MCQs on Harvesting and Post-Harvest Technology for Major Agricultural Crops
Harvesting and Post-Harvest Technology for Major Agricultural Crops: MCQ for ICAR-JEF, ICAR-SRF, ICAR-NET, IBPS-AFO/SO, Pre-PG, BHU Pre-PG, IFFCO-AGT, CCI, FCI, B.sc, M.sc, etc. MCQs on Harvesting and Post-Harvest Technology for Major Agricultural Crops: Question 1: What is “harvesting” in agriculture?A. Removal of entire plants or economic parts after maturity from the fieldB. The process of sowing seeds in the fieldC. The application of fertilizers and pesticides to cropsD. Rotating different crops in a multi-year cycle Answer: A. Removal of entire plants or economic parts after maturity from the fieldExplanation: Harvesting refers to the removal of the entire plant or its economic parts from the field after it has reached maturity. The harvested parts could be grains, seeds, leaves, roots, or the entire plant. Question 2: What is “physiological maturity” in crop harvesting?A. The developmental stage after which no further increase in dry matter occurs in the economic partB. The period when crops are ready to be harvestedC. The stage when crops are harvested before reaching full maturityD. The stage when crops are ready for planting Answer: A. The developmental stage after which no further increase in dry matter occurs in the economic partExplanation: Physiological maturity is the stage at which crops no longer increase in dry matter, indicating they have reached optimal growth for harvesting. Question 3: What is “harvest maturity” in crop harvesting?A. The period when crops are ready to be harvested, generally seven days after physiological maturityB. The developmental stage after which no further increase in dry matter occursC. The stage when crops are harvested before reaching full maturityD. The stage when crops are ready for planting Answer: A. The period when crops are ready to be harvested, generally seven days after physiological maturityExplanation: Harvest maturity typically occurs about seven days after physiological maturity, during which time the crops lose moisture and become ready for harvesting. Question 4: Which of the following is an external symptom of physiological maturity in maize?A. A black layer in the placental region of maize kernelsB. Loss of green color from leavesC. Green pods turning brownD. Shedding of leaves Answer: A. A black layer in the placental region of maize kernelsExplanation: A black layer in the placental region of maize kernels is a common external symptom of physiological maturity, indicating that no further dry matter accumulation occurs. Question 5: Which of the following crops typically has physiological maturity indicated by the loss of green color from leaves?A. SoybeanB. MaizeC. Red gramD. Sorghum Answer: A. SoybeanExplanation: The loss of green color from the leaves is a common external symptom of physiological maturity in soybeans, indicating the plant has reached its full growth. Question 6: What is the stubble in agricultural harvesting?A. The portion of the stem left on the field after harvestingB. The roots of the crop that remain after harvestingC. The economic part removed during harvestingD. The process of collecting harvested crops Answer: A. The portion of the stem left on the field after harvestingExplanation: Stubble refers to the portion of the stem left in the field after the crop’s economic part has been removed during harvesting. Question 7: What is the primary economic product in the harvesting of sugarcane?A. Entire plantB. GrainC. SeedD. Leaf Answer: A. Entire plantExplanation: In sugarcane harvesting, the entire plant is the primary economic product, which is processed to extract sugar and other by-products. Question 8: Which crop typically shows physiological maturity when green pods turn brown?A. Red gramB. MaizeC. SorghumD. Soybean Answer: A. Red gramExplanation: The color change in red gram pods from green to brown is a common sign of physiological maturity, indicating that the crop is ready for harvest. Question 9: What is the primary goal of post-harvest technology?A. To preserve the quality and extend the shelf life of harvested cropsB. To rotate crops over a multi-year cycleC. To apply fertilizers to harvested cropsD. To remove unwanted plants from the field Answer: A. To preserve the quality and extend the shelf life of harvested cropsExplanation: The goal of post-harvest technology is to maintain the quality and extend the shelf life of harvested crops, minimizing spoilage and losses. Question 10: Which field crop is indicated by a black layer in the placental region as a sign of physiological maturity?A. MaizeB. SorghumC. SoybeanD. Red gram Answer: A. MaizeExplanation: A black layer in the placental region of maize kernels is a clear sign of physiological maturity, indicating that the crop is ready for harvest. Question 11: What is a key harvest maturity symptom for rice?A. Hard and yellow-colored grainsB. Yellowing of spikeletsC. Compact earsD. Brown-colored pods Answer: A. Hard and yellow-colored grainsExplanation: Rice reaches harvest maturity when the grains become hard and yellow-colored, indicating readiness for harvest. Question 12: What is a typical harvest maturity symptom for wheat?A. Yellowing of spikeletsB. Hard and yellow-colored grainsC. Yellow-colored ears, hard grainsD. Compact ears Answer: A. Yellowing of spikeletsExplanation: In wheat, yellowing of spikelets is a sign of harvest maturity, suggesting the grains have dried to the appropriate level for harvest. Question 13: Which of the following is a harvest maturity symptom for sorghum?A. Yellow-colored ears and hard grainsB. Brown-colored podsC. Hard and yellow-colored grainsD. Leaves turn yellow with high sucrose content Answer: A. Yellow-colored ears and hard grainsExplanation: Sorghum exhibits yellow-colored ears and hard grains when it reaches harvest maturity. Question 14: What is a common harvest maturity symptom for pearl millet?A. Compact ears and seeds that come out easily when pressedB. Yellowing of spikeletsC. Hard and yellow-colored grainsD. Brown-colored pods Answer: A. Compact ears and seeds that come out easily when pressedExplanation: Pearl millet reaches harvest maturity when the ears become compact and the seeds come out easily when pressed. Question 15: What is a typical harvest maturity symptom for pulses?A. Brown-colored pods with hard seeds insideB. Compact ears and seeds that come out easily when pressedC. Yellow-colored ears and hard grainsD. Leaves turn yellow with high sucrose content Answer: A. Brown-colored pods with hard seeds insideExplanation: In pulses, brown-colored pods with hard seeds inside are a typical