil health and plant growth, and also can help in nutrient fixation in soil. They can contain bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms that fix nitrogen and provide essential nutrients to plants. Bio-fertilizers are preparations containing living cells or latent cells of efficient strains of microorganisms that help in nutrient uptake.

• Compost: Compost, on the other hand, is a mixture of decomposed organic matter, such as leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps. Compost does not contain live microorganisms like biofertilizers, and is created from mixing different organic matter and letting them decay naturally. It is a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

• Differences: Biofertilizers require less quantity, are costly and difficult to store; they are made of living organisms. Compost is bulky, cheap, easily available, and no special technology or advanced technical knowledge is required.

13. List four problems associated with Jelly making.

Ans:

• Jelly fails to set: Jelly may not set properly if there is an imbalance of the ingredients.
• Cloudy or foggy jelly: The resulting jelly can sometimes be cloudy or foggy due to improper processing or unsuitable raw materials.
• Formation of crystals in jelly: Crystals can form in jelly due to high sugar content or if there is improper dissolution of sugar.
• Syneresis or weeping of jelly: Syneresis refers to the weeping of liquid, or separation of liquid from jelly which results in poor texture of the final product.

14. Write two advantages of surface irrigation.

Ans: Any Two

• Low initial cost: Surface irrigation has a low initial cost, as it requires very little infrastructure.
• Cost effective and easy method: This method is cheap and easy to adopt in farms.
• Suitable for specific crops: It is suitable for crops such as paddy and jute, because they require large volumes of water.

• Easy to use and easy to maintain: The method is easy to use and requires simple and local equipment.

15. Explain the role of salt in preservation of horticultural produce.

Ans: Preservative Action: Salt acts as a preservative due to its ability to inhibit microbial growth.

• High Osmotic Pressure: Salt creates a high osmotic pressure, which draws moisture from the microbial cells, leading to plasmolysis and cell death.
• Dehydration: It also helps in dehydrating food and microorganisms. 
• Formation of chloride ions: Salt ionizes to yield chloride ions, which are harmful to microorganisms. 
• Reduces Oxygen solubility: It reduces the solubility of oxygen in water, which in turn  sensitizes the cells against CO₂.

16. Write the scientific name of the following honey bees :

(a) Indian bee

(b) Little bee

Ans: (a) Apis indica

(b) Apis florea

Answer any 2 out of the given 3 questions in 30 50 words each. 2×3=6

17. Name two fruits suitable for kitchen gardening and list at least four advantages of kitchen gardening.

Ans: Suitable fruits for kitchen gardening: Papaya, banana, grapes, lime, and karonda are some suitable fruit trees. 

Advantages of kitchen gardening: 

• Recreation and Exercise: It provides a good opportunity for recreation and physical exercise to family members. 
• Knowledge of Food Production: It also increases the knowledge of family members about vegetable production. 
• Utilization of Leisure Time: It is a good activity for utilizing leisure time, while producing food.
• Standard of Living: It improves the standard of living by providing nutritious fresh vegetables and cutting down the expenditure on purchasing vegetables.
• Organic produce: It is an opportunity for organic farming to get pesticides free vegetables.
• Green environment: It creates a healthy green environment near the house.
• Quality and Reliability: It provides better pleasure, satisfaction, and reliability during eating meals.
• Sudden requirement of vegetables: The family can meet the sudden requirement of vegetables.
• Additional Source of income: It can provide some additional income.

18. Describe the various processes involved during the secondary processing of cereal.

Ans: Secondary processing of cereals includes the following processes: fermentation, baking, puffing, flaking, frying, and extrusion.

• Fermentation: It is a process which includes the breakdown of carbohydrates by microorganisms, using bacteria or yeast, which produces organic acids and alcohol. Fermentation increases digestibility.
• Baking: It includes heating flour-based dough in an oven to convert it into an edible product, such as bread.
• Puffing: Puffing involves rapid expansion of grains by sudden heating or pressure change to create light and crunchy products.
• Flaking: Flaking involves processing grains into thin flakes which can be further used in breakfast cereals or other ready to eat products.
• Frying: Frying involves cooking grains in oil to create snacks and other products, for example, fried rice, pakoras etc.
• Extrusion: Extrusion involves passing the grain through a machine which forces it into different shapes. This is used for creating many products like snack pellets.

19. Why is it necessary to preserve food?

Ans:

• Prevent spoilage and waste: Food preservation is important in preventing spoilage and food waste due to microbial growth, enzymatic action or oxidation. 
• Retaining color, taste and nutritional value: It is important to preserve food to retain the color, taste and nutritional value for a longer period of time. 
• Prolong Shelf Life: Preservation methods help prolong the shelf life of food products, which allows us to use them for a longer period. 
• Reduce Loss: Preservation helps in reducing the loss of food due to spoilage, handling and other factors.
• Increase food supply: Food preservation methods allow increase in food supply by making the food products available for a longer period. 
• Prevent food contamination: Preservation techniques help in preventing food contamination due to microbes, which can make it unfit for human consumption. 
• Making food available: Preservation makes sure that the food is available for a longer period and is not limited to only the harvest season. 
• To save money: Preservation can help save money, as you can utilize seasonal food for a longer period, and need not buy them often. 
• Control price during oversupply: Preservation methods also help in controlling the price of the produce during conditions of oversupply.

Answer any 3 out of the given 5 questions in 50-80 words each. 3×4=12

20. What is irrigation? List the disadvantages of sprinkler irrigation.

Ans: Irrigation is the process of applying controlled amounts of water to land to help grow crops, landscape plants, and lawns.

• Disadvantages of sprinkler irrigation:

• High initial cost: Sprinkler irrigation is costly, and it can not be adopted by farmers with limited resources.
• Poor application efficiency: It can have low application efficiency in windy weather, and high temperatures.
• Evaporation losses: There can be high evaporation losses in sprinkler systems due to water being sprayed in the air.
• Water quality: The water for this purpose should be free of debris.
• Careful handling required: The system requires careful handling of the equipment.
• Damage to crops: There can be physical damage to crops by high-intensity spraying.
• Power Required: Sprinkler irrigation also needs power for running pumping units.
• Not Suitable For Some Plants: It is not suitable for some plants, especially the trees.

21. Define home garden. List out the principles of home gardening related to vegetable cultivation.

Ans: Home or kitchen garden refers to the cultivation of vegetables near the home, or at the backyard of the house, to produce vegetables for the family throughout the year.

• Principles of Home Gardening for Vegetable Cultivation:

• Staking varieties of vegetables should be preferred for kitchen gardening, so that they can take up less space.
• A proper planning should be done before sowing to ensure a continuous supply of vegetables that are full of nutrients without any glut.
• The vegetables like cucurbits and beans can be grown around the border, so they are allowed to spread on the fences.
• The root crops like radish, turnip, carrot etc., should be raised on ridges for easier growth and harvesting.
• Under fruit trees, you can plant shade-loving plants like ginger and turmeric.
• Proper crop rotation should be followed for better soil health.

22. What is vermicomposting ? Write the advantages of vermicompost.

Ans: Vermicomposting is the process of turning organic debris into worm castings with the help of earthworms. The worm castings are very beneficial to the fertility of the soil.

Advantages of vermicompost:

Actinomycetes:

• Actinomycetes are found in vermicompost 8 times more than FYM, and increase the resistance power of crops against pests and diseases.
• Rich in essential nutrients: Vermicompost is rich in essential plant nutrients.
• Plant growth: It provides an excellent effect on overall plant growth, and improves the quality and shelf life of the produce.
• Easy and safe to use: Vermicompost is free-flowing, easy to apply, handle and store, and does not have bad odour.
• Soil health: It improves soil structure, texture, aeration and water holding capacity and also prevents soil erosion.

Microflora:

• Vermicompost is rich in beneficial microflora such as nitrogen fixers and phosphorus solubilizers and cellulose decomposing micro flora, which helps improve the soil environment.
• Earthworm population: Vermicompost contains earthworms, cocoons, and helps increase the population and activity of earthworms in the soil.
• Soil protection: It helps neutralize the soil reaction and protects the soil.

23. With the help of a flowchart, explain the preparation of green chilli pickle.

Ans: Preparation of Green Chilli Pickle

Start

• Selection of fresh green chillies
• Washing and drying thoroughly
• Slitting or cutting chillies
• Preparing spice mixture
• Mixing chillies with spices
• Adding lemon juice or vinegar
• Heating and cooling mustard oil
• Mixing oil with spiced chillies
• Storing in an airtight glass jar
• Sun drying for a few days
• Ready to consume

Ingredients:

• Green chillies – 1 kg, salt – 150 gm
• Mustard (ground) – 100 gm
• Lime juice – 200 ml (or) amchur – 200 gm
• Fenugreek, cardamom (large), turmeric, cumin (powdered) – 15 gm each
• Mustard oil – 400 ml

The flow of the process is as follows:

• Wash green chillies.
• Dry them completely.
• Make an incision in the green chillies.
• Mix all the spices in a little lime juice.
• Mix the chillies with spice and lime juice mixture.
• Fill the mixture into a jar.
• Add lime juice and oil to the mixture in the jar.
• Keep the pickle in the sun for a week to mature.
• Store it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

24. (a) Discuss the principle and operation of Zero Energy Cool Chamber.

(b) Draw a diagram of Zero Energy Cool Chamber.

Ans: (a) Discuss the principle and operation of Zero Energy Cool Chamber.

The zero energy cool chamber works on the principle of direct evaporative cooling by maintaining the temperature and relative humidity during summer and winter naturally with the application of water. It does not use any electricity and helps in enhancing the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables by keeping them cooler.

Operation:

• The structure is made wet by sprinkling water twice daily (morning and evening) to keep it cool.
• A drip system with plastic pipes and micro tubes connected to an overhead water source can be used to keep it moist.
• The horticultural produce is kept in perforated plastic crates which are covered by a thin polyethylene sheet.
• A maximum and minimum thermometer and hygrometer is used in the chamber for recording temperature and relative humidity.

(b) Draw a diagram of Zero Energy Cool Chamber.