MCQ on Tillage for ICAR-JRF/SRF, ICAR-UG, NET, IBPS-AFO, CUET-PG, AAO, FCI, IFFCO, FSO, JET, State exams, Agriculture Supervisor, and other agriculture competitive exams.
1. What is the main purpose of tillage?
a) To improve soil structure
b) To control weeds
c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
d) To increase soil fertility
Answer: c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
2. What is the difference between primary tillage and secondary tillage?
a) Primary tillage is done before planting and secondary tillage is done after planting
b) Primary tillage is done to remove debris and secondary tillage is done to level the soil
c) Primary tillage is done to control weeds and secondary tillage is done to improve soil structure
d) Both A and B
Answer: d) Both A and B
3. What is the name of the person who is considered as the father of tillage?
a) George Washington
b) Thomas Jefferson
c) Jethrotull
d) Abraham Lincoln
Answer: c) Jethrotull
4. What is the term used to describe the physical condition of soil obtained out of tillage?
a) Soil structure
b) Soil fertility
c) Tilth
d) Soil composition
Answer: c) Tilth
5. What are the different types of tilth?
a) Coarse, fine, and moderate
b) Sandy, clay, and loamy
c) Acidic, neutral, and basic
d) Wet, dry, and humid
Answer: a) Coarse, fine, and moderate
6. What is the main objective of primary tillage?
a) To remove debris and level the soil
b) To control weeds and improve soil structure
c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
d) To increase soil fertility
Answer: a) To remove debris and level the soil
7. What is the objective of secondary tillage?
a) To remove debris and level the soil
b) To control weeds and improve soil structure
c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
d) To increase soil fertility
Answer: b) To control weeds and improve soil structure
8. What is the main objective of tillage in relation to seed germination?
a) To provide adequate moisture for seed germination
b) To create the ideal physical conditions for seed germination
c) To add fertilizer to the soil for seed germination
d) To control pests and diseases during seed germination
Answer: b) To create the ideal physical conditions for seed germination
9. What is the main objective of tillage in relation to crop growth?
a) To control weeds and improve soil structure
b) To add fertilizer to the soil for crop growth
c) To control pests and diseases during crop growth
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
10. What is the main objective of tillage in relation to soil conservation?
a) To prevent soil erosion
b) To maintain soil moisture
c) To improve soil structure
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
11. Which type of tillage is done before planting to remove debris and level the soil?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Surface tillage
d) Subsoiling
Answer: a) Primary tillage
12. Which type of tillage is done after planting to control weeds and improve soil structure?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Surface tillage
d) Subsoiling
Answer: b) Secondary tillage
13. Which type of tillage is done to create a fine tilth and prepare the soil for planting?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Surface tillage
d) Subsoiling
Answer: c) Surface tillage
14. Which type of tillage is done to break up compacted soil layers?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Surface tillage
d) Subsoiling
Answer: d) Subsoiling
15. Which type of tillage is done to create a rough surface for water infiltration and erosion control?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Surface tillage
d) Mulch tillage
Answer: d) Mulch tillage
16. What is the main purpose of preparatory tillage in on-season cultivation?
a) To remove debris and level the soil
b) To control weeds
c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
d) To increase soil fertility
Answer: c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
17. What is the main purpose of after-cultivation tillage in on-season cultivation?
a) To remove debris and level the soil
b) To control weeds
c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
d) To increase soil fertility
Answer: b) To control weeds
18. What is the main difference between preparatory tillage and after-cultivation tillage in on-season cultivation?
a) Preparatory tillage is done before planting and after-cultivation tillage is done after planting
b) Preparatory tillage is done to remove debris and level the soil, while after-cultivation tillage is done to control weeds
c) Preparatory tillage is done to control pests and diseases, while after-cultivation tillage is done to increase soil fertility
d) Preparatory tillage is done to prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops, while after-cultivation tillage is done to maintain soil moisture
Answer: a) Preparatory tillage is done before planting and after-cultivation tillage is done after planting
19. What is the main advantage of on-season tillage?
a) It can save time and labor
b) It can improve soil fertility
c) It can increase crop yield
d) All of the above
Answer: a) It can save time and labor
20. What is the main disadvantage of on-season tillage?
a) It can cause soil erosion
b) It can compact the soil
c) It can reduce soil organic matter
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
21. What is the main purpose of preparatory tillage?
a) To remove debris and level the soil
b) To control weeds
c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
d) To increase soil fertility
Answer: c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
22. What type of tillage is used to remove debris and level the soil?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Surface tillage
d) Mulch tillage
Answer: a) Primary tillage
23. What type of tillage is used to control weeds and improve soil structure?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Surface tillage
d) Mulch tillage
Answer: b) Secondary tillage
24. What type of tillage is done to create a fine tilth and prepare the soil for planting?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Surface tillage
d) Mulch tillage
Answer: c) Surface tillage
25. What type of tillage is done to create a rough surface for water infiltration and erosion control?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Surface tillage
d) Mulch tillage
Answer: d) Mulch tillage
Note: Mulch tillage is not a type of preparatory tillage, it is used for erosion control and maintaining soil moisture, therefore it is not the correct option for above questions.
26. What is the main purpose of primary tillage?
a) To remove debris and level the soil
b) To control weeds
c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
d) To increase soil fertility
Answer: c) To prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops
27. What type of implement is used for primary tillage?
a) Country plough
b) Mould board plough
c) Bose plough
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
28. What type of power source is used to pull the primary tillage implements?
a) Tractor
b) Power tiller
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above
Answer: c) Both a and b
29. How does primary tillage affect soil structure?
a) It makes the soil more compact
b) It improves soil structure
c) It has no effect on soil structure
d) It decreases soil fertility
Answer: b) It improves soil structure
30. When is primary tillage typically done?
a) After the harvest of the crop
b) At the onset of the crop season
c) During the growing season
d) Before planting
Answer: a) After the harvest of the crop
31. What is the main purpose of secondary tillage?
a) To remove debris and level the soil
b) To control weeds
c) To bring a good soil tilth and incorporate manure and fertilizers
d) To increase soil fertility
Answer: c) To bring a good soil tilth and incorporate manure and fertilizers
32. What type of implements are used for secondary tillage?
a) Harrows
b) Cultivators
c) Guntakas
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
33. What is the purpose of planking in secondary tillage?
a) To remove debris
b) To crush hard clods
c) To level the soil surface
d) To increase soil fertility
Answer: b) To crush hard clods and c) To level the soil surface
34. How does secondary tillage differ from primary tillage?
a) Secondary tillage is done before primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage is done after primary tillage and consists of lighter operations
c) Secondary tillage is done during the growing season
d) Secondary tillage is done to remove debris
Answer: b) Secondary tillage is done after primary tillage and consists of lighter operations
35. What is one of the components of preparatory tillage?
a) Layout of seed bed
b) Planking
c) Harrowing
d) All of the above
Answer: a) Layout of seed bed
36. What is another name for after cultivation or inter tillage?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Post-seeding/planting cultivation
d) Pre-harvest cultivation
Answer: c) Post-seeding/planting cultivation
37. When are the tillage operations of after cultivation or inter tillage carried out?
a) Before sowing or planting
b) After sowing or planting and prior to harvesting
c) During the growing season
d) After harvest
Answer: b) After sowing or planting and prior to harvesting
38. What are some examples of tillage operations in after cultivation or inter tillage?
a) Harrowing
b) Hoeing
c) Weeding
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
39. What is the purpose of after-cultivation or inter-tillage?
a) To control weeds and pests
b) To improve soil tilth
c) To incorporate fertilizers
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
40. What are the tools and implements used in after cultivation or inter tillage?
a) Spade
b) Hoe
c) Weeder
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
41. What is the purpose of off-season tillage?
a) To prepare the soil for the current crop season
b) To condition the soil for the forthcoming main season crop
c) To improve soil tilth
d) To control weeds and pests
Answer: b) To condition the soil for the forthcoming main season crop
42. What are some examples of off-season tillage?
a) Post harvest tillage
b) Summer tillage
c) Winter tillage
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
43. When is post harvest tillage typically done?
a) After the harvest of the current crop season
b) Before the planting of the next crop season
c) During the growing season
d) Before harvest
Answer: a) After the harvest of the current crop season
44. What are the main tools used in off-season tillage?
a) Plough
b) Harrow
c) Cultivator
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
45. What is the main goal of fallow tillage?
a) To improve soil fertility
b) To control pests and diseases
c) To allow the land to rest and rejuvenate
d) To prepare the land for planting
Answer: c) To allow the land to rest and rejuvenate
46. What is the purpose of sub-soiling?
a. To break the hard pan beneath the plough layer
b. To increase soil compaction
c. To reduce runoff and soil erosion
d. To extract moisture from the water table
Answer: a. To break the hard pan beneath the plough layer
47. How often is sub-soiling typically performed?
a. Once a year
b. Twice a year
c. Every three years
d. Once in four to five years
Answer: d. Once in four to five years
48. What are some advantages of subsoiling?
a. Greater volume of soil may be obtained for cultivation of crops
b. Excess water may percolate downward to recharge the permanent water table
c. Reduces runoff and soil erosion
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
49. What is the purpose of clean tillage?
a. To break the hard pan beneath the plough layer
b. To control weeds, soil borne pathogen and pests
c. To reduce compaction
d. To create an impervious layer below the surface
Answer: b. To control weeds, soil borne pathogen and pests
Answer: C) To prevent crop damage while removing extra plants and broad leaved weeds
51. What is the main purpose of dry tillage?
a. To prepare the soil for crops that are sown or planted in dry land conditions
b. To control weeds and pests
c. To remove soil compaction
d. To increase the water holding capacity of the soil
Answer: a. To prepare the soil for crops that are sown or planted in dry land conditions
52. What type of crops is dry tillage suitable for?
a. Broadcasted rice, jute, wheat, oilseed crops, pulses, potato and vegetable crops
b. Irrigated crops such as corn and soybeans
c. Trees and shrubs
d. Annual flowers
Answer: a. Broadcasted rice, jute, wheat, oilseed crops, pulses, potato and vegetable crops
53. How does dry tillage affect the soil?
a. It makes the soil more porous and soft
b. It increases the water holding capacity of the soil
c. It increases the aeration of the soil
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
54. What are the benefits of dry tillage for soil micro-organisms?
a. Favourable conditions for growth and reproduction
b. Increased water and nutrient availability
c. Reduced competition from other organisms
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
55. What is the main purpose of wet tillage or puddling?
a) To create a soft seed bed for planting rice
b) To increase the water holding capacity of the soil
c) To destroy the soil structure
d) To incorporate green manures and weeds
Answer: a) To create a soft seed bed for planting rice
56. What type of crop plant is typically planted after wet tillage or puddling?
a) Broadcasted rice
b) Jute
c) Wheat
d) Semi-aquatic crop plant such as rice
Answer: d) Semi-aquatic crop plant such as rice
57. What type of equipment is typically used for wet tillage or puddling?
a) Wet land ploughs
b) Dry land ploughs
c) Tractors
d) Both a and b
Answer: d) Both a and b
58. What is the effect of wet tillage or puddling on the soil structure?
a) It improves the soil structure
b) It maintains the soil structure
c) It destroys the soil structure
d) It has no effect on the soil structure
Answer: c) It destroys the soil structure
59. What is the benefit of planking after wet tillage or puddling?
a) It makes the soil level and compact
b) It increases the water holding capacity of the soil
c) It destroys the soil structure
d) It hastens transplanting operation and establishment of seedlings.
Answer: a) It makes the soil level and compact
60. What is the desirable depth of ploughing for field crops?
a) 10-15 cm
b) 12-20 cm
c) 15-30 cm
d) 20-35 cm
Answer: b) 12-20 cm
61. How many times should a field be ploughed for shallow-rooted crops?
a) 0 times
b) 1-2 times
c) 3-4 times
d) 10-20 times
Answer: b) 1-2 times
62. Which type of cropping system is zero tillage typically practiced in?
a) Field crops
b) Rice fallow pulses
c) Deep-rooted crops
d) Semi-aquatic crops
Answer: b) Rice fallow pulses
63. When is the optimum moisture level for ploughing to bring favourable tilth?
a) During dry conditions
b) During wet conditions
c) During the early stages of crop growth
d) During the middle of the growing season
Answer: a) During dry conditions
64. How does the number of ploughing depend on the type of cropping system?
a) It is not affected by the cropping system
b) It is affected by the cropping system and number of times is increased for certain systems
c) It is affected by the cropping system and number of times is decreased for certain systems
d) It is affected by the cropping system and number of times is same for all systems
Answer: c) It is affected by the cropping system and number of times is decreased for certain systems.
65. What is the main goal of minimum tillage?
a) To increase the number of tillage operations
b) To maintain a good seed bed with minimal tillage operations
c) To increase the use of heavy machinery in the field
d) To increase the use of chemical fertilizers
Answer: b) To maintain a good seed bed with minimal tillage operations
66. What are the advantages of using minimum tillage over conventional tillage?
a) Increased cost and time for field preparation
b) More soil compaction
c) Destruction of soil structure
d) Reduced water loss through runoff and erosion and increased water storage in the plough layer
Answer: d) Reduced water loss through runoff and erosion and increased water storage in the plough layer
67. What are the two ways to reduce tillage in minimum tillage systems?
a) By increasing the number of operations and using more heavy machinery
b) By combining agricultural operations like seeding and fertilizer application
c) By increasing the use of chemical fertilizers
d) By increasing the number of field operations
Answer: b) By combining agricultural operations like seeding and fertilizer application
68. What are the three categories of minimum tillage systems?
a) Row zone tillage, Plough plant tillage, and Wheel track tillage
b) Conventional tillage, No-tillage, and Reduced tillage
c) Chemical tillage, Organic tillage, and Synthetic tillage
d) Heavy machinery tillage, Hand tillage, and Automatic tillage
Answer: a) Row zone tillage, Plough plant tillage, and Wheel track tillage.
69. What is the main goal of zero tillage (no tillage) farming?
a) To increase the use of heavy machinery in the field
b) To maintain a good seed bed with minimal tillage operations
c) To reduce the use of heavy machinery in the field
d) To eliminate the use of tillage operations entirely
Answer: d) To eliminate the use of tillage operations entirely
70. What are the advantages of using zero tillage (no tillage) over conventional tillage?
a) Increased cost and time for field preparation
b) More soil compaction
c) Improved soil structure and increased organic matter
d) Reduced erosion and increased water retention
Answer: c) Improved soil structure and increased organic matter
71. What are the disadvantages of using zero tillage (no tillage)?
a) Difficulty in weed control
b) Increased dependence on chemical fertilizers
c) Reduced crop yields
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
72. What are the tools and equipment used in zero tillage (no tillage) farming?
a) Conventional tillage equipment such as plows and cultivators
b) Specialized no-till drills or planters
c) Heavy machinery such as tractors
d) Only hand tools such as hoes and rakes
Answer: b) Specialized no-till drills or planters.
73. What is the main goal of stubble mulch tillage or stubble mulch farming?
a) To increase the use of heavy machinery in the field
b) To maintain a good seed bed by leaving crop residue on the soil surface
c) To reduce the use of heavy machinery in the field
d) To eliminate the use of tillage operations entirely
Answer: b) To maintain a good seed bed by leaving crop residue on the soil surface
74. What are the advantages of using stubble mulch tillage over conventional tillage?
a) Reduced erosion and increased water retention
b) Improved soil structure and increased organic matter
c) Increased crop yields
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
75. What is the main principle behind stubble mulch tillage?
a) To plow and bury crop residue
b) To remove all crop residue from the field
c) To leave crop residue on the soil surface to protect and nourish the soil
d) To use chemical fertilizers to improve soil fertility
Answer: c) To leave crop residue on the soil surface to protect and nourish the soil
76. What are the tools and equipment used in stubble mulch tillage?
a) Conventional tillage equipment such as plows and cultivators
b) Specialized no-till drills or planters
c) Heavy machinery such as tractors
d) Only hand tools such as hoes and rakes
Answer: b) Specialized no-till drills or planters.
77. What is the main goal of conservation tillage?
a) To increase the use of heavy machinery in the field
b) To maintain a good seed bed with minimal tillage operations
c) To reduce soil erosion and improve water retention
d) To eliminate the use of tillage operations entirely
Answer: c) To reduce soil erosion and improve water retention
78. What are the advantages of using conservation tillage over conventional tillage?
a) Reduced erosion and increased water retention
b) Improved soil structure and increased organic matter
c) Increased crop yields
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
79. What are the types of conservation tillage?
a) Strip tillage
b) Ridge tillage
c) Mulch tillage
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
80. What are the tools and equipment used in conservation tillage?
a) Conventional tillage equipment such as plows and cultivators
b) Specialized conservation tillage equipment such as strip tillers and ridge tillers
c) Heavy machinery such as tractors
d) Only hand tools such as hoes and rakes
Answer: b) Specialized conservation tillage equipment such as strip tillers and ridge tillers.
81. What are the three main processes involved in main field preparation?
a) Plowing, harrowing, and planting
b) Primary tillage, secondary tillage, and lay-out for sowing
c) Fertilizer application, irrigation, and crop rotation
d) Soil testing, crop selection, and seed sowing
Answer: b) Primary tillage, secondary tillage, and lay-out for sowing
82. What are some examples of primary tillage implements?
a) Cultivators and harrows
b) Country plough, mould board plough, disc plough, chisel plough
c) Tractors and combine harvesters
d) Hoes and rakes
Answer: b) Country plough, mould board plough, disc plough, chisel plough
83. What are cultivators and harrows used for in main field preparation?
a) Primary tillage
b) Secondary tillage
c) Lay-out for sowing
d) Fertilizer application
Answer: b) Secondary tillage
84. What is the purpose of field modifications such as ridges and furrows or beds and channels in main field preparation?
a) To increase soil compaction
b) To reduce soil erosion
c) To improve water retention
d) To provide better conditions for crop growth and production
Answer: d) To provide better conditions for crop growth and production.