Explanation

• Strip cropping involves planting different crops in alternate strips along the contour of the land.
• It helps in reducing soil erosion by slowing water runoff and protecting soil.

Additional information:

• Monocropping: Growing a single crop continuously – increases soil erosion risk.
• Shifting cultivation: Clearing new land each season – also leads to erosion.
• Example: Alternating strips of maize and legumes on slopes.

Last verified on 19-01-2026

Explanation

• Intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field.
• It helps in better land use, pest control, and higher overall yield.

Additional information:

• Crop rotation: Growing different crops in the same field in different seasons.
• Mixed farming: Growing crops and raising livestock together.
• Example of intercropping: Maize with legumes.

Last verified on 19-01-2026

Explanation

• Using traps for insects is a mechanical method of pest control.
• It involves physically capturing or killing pests without chemicals.

Additional information:

• Chemical control: Use of pesticides.
• Biological control: Use of natural predators or parasites.
• Examples of traps: Sticky traps, pheromone traps, light traps.

Last verified on 19-01-2026

Explanation

• Sufaida is commonly known as Blue Gum or Eucalyptus.
• Its scientific name is Eucalyptus globulus.

Additional information:

• It is widely planted for timber, paper, and essential oils.
• Fast-growing and used in afforestation and soil conservation programs.

Last verified on 19-01-2026

Explanation

• ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas) maintains the barley gene bank.
• It preserves genetic diversity of barley and other crops for research and breeding.

Additional information:

• CIMMYT: Focuses on wheat and maize improvement.
• ICAR: Indian Council of Agricultural Research, national-level organization.

Last verified on 19-01-2026

Explanation

• DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is an example of an organochlorine pesticide.
• It is used to control insects in agriculture and for malaria control.

Additional information:

• Malathion: Organophosphate pesticide.
• Imidacloprid: Neonicotinoid pesticide.

Last verified on 19-01-2026

Explanation

• Cotton contributes around 2% to Pakistan’s GDP.
• It is a major cash crop.
• It forms the backbone of the textile industry.
• It is a key part of the economy.

Additional information:

• Cotton supports millions of farmers and workers in Pakistan.
• Pakistan is among the top cotton-producing countries in the world.

Last verified on 19-01-2026

Explanation

EPIDEM was the first computerized simulation model developed to predict and study plant disease epidemics.

It helps in planning control measures and understanding disease spread.

Additional information:

• DSSAT: Crop growth and yield simulation.
• APSIM: Agricultural Production Systems Simulator for cropping systems.
• CROPGRO: Part of DSSAT, for legume crops modeling.

Last verified on 19-01-2026

Explanation

• Apricot rootstock “Hari” is commonly used in Pakistan for grafting apricot trees.
• It provides strong roots and better adaptability to local soil and climate.

Additional information:

• Helps in increased fruit yield and disease resistance.
• Also used in horticulture programs to improve apricot cultivation.

Last verified on 19-01-2026

Explanation

• In PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), the first step is denaturation, where the double-stranded DNA is heated to separate into single strands.
• This allows primers to bind in the next step.

Additional information:

• Second step: Annealing – primers attach to single-stranded DNA.
• Third step: Extension/Replication – DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands.

Last verified on 19-01-2026