The Role of Science in Agriculture (GM Crops, Fertilizers) MCQs

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1. What does GM in GM crops stand for?
(A) Genetically Modified
(B) Generally Modified
(C) Genetically Manufactured
(D) Growth Modified

2. Which scientist is known as the father of genetic engineering in agriculture?
(A) Norman Borlaug
(B) Gregor Mendel
(C) Herbert Boyer
(D) James Watson

3. What is the main purpose of genetically modified crops?
(A) To increase yield and resistance to pests
(B) To reduce soil fertility
(C) To make crops taste bitter
(D) To increase water requirement

4. Which of the following is a common trait engineered into GM crops?
(A) Lower nutritional value
(B) Reduced size
(C) Increased water needs
(D) Herbicide resistance

5. What are fertilizers primarily used for in agriculture?
(A) To increase pest infestation
(B) To provide essential nutrients to plants
(C) To reduce soil quality
(D) To change crop color

6. Which nutrient is commonly found in nitrogen fertilizers?
(A) Nitrogen
(B) Phosphorus
(C) Potassium
(D) Calcium

7. Which fertilizer is known as NPK fertilizer?
(A) Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Carbon
(B) Nitrogen, Potassium, Calcium
(C) Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
(D) Nitrogen, Potassium, Chlorine

8. What is the process called when bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants?
(A) Photosynthesis
(B) Nitrogen fixation
(C) Respiration
(D) Fermentation

9. Which crop was the first genetically modified crop approved for commercial use?
(A) Tomato
(B) Corn
(C) Soybean
(D) Cotton

10. What is the main environmental concern related to excessive fertilizer use?
(A) Pest resistance
(B) Increased soil fertility
(C) Higher crop yield
(D) Soil acidification and water pollution

11. Which GM crop is engineered for insect resistance?
(A) Bt cotton
(B) Golden rice
(C) GM wheat
(D) GM barley

12. What does "Golden Rice" aim to address?
(A) Iron deficiency
(B) Vitamin A deficiency
(C) Protein deficiency
(D) Calcium deficiency

13. Which macronutrient in fertilizers helps with root development and flowering?
(A) Potassium
(B) Nitrogen
(C) Phosphorus
(D) Magnesium

14. What is a major benefit of GM crops?
(A) Reduced pesticide use
(B) Increased need for water
(C) Decreased shelf life
(D) More susceptibility to disease

15. Which fertilizer type releases nutrients slowly over time?
(A) Organic fertilizer
(B) Quick-release fertilizer
(C) Liquid fertilizer
(D) Slow-release fertilizer

16. Which crop is commonly engineered to tolerate herbicides?
(A) Soybean
(B) Wheat
(C) Barley
(D) Rice

17. What is the term for crops developed using modern biotechnology techniques?
(A) GM crops
(B) Organic crops
(C) Traditional crops
(D) Hybrid crops

18. Which is a natural fertilizer?
(A) Urea
(B) Compost
(C) Ammonium nitrate
(D) Superphosphate

19. What is the role of potassium in plants?
(A) Helps in water regulation and enzyme activation
(B) Increases photosynthesis only
(C) Builds plant cell walls
(D) Converts nitrogen into protein

20. What is a potential risk of GM crops?
(A) No environmental impact
(B) Increased yield only
(C) Gene transfer to wild relatives
(D) Reduced growth rate

21. What is the main reason for using fertilizers in agriculture?
(A) To replenish soil nutrients
(B) To control weeds
(C) To increase pests
(D) To reduce soil moisture

22. Which of the following is an example of a micronutrient required by plants?
(A) Nitrogen
(B) Zinc
(C) Phosphorus
(D) Potassium

23. What is the process of crossing plants to produce offspring with desired traits called?
(A) Fermentation
(B) Hybridization
(C) Pollination
(D) Cloning

24. Which scientist won the Nobel Prize for work related to wheat breeding?
(A) Alexander Fleming
(B) Gregor Mendel
(C) Louis Pasteur
(D) Norman Borlaug

25. What is biofertilizer?
(A) Fertilizer made from living microorganisms
(B) Chemical fertilizer
(C) Synthetic pesticide
(D) Herbicide

26. What does “transgenic” mean in GM crops?
(A) Containing genes from different species
(B) Self-pollinated crops
(C) Naturally grown crops
(D) Hybrid crops

27. Which fertilizer provides nitrogen in the form of ammonium and nitrate ions?
(A) Superphosphate
(B) Potassium chloride
(C) Urea
(D) Zinc sulfate

28. What is the impact of excess nitrogen fertilizer on the environment?
(A) Reduced plant growth
(B) Soil enrichment only
(C) Water pollution and eutrophication
(D) Increased pest resistance

29. Which plant hormone is commonly used in GM crops for growth regulation?
(A) Auxin
(B) Insulin
(C) Estrogen
(D) Testosterone

30. What is the main goal of precision agriculture?
(A) Increase water wastage
(B) Increase fertilizer application everywhere
(C) Eliminate the use of technology in farming
(D) Optimize resource use and increase crop efficiency

31. Which of the following crops is genetically modified to produce vitamin-enriched food?
(A) Maize
(B) Golden rice
(C) Wheat
(D) Barley

32. Which fertilizer is commonly used to supply phosphorus to crops?
(A) Potassium sulfate
(B) Urea
(C) Superphosphate
(D) Calcium carbonate

33. Which soil nutrient deficiency causes yellowing of leaves?
(A) Nitrogen deficiency
(B) Phosphorus deficiency
(C) Potassium deficiency
(D) Calcium deficiency

34. What is a major advantage of biofertilizers over chemical fertilizers?
(A) Environmentally friendly and sustainable
(B) Expensive and non-renewable
(C) Cause soil degradation
(D) Harm beneficial microbes

35. Which is a widely used nitrogen fertilizer?
(A) Superphosphate
(B) Potassium chloride
(C) Ammonium nitrate
(D) Zinc sulfate

36. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of GM crops?
(A) Tolerance to environmental stress
(B) Enhanced nutritional content
(C) Resistance to pests and herbicides
(D) Always organic

37. What is crop rotation?
(A) Growing different crops sequentially on the same land
(B) Growing only one crop continuously
(C) Using only GM crops
(D) Applying fertilizers repeatedly

38. Which fertilizer is primarily used to provide potassium?
(A) Urea
(B) Potassium chloride
(C) Superphosphate
(D) Calcium nitrate

39. What is the role of phosphorus in plants?
(A) Energy transfer and root development
(B) Photosynthesis
(C) Water transport
(D) Seed dispersal

40. Which of the following is a benefit of using GM crops in agriculture?
(A) Lower nutritional value
(B) Increased water consumption
(C) Higher yields and reduced pesticide use
(D) Increased susceptibility to pests

41. Which technology is used to create GM crops?
(A) Recombinant DNA technology
(B) Traditional breeding only
(C) Natural selection
(D) Grafting

42. What is the major cause of soil nutrient depletion?
(A) Use of GM crops
(B) Continuous cropping without fertilizer
(C) Crop rotation
(D) Use of biofertilizers

43. Which is a negative environmental impact of excessive fertilizer use?
(A) Increased soil fertility
(B) Nitrate leaching into groundwater
(C) Reduced greenhouse gases
(D) Improved soil structure

44. What is the main component of organic fertilizers?
(A) Plastic compounds
(B) Synthetic chemicals
(C) Mineral salts
(D) Decomposed plant or animal matter

45. Which country was the first to commercially grow GM crops?
(A) China
(B) India
(C) United States
(D) Brazil

46. What is the function of nitrogen in plants?
(A) Protein synthesis and growth
(B) Water absorption
(C) Seed production only
(D) Flower color

47. Which crop has been engineered for drought tolerance?
(A) Maize
(B) Rice
(C) Wheat
(D) Potato

48. What does the term “biotechnology” in agriculture refer to?
(A) Use of living organisms or their products to improve crops
(B) Use of chemical pesticides
(C) Manual labor on farms
(D) Use of machines only

49. What is the main concern related to herbicide-resistant GM crops?
(A) Reduced pesticide use
(B) Increased crop yields
(C) Development of herbicide-resistant weeds
(D) Improved soil quality

50. What is the recommended practice to reduce fertilizer runoff?
(A) Applying fertilizers before heavy rain
(B) Over-application of fertilizer
(C) Ignoring soil tests
(D) Precision application and proper timing