PAST PAPER AGRICULTURE OFFICER (HORTICULTURE) PPSC [SOLVED]

1. Which of the following nutrients is essential for photosynthesis in plants?
A) Calcium
B) Phosphorus
C) Nitrogen
D) Magnesium
Answer: D) Magnesium

2. What is the primary purpose of crop rotation?
A) Increase crop yield
B) Reduce pest and disease problems
C) Increase water usage
D) Decrease soil pH
Answer: B) Reduce pest and disease problems

3. Horticulture is mainly concerned with the cultivation of:
A) Staple grains
B) Fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants
C) Livestock
D) Aquatic plants
Answer: B) Fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants

4. In water management, which irrigation method is known for water conservation?
A) Flood irrigation
B) Sprinkler irrigation
C) Furrow irrigation
D) Drip irrigation
Answer: D) Drip irrigation

5. Which macronutrient is most often responsible for leaf growth in plants?
A) Phosphorus
B) Potassium
C) Nitrogen
D) Calcium
Answer: C) Nitrogen

6. What is the pH range most suitable for crop production?
A) 3.0-4.0
B) 5.5-7.0
C) 8.5-9.0
D) 9.5-10.0
Answer: B) 5.5-7.0

7. Which part of the plant is mainly responsible for water absorption?
A) Leaves
B) Stem
C) Flowers
D) Roots
Answer: D) Roots

8. A high yield variety of wheat developed in Pakistan is known as:
A) IR-8
B) Mexi-Pak
C) Punjab-16
D) Red-Rustic
Answer: B) Mexi-Pak

9. Which of the following methods is commonly used for seedless fruit production?
A) Grafting
B) Pollination
C) Cross-breeding
D) Parthenocarpy
Answer: D) Parthenocarpy

10. The most commonly used organic fertilizer in agriculture is:
A) Urea
B) Ammonium nitrate
C) Cow manure
D) Potash
Answer: C) Cow manure

11. Soil structure is primarily improved by the addition of:
A) Sand
B) Chemical fertilizers
C) Organic matter
D) Pesticides
Answer: C) Organic matter

12. Which element is vital for chlorophyll production in plants?
A) Iron
B) Copper
C) Zinc
D) Magnesium
Answer: D) Magnesium

13. In which type of soil does water drain the quickest?
A) Sandy soil
B) Loamy soil
C) Clay soil
D) Peaty soil
Answer: A) Sandy soil

14. “Layering” is a propagation method used mainly for:
A) Grains
B) Vines and shrubs
C) Root crops
D) Annual flowers
Answer: B) Vines and shrubs

15. Which process converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants?
A) Nitrogen fixation
B) Photosynthesis
C) Transpiration
D) Respiration
Answer: A) Nitrogen fixation

16. A plant disease caused by fungi is:
A) Blight
B) Mosaic
C) Curl
D) Rust
Answer: D) Rust

17. In water management, “rainwater harvesting” is used for:
A) Increasing soil erosion
B) Preventing soil fertility
C) Collecting and storing rainwater
D) Fertilizing soil
Answer: C) Collecting and storing rainwater

18. The term “transpiration” refers to:
A) Water loss through leaves
B) Nutrient absorption through roots
C) Gas exchange in stems
D) Seed germination process
Answer: A) Water loss through leaves

19. Which macronutrient is essential for root development?
A) Nitrogen
B) Potassium
C) Calcium
D) Phosphorus
Answer: D) Phosphorus

20. Organic farming avoids the use of:
A) Compost
B) Synthetic pesticides
C) Mulching
D) Green manure
Answer: B) Synthetic pesticides

21. “Photosynthesis” takes place primarily in which part of the plant?
A) Stems
B) Roots
C) Leaves
D) Flowers
Answer: C) Leaves

22. Which method is widely used for controlling soil erosion?
A) Monoculture
B) Terrace farming
C) Slash-and-burn
D) Crop removal
Answer: B) Terrace farming

23. “Hydroponics” is a method of growing plants without:
A) Soil
B) Water
C) Sunlight
D) Nutrients
Answer: A) Soil

24. Plants that require less water are classified as:
A) Hydrophytes
B) Xerophytes
C) Mesophytes
D) Halophytes
Answer: B) Xerophytes

25. Which of the following is considered a micronutrient for plants?
A) Nitrogen
B) Potassium
C) Magnesium
D) Zinc
Answer: D) Zinc

26. What is the main purpose of mulching in agriculture?
A) To increase pest activity
B) To retain soil moisture
C) To enhance root growth
D) To reduce soil fertility
Answer: B) To retain soil moisture

27. “Pollination” in plants is primarily required for:
A) Leaf formation
B) Seed and fruit production
C) Root development
D) Stem elongation
Answer: B) Seed and fruit production

28. Which irrigation method is most suitable for rice cultivation?
A) Drip irrigation
B) Sprinkler irrigation
C) Flood irrigation
D) Furrow irrigation
Answer: C) Flood irrigation

29. “Germination” refers to the:
A) Growth of the plant’s root system
B) Process of seed development into a plant
C) Nutrient absorption from soil
D) Formation of chlorophyll
Answer: B) Process of seed development into a plant

30. Which crop is most sensitive to water stress?
A) Wheat
B) Rice
C) Barley
D) Cotton
Answer: B) Rice

31. “Grafting” is commonly used in which type of plant cultivation?
A) Cereal crops
B) Vegetable crops
C) Fruit trees
D) Root crops
Answer: C) Fruit trees

32. What is the primary use of pesticides in agriculture?
A) Enhance soil fertility
B) Control pests and diseases
C) Increase soil moisture
D) Prevent weed growth
Answer: B) Control pests and diseases

33. Which element is essential for protein synthesis in plants?
A) Sulfur
B) Phosphorus
C) Potassium
D) Nitrogen
Answer: D) Nitrogen

34. In horticulture, what does the term “perennial” mean?
A) Plants that complete their life cycle in one year
B) Plants that complete their life cycle in two years
C) Plants that grow and bloom for several seasons
D) Plants that do not flower
Answer: C) Plants that grow and bloom for several seasons

35. Which crop is known as the “King of Cereals”?
A) Wheat
B) Rice
C) Maize
D) Barley
Answer: A) Wheat

36. In water engineering, “aquifer” refers to:
A) A source of surface water
B) A layer of rock that holds water underground
C) The topsoil in a field
D) A method of water irrigation
Answer: B) A layer of rock that holds water underground

37. Which process is primarily responsible for the uptake of water in plants?
A) Photosynthesis
B) Osmosis
C) Transpiration
D) Respiration
Answer: B) Osmosis

38. Which gas is released during photosynthesis?
A) Carbon dioxide
B) Nitrogen
C) Oxygen
D) Methane
Answer: C) Oxygen

39. Which type of soil is best suited for horticultural plants?
A) Clay soil
B) Sandy soil
C) Loamy soil
D) Silt soil
Answer: C) Loamy soil

40. The process by which nitrogen is returned to the soil by bacteria is called:
A) Denitrification
B) Nitrification
C) Nitrogen fixation
D) Ammonification
Answer: A) Denitrification

41. Which method of irrigation applies water directly to the base of each plant?
A) Sprinkler irrigation
B) Furrow irrigation
C) Flood irrigation
D) Drip irrigation
Answer: D) Drip irrigation

42. What is the main purpose of pruning in horticulture?
A) Increase root growth
B) Enhance pest resistance
C) Remove dead or diseased branches
D) Improve soil structure
Answer: C) Remove dead or diseased branches

43. Soil pH is important in agriculture because it affects:
A) Water absorption rate
B) Seed size
C) Nutrient availability
D) Plant color
Answer: C) Nutrient availability

44. Which plant family does wheat belong to?
A) Fabaceae
B) Solanaceae
C) Poaceae
D) Asteraceae
Answer: C) Poaceae

45. The primary source of energy for photosynthesis is:
A) Water
B) Sunlight
C) Soil nutrients
D) Oxygen
Answer: B) Sunlight

46. The term “xylem” refers to:
A) The outer bark of a plant
B) Tissue that transports water in plants
C) The reproductive organ in plants
D) A type of root
Answer: B) Tissue that transports water in plants

47. Which of the following is a micronutrient?
A) Potassium
B) Phosphorus
C) Iron
D) Nitrogen
Answer: C) Iron

48. The main aim of organic farming is to:
A) Use synthetic chemicals
B) Maximize crop yield
C) Maintain environmental sustainability
D) Increase water usage
Answer: C) Maintain environmental sustainability

49. Which plant structure helps in the absorption of nutrients?
A) Leaves
B) Stem
C) Root hairs
D) Flowers
Answer: C) Root hairs

50. In agriculture, “tillage” refers to:
A) Planting seeds
B) Irrigating crops
C) Preparing the soil for planting
D) Applying fertilizers
Answer: C) Preparing the soil for planting

51. Which type of plant is best suited for arid climates?
A) Hydrophytes
B) Mesophytes
C) Xerophytes
D) Halophytes
Answer: C) Xerophytes

52. In water management, “drought” refers to:
A) Excessive rainfall
B) Lack of sufficient rainfall over an extended period
C) An increase in groundwater
D) A seasonal river flood
Answer: B) Lack of sufficient rainfall over an extended period

53. The scientific study of soil is known as:
A) Ecology
B) Agronomy
C) Horticulture
D) Pedology
Answer: D) Pedology

54. Which of the following is NOT a method of vegetative propagation?
A) Seed sowing
B) Cutting
C) Grafting
D) Layering
Answer: A) Seed sowing

55. The “Green Revolution” primarily focused on improving:
A) Livestock production
B) Crop yield through technology and genetics
C) Aquaculture
D) Urban farming
Answer: B) Crop yield through technology and genetics

56. Which of the following is a primary macronutrient?
A) Copper
B) Iron
C) Nitrogen
D) Manganese
Answer: C) Nitrogen

57. Crop rotation helps to:
A) Decrease soil fertility
B) Prevent pest and disease buildup
C) Reduce water use
D) Increase crop uniformity
Answer: B) Prevent pest and disease buildup

58. Which of the following is an example of a cover crop?
A) Corn
B) Rye
C) Rice
D) Cotton
Answer: B) Rye

59. An example of a perennial crop is:
A) Wheat
B) Maize
C) Banana
D) Sunflower
Answer: C) Banana

60. What is the process of hardening off plants?
A) Reducing soil pH
B) Preparing plants for outdoor conditions
C) Increasing nutrient levels
D) Exposing plants to extreme sunlight
Answer: B) Preparing plants for outdoor conditions

61. The study of fruits and fruit production is known as:
A) Agronomy
B) Olericulture
C) Pomology
D) Botany
Answer: C) Pomology

62. Which component is essential for water absorption in soil?
A) Sand
B) Clay
C) Organic matter
D) Silt
Answer: C) Organic matter

63. What type of soil holds the most water?
A) Sandy soil
B) Loamy soil
C) Clay soil
D) Silty soil
Answer: C) Clay soil

64. Which of the following pests primarily affects cotton?
A) Stem borer
B) Bollworm
C) Aphids
D) Mealybug
Answer: B) Bollworm

65. In which part of the plant does photosynthesis occur?
A) Stems
B) Roots
C) Leaves
D) Flowers
Answer: C) Leaves

66. Which of the following irrigation techniques is most water-efficient?
A) Flood irrigation
B) Sprinkler irrigation
C) Drip irrigation
D) Furrow irrigation
Answer: C) Drip irrigation

67. An “aquifer” is best described as:
A) A natural lake
B) An underground water reservoir
C) A man-made water source
D) A type of irrigation
Answer: B) An underground water reservoir

68. Which of the following improves soil aeration?
A) Excessive watering
B) Soil compaction
C) Organic matter addition
D) Sand removal
Answer: C) Organic matter addition

69. Nitrogen fixation primarily occurs through:
A) Soil erosion
B) Photosynthesis
C) Certain bacteria in the soil
D) Plant respiration
Answer: C) Certain bacteria in the soil

70. The scientific study of soil is known as:
A) Pedology
B) Agronomy
C) Horticulture
D) Botany
Answer: A) Pedology

71. In which process is chlorophyll essential?
A) Respiration
B) Osmosis
C) Photosynthesis
D) Germination
Answer: C) Photosynthesis

72. Which crop is highly salt-tolerant?
A) Rice
B) Wheat
C) Barley
D) Cotton
Answer: C) Barley

73. The main function of plant roots is:
A) Photosynthesis
B) Reproduction
C) Nutrient and water absorption
D) Seed production
Answer: C) Nutrient and water absorption

74. What is the primary use of nitrogen in plants?
A) Leaf color
B) Flowering
C) Protein and enzyme formation
D) Fruit formation
Answer: C) Protein and enzyme formation

75. Which gas is necessary for photosynthesis?
A) Oxygen
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Nitrogen
D) Methane
Answer: B) Carbon dioxide

76. The term “transpiration” refers to:
A) Absorption of water from roots
B) Evaporation of water from leaves
C) Photosynthesis process
D) Respiration in plants
Answer: B) Evaporation of water from leaves

77. Soil erosion can be reduced by:
A) Clear-cutting vegetation
B) Planting cover crops
C) Excessive irrigation
D) Compacting soil
Answer: B) Planting cover crops

78. Which of the following is a major greenhouse gas emitted from agricultural fields?
A) Carbon dioxide
B) Methane
C) Oxygen
D) Argon
Answer: B) Methane

79. The primary component of organic matter in soil is:
A) Sand
B) Clay
C) Humus
D) Silt
Answer: C) Humus

80. Which of the following is a non-renewable resource in agriculture?
A) Solar energy
B) Wind energy
C) Fertilizer minerals
D) Biomass energy
Answer: C) Fertilizer minerals

81. Who is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations (as of 2024)?
A) Ban Ki-moon
B) Antonio Guterres
C) Kofi Annan
D) Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Answer: B) Antonio Guterres

82. What is the capital of Australia?
A) Sydney
B) Melbourne
C) Perth
D) Canberra
Answer: D) Canberra

83. Pakistan became a nuclear power in which year?
A) 1988
B) 1992
C) 1998
D) 2000
Answer: C) 1998

84. The Great Wall of China was primarily built for what purpose?
A) Trade
B) Defense
C) Tourism
D) Agriculture
Answer: B) Defense

85. Which language is considered Pakistan’s official national language?
A) Punjabi
B) Sindhi
C) English
D) Urdu
Answer: D) Urdu

86. What is the largest planet in our solar system?
A) Earth
B) Saturn
C) Jupiter
D) Mars
Answer: C) Jupiter

87. Who wrote the famous Pakistani national song, “Sohni Dharti”?
A) Faiz Ahmed Faiz
B) Habib Jalib
C) Hafeez Jullundhri
D) Masroor Anwar
Answer: D) Masroor Anwar

88. Which vitamin is known as the “sunshine vitamin”?
A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin B
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin D
Answer: D) Vitamin D

89. What does CPU stand for in computers?
A) Central Processing Unit
B) Computer Personal Unit
C) Central Programming Unit
D) Central Printer Unit
Answer: A) Central Processing Unit

90. In which year did Pakistan become an Islamic Republic?
A) 1947
B) 1956
C) 1962
D) 1973
Answer: B) 1956

91. What is the currency of Japan?
A) Yen
B) Won
C) Dollar
D) Peso
Answer: A) Yen

92. How many bones are in the adult human body?
A) 196
B) 206
C) 216
D) 226
Answer: B) 206

93. Which of the following is a primary color?
A) Green
B) Purple
C) Blue
D) Orange
Answer: C) Blue

94. The study of weather is called:
A) Meteorology
B) Geology
C) Biology
D) Ecology
Answer: A) Meteorology

95. What is the Urdu word for “Water”?
A) دریا
B) پانی
C) سمندر
D) آب
Answer: B) پانی

96. The river Indus originates from which region?
A) Himalayas
B) Hindu Kush
C) Karakoram
D) Western Ghats
Answer: A) Himalayas

97. Who wrote the famous English play “Hamlet”?
A) William Wordsworth
B) John Keats
C) Charles Dickens
D) William Shakespeare
Answer: D) William Shakespeare

98. The numeric value of “fifty-two” is:
A) 50
B) 52
C) 55
D) 60
Answer: B) 52

99. Which of the following is an output device?
A) Keyboard
B) Monitor
C) Mouse
D) Scanner
Answer: B) Monitor

100. Who was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan?
A) Liaquat Ali Khan
B) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
C) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
D) Ayub Khan
Answer: A) Liaquat Ali Khan