MCQ on Plant Protection in Ancient Period for ICAR-JEF, ICAR-SRF, ICAR-NET, IBPS-AFO/SO, Pre-PG, BHU Pre-PG, IFFCO-AGT, CCI, FCI, B.sc, M.sc, All Agriculture Competitive Exams. 1. What were some of the methods used for plant protection in ancient India? a) Chemical pesticides b) Prayers and mantras c) Biological control d) Crop rotation – **Answer:** b) Prayers and mantras – **Explanation:** The text mentions that in ancient India, the only methods known for protecting crops were prayers and mantras. 2. What were some of the pests mentioned in Sanskrit affecting crops? a) Aphids and caterpillars b) Gandhi, Shankhi, Pandarmundi c) Ladybugs and grasshoppers d) Beetles and flies – **Answer:** b) Gandhi, Shankhi, Pandarmundi – **Explanation:** The text lists pests such as gandhi, Shankhi, and Pandarmundi affecting crops. 3. What is “gandhi” believed to represent among the listed pests? a) Offensive odor b) Leaf-chewing insect c) Soil-borne fungus d) Grain-eating bird – **Answer:** a) Offensive odor – **Explanation:** The text suggests that “gandhi” corresponds to the offensive odor, possibly referring to the gandhi bug. 4. What could “shankhi” likely be according to the text? a) Beetle b) Snail c) Caterpillar d) Grasshopper – **Answer:** b) Snail – **Explanation:** The text indicates that “shankhi” must be a snail. 5. What does “pandarmundi” signify in the context of crop damage? a) Yellowing leaves b) White head symptom c) Black spots on stems d) Wilting of plants – **Answer:** b) White head symptom – **Explanation:** The text suggests that “pandarmundi” means white head, which is a typical symptom of the attack of rice stem borer. 6. What is the possible meaning of “dhuli” in relation to plant diseases? a) Powdery mildew b) Rust disease c) Leaf spot d) Root rot – **Answer:** a) Powdery mildew – **Explanation:** The text indicates that “dhuli” means powder, which could refer to powdery mildew of wheat and barley. 7. According to ancient Indian beliefs, what were considered the causes of internal plant diseases? a) Insects and birds b) Fungi and bacteria c) Vata, pitta, and kafa d) Weather conditions – **Answer:** c) Vata, pitta, and kafa – **Explanation:** The text mentions that ancient Indians considered internal diseases of plants to be caused by “vata”, “pitta”, and “kafa”. 8. How were plant diseases categorized based on their causes? a) External and internal b) Biotic and abiotic c) Fungal and bacterial d) Viral and parasitic – **Answer:** a) External and internal – **Explanation:** The text states that ancient Indians categorized plant diseases into two categories: internal and external. 9. Which animals were mentioned as destroyers of crops in ancient India? a) Lions and tigers 116 b) Goats, rats, wild boars c) Elephants and bears d) Wolves and foxes – **Answer:** b) Goats, rats, wild boars – **Explanation:** The text lists goats, rats, and wild boars among the animals mentioned as destroyers of crops. 10. What is suggested as the trigger for developing plant protection technology in ancient India? a) Increased rainfall b) Economic injury level c) Crop rotation practices d) Introduction of chemical pesticides – **Answer:** b) Economic injury level – **Explanation:** The text implies that when the damage to crops due to different pests reached the economic injury level, people might have started thinking about plant protection and developing protection technology. 11. According to Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda, what kind of diseases are bacteria, viruses, and nematodes categorized as? a) External diseases b) Internal diseases c) Fungal diseases d) Abiotic diseases – **Answer:** b) Internal diseases – **Explanation:** Bacteria, viruses, and nematodes are mentioned in the context of internal Disorders were observed in trees in Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda. 12. What are the symptoms attributed to the presence of Vata in trees according to Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda? a) Leaf yellowing and premature drop b) Trunk slender and crooked, knots on trunk or leaves c) Decay of flowers and fruits d) Generally yellowing of leaves and fruits – **Answer:** b) Trunk slender and crooked, knots on trunk or leaves – **Explanation:** Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda attributes symptoms such as trunk slender and crooked, knots on trunk or leaves, and generally yellowing of leaves and fruits to the presence of Vata in trees. 13. What is suggested as the cause of Vata according to Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda? a) Excessive watering b) Saline or alkaline soils c) Arid land with excessive supply of dry and pungent matters d) Viral diseases – **Answer:** c) Arid land with excessive supply of dry and pungent matters – **Explanation:** Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda states that Vata occurs on arid land due to excessive supply of dry and pungent matters. 14. Which of the following is listed as a possible cause for symptoms attributed to Pitta according to Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda? a) Root-infecting fungi b) Leaf-galling insects c) Salinity in irrigation water d) Underground mechanical barrier – **Answer:** c) Salinity in irrigation water – **Explanation:** Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda mentions salinity in irrigation water as a possible cause for symptoms attributed to Pitta. 15. When do symptoms attributed to Pitta usually occur according to Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda? a) Early spring b) Midsummer c) End of summer d) Autumn – **Answer:** c) End of summer – **Explanation:** Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda mentions that symptoms attributed to Pitta occur at the end of summer if trees are excessively watered with bitter, sour, salty, and strong materials. 16. What is suggested as a possible cause for fruit decays according to Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda? a) Leaf-galling insects b) Root-infecting fungi c) Salinity in irrigation water d) Viral diseases – **Answer:** d) Viral diseases – **Explanation:** Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda suggests that fruit decays could be due to viral diseases. 17. According to Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda, what kind of diseases are insects categorized as? a) External diseases b) Internal diseases c) Fungal diseases d) Biotic diseases – **Answer:** a) External diseases – **Explanation:** Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda categorizes insects as external diseases affecting trees. 18. What external factor is listed as a possible cause for symptoms attributed to Vata? a) Frost b) Waterlogging c) Drought d) Excessive watering – **Answer:** c) Drought – **Explanation:** Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda mentions drought as an external factor causing symptoms attributed