Explanation

• Grasshoppers and crickets are common insects found in fields and gardens.
• They feed on leaves and stems of plants by cutting and chewing plant tissues.

Additional information:

Types of insect mouthparts and examples:

• Chewing / Cutting – Grasshopper, Cricket, Beetle
• Sucking – Aphids, Sugarcane pyrilla, Mosquito
• Sponging – Housefly
• Piercing – Mosquito, Bedbug
• Lapping – Honeybee

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• Groundnut (peanut) varieties are developed for better yield, disease resistance, and oil content.
• Popular varieties include BARI-2016, Lasani, and Galaxy-13.

Additional information:

• BARI-2016 – high-yielding, suitable for rainfed areas
• Lasani – drought-resistant, oil-rich variety
• Galaxy-13 – good for both oil and edible purposes
• Punjab-2011 – suitable for saline soils
• Golden – high pod-to-shell ratio

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• Cutting the top portion of a stem or plant is a horticultural practice to control growth.
• It encourages bushy growth and more branching.
• This process is called Heading Back.

Additional information:

Common plant pruning/cutting methods:

• Heading Back – cutting top portion to promote branching
• Thinning – removing whole branches or plants to reduce density
• Pinching – removing tips of shoots to encourage lateral growth
• Coppicing – cutting plants near the base for regeneration
• Pruning – general removal of unnecessary or dead parts

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• Dobari crops are crops sown on residual soil moisture after the main crop harvest.
• They allow farmers to make use of remaining moisture without additional irrigation.

Additional information:

Examples of dobari crops in Pakistan:

• Wheat – after rice harvest
• Barley – after maize harvest
• Gram – after rice or sorghum
• Lentil – after kharif pulses
• Mustard – after rice in Punjab

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• The time between the first and last irrigation of a crop is important for planning water schedules.
• It represents the entire irrigation period needed for crop growth.
• This period is called the Base Period.

Additional information:

• Base period helps in calculating water scheduling and canal supply.
• It varies for different crops and climatic conditions.

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• The downward movement of water through soil layers is a key process in hydrology and agriculture.
• Water moves from the soil surface to lower layers due to gravity.
• This process is called Percolation.

Additional information:

Types of water movement in soil:

• Percolation – downward movement through soil
• Seepage – movement through soil horizontally or to groundwater
• Infiltration – water entering the soil surface
• Runoff – water flowing over the surface
• Capillary rise – upward movement of water

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• Trench planting method is a common agricultural technique for planting sugarcane.
• In this method, trenches are dug, and sugarcane setts are placed in them for proper growth.
• This ensures better root development, water retention, and crop yield.

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• A pheromone trap is an insect control tool used in agriculture.
• It releases chemical signals (pheromones) to attract insects.
• Specifically, it attracts male insects to disrupt mating and reduce pest population.

Additional information:

Common insects targeted by pheromone traps:

• Cotton bollworm – Male moths
• Fruit flies – Male flies
• Mango hoppers – Male insects
• Diamondback moth – Male larvae
• Rice stem borer – Male moths

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• The Extension Department works to transfer agricultural knowledge to farmers.
• Its primary role is to educate farmers about modern farming practices.

Additional information:

Major functions of agricultural extension services:

• Farmer education and training
• Transfer of technology
• Field demonstrations
• Advisory services
• Awareness about new crop varieties

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• A Participatory approach involves active participation of all stakeholders.
• In this approach, farmers and extension workers share ideas and feedback.
• Communication flows both from sender to receiver and receiver to sender.
• Therefore, communication in a participatory approach is two-way.

Last verified on 24-01-2026