🔵 1. What is the botanical name of sorghum?
A) Sorghum halepense
B) Sorghum vulgare
C) Sorghum bicolor
D) Sorghum saccharatum
Answer: C) Sorghum bicolor
Rationale: Sorghum bicolor is the cultivated species used for grain, fodder, and industrial uses.
🔵 2. Sorghum belongs to which family?
A) Fabaceae
B) Poaceae
C) Solanaceae
D) Brassicaceae
Answer: B) Poaceae
Rationale: Sorghum is a cereal crop and belongs to the grass family Poaceae.
🔵 3. Which is the largest sorghum-producing state in India?
A) Karnataka
B) Maharashtra
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: B) Maharashtra
Rationale: Maharashtra leads in both area and production of sorghum due to its extensive cultivation in drylands.
🔵 4. Sorghum is mainly grown in which season in India?
A) Rabi
B) Zaid
C) Kharif
D) Pre-monsoon
Answer: C) Kharif
Rationale: Sorghum is primarily a Kharif crop, although it can be grown in both Rabi and Kharif in some regions.
🔵 5. What is the average seed rate for sorghum under normal sowing?
A) 2–3 kg/ha
B) 5–8 kg/ha
C) 8–10 kg/ha
D) 15–20 kg/ha
Answer: C) 8–10 kg/ha
Rationale: A seed rate of 8–10 kg/ha ensures optimal plant population under normal sowing conditions.
🔵 6. What is the recommended spacing for sorghum cultivation?
A) 30 x 10 cm
B) 45 x 15 cm
C) 60 x 20 cm
D) 75 x 30 cm
Answer: B) 45 x 15 cm
Rationale: This spacing helps in better aeration, light interception, and nutrient uptake.
🔵 7. Which nutrient deficiency causes purple discoloration of sorghum leaves?
A) Nitrogen
B) Phosphorus
C) Potassium
D) Zinc
Answer: B) Phosphorus
Rationale: Phosphorus deficiency leads to purple leaves due to impaired energy metabolism.
🔵 8. What is the critical stage for irrigation in sorghum?
A) Flowering
B) Tillering
C) Booting
D) Maturity
Answer: A) Flowering
Rationale: Moisture stress at flowering drastically reduces yield by affecting pollination and grain setting.
🔵 9. Sorghum crop is most sensitive to waterlogging during which stage?
A) Sowing
B) Vegetative
C) Flowering
D) Germination
Answer: D) Germination
Rationale: Waterlogging during germination can prevent seed emergence and cause seed rot.
🔵 10. Which of the following is a major disease of sorghum?
A) Blast
B) Ergot
C) Downy mildew
D) Leaf rust
Answer: B) Ergot
Rationale: Ergot causes pinkish fungal growth in grains and is highly toxic if consumed.
🔵 11. Which hybrid of sorghum was the first commercial hybrid released in India?
A) CSH-1
B) SPV-462
C) CSV-15
D) DSH-3
Answer: A) CSH-1
Rationale: CSH-1 was the first commercial sorghum hybrid released in 1964, marking the beginning of hybrid sorghum cultivation in India.
🔵 12. Sorghum is highly drought tolerant because of:
A) Deep roots
B) Waxy leaf coating
C) Ability to roll leaves
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Sorghum has multiple physiological adaptations like leaf rolling, waxy cuticle, and deep roots to survive drought.
🔵 13. Which pigment is responsible for the red coloration of some sorghum grains?
A) Anthocyanin
B) Lycopene
C) Carotene
D) Chlorophyll
Answer: A) Anthocyanin
Rationale: Anthocyanins are red pigments that accumulate in the seed coat of red sorghum varieties.
🔵 14. The inflorescence of sorghum is called:
A) Spike
B) Panicle
C) Head
D) Raceme
Answer: B) Panicle
Rationale: Sorghum has a loose or compact panicle-type inflorescence.
🔵 15. Sorghum has how many chromosomes?
A) 2n = 14
B) 2n = 20
C) 2n = 36
D) 2n = 40
Answer: C) 2n = 20
Rationale: The basic chromosome number for sorghum is 2n = 20.
🔵 16. Which is the major pest of sorghum affecting stems?
A) Stem borer
B) Armyworm
C) Aphids
D) Grasshopper
Answer: A) Stem borer
Rationale: Stem borers bore into the stem, reducing plant vigor and leading to dead hearts.
🔵 17. The 'dead heart' symptom in sorghum is caused by:
A) Shoot fly
B) Stem borer
C) Root grub
D) Termite
Answer: A) Shoot fly
Rationale: Shoot fly larvae damage the central shoot, causing it to dry up, resulting in a ‘dead heart’.
🔵 18. Which fungal disease produces honeydew and sclerotia in sorghum?
A) Smut
B) Ergot
C) Rust
D) Downy mildew
Answer: B) Ergot
Rationale: Ergot disease causes sugary exudates and replaces grain with sclerotia, which is toxic.
🔵 19. The protein present in sorghum is:
A) Zein
B) Gluten
C) Hordenin
D) Kafirin
Answer: D) Kafirin
Rationale: Kafirin is the main storage protein in sorghum, a prolamin type.
🔵 20. Which micronutrient deficiency commonly affects sorghum on calcareous soils?
A) Iron
B) Zinc
C) Copper
D) Boron
Answer: B) Zinc
Rationale: Zinc becomes less available in high pH (alkaline/calcareous) soils, causing deficiency in sorghum.
🔵 21. Which component makes sorghum less digestible?
A) Gluten
B) Tannin
C) Cellulose
D) Oxalate
Answer: B) Tannin
Rationale: Tannins in the seed coat reduce protein digestibility and mineral absorption.
🔵 22. The ideal temperature for sorghum germination is:
A) 10–15°C
B) 15–20°C
C) 25–30°C
D) 35–40°C
Answer: C) 25–30°C
Rationale: Sorghum requires warm soil temperatures for rapid and uniform germination.
🔵 23. What is the average duration of most kharif sorghum varieties?
A) 60–70 days
B) 80–100 days
C) 100–120 days
D) 120–140 days
Answer: B) 80–100 days
Rationale: Most kharif sorghum varieties mature within 80–100 days depending on local conditions.
🔵 24. What is the primary use of sweet sorghum?
A) Fodder
B) Sugar production
C) Fuel
D) Fiber
Answer: B) Sugar production
Rationale: Sweet sorghum is used for juice extraction and ethanol production due to high sugar content in stalks.
🔵 25. Which of the following is NOT a fodder-type sorghum variety?
A) SSG 59-3
B) CSV-21
C) CO-FS-29
D) HC-136
Answer: B) CSV-21
Rationale: CSV-21 is a grain sorghum, while others are forage/fodder types.
🔵 26. Which enzyme reduces digestibility in high-tannin sorghum varieties?
A) Trypsin
B) Amylase
C) Polyphenol oxidase
D) None of the above
Answer: C) Polyphenol oxidase
Rationale: Polyphenol oxidase works with tannins, forming complexes that reduce digestibility.
🔵 27. At what stage is sorghum harvested for silage making?
A) Vegetative
B) Flowering
C) Milk
D) Dough
Answer: D) Dough
Rationale: Dough stage has optimal moisture and nutrient content for high-quality silage.
🔵 28. R-line in sorghum hybrid seed production refers to:
A) Resistant line
B) Restorer line
C) Reproductive line
D) Rooted line
Answer: B) Restorer line
Rationale: In hybrid production, R-line restores fertility in progeny when crossed with A-line.
🔵 29. Which institute is the national center for sorghum research in India?
A) IARI, Delhi
B) CRIDA, Hyderabad
C) ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad
D) IIHR, Bangalore
Answer: C) ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad
Rationale: The Indian Institute of Millets Research is the nodal center for sorghum and other millet research.
🔵 30. Which practice helps control shoot fly in sorghum?
A) Late sowing
B) Sparse spacing
C) Intercropping
D) High nitrogen
Answer: C) Intercropping
Rationale: Intercropping reduces pest population and breaks pest cycles effectively.
🔵 31. What is the major constraint in using sorghum grain for poultry feed?
A) Low protein content
B) High oil content
C) Presence of tannins
D) High moisture content
Answer: C) Presence of tannins
Rationale: Tannins reduce palatability and nutrient digestibility, limiting its use in poultry feed.
🔵 32. The average seed rate for sorghum under normal conditions is:
A) 2–3 kg/ha
B) 8–10 kg/ha
C) 12–15 kg/ha
D) 18–20 kg/ha
Answer: B) 8–10 kg/ha
Rationale: This seed rate ensures adequate plant population under normal sowing conditions.
🔵 33. The ideal pH range for sorghum cultivation is:
A) 4.5–5.5
B) 5.5–6.0
C) 6.0–7.5
D) 8.0–9.0
Answer: C) 6.0–7.5
Rationale: Sorghum grows well in slightly acidic to neutral soils.
🔵 34. The critical stage for irrigation in sorghum is:
A) Germination
B) Booting
C) Flowering
D) Maturity
Answer: C) Flowering
Rationale: Flowering is a moisture-sensitive stage; drought during this time reduces grain yield drastically.
🔵 35. Which practice can reduce lodging in sorghum?
A) Heavy irrigation
B) Dense sowing
C) Balanced fertilization
D) High nitrogen dose
Answer: C) Balanced fertilization
Rationale: Proper nutrient balance, especially potassium, strengthens stems and reduces lodging.
🔵 36. What is the function of 'A-line' in sorghum hybrid seed production?
A) Restorer
B) Maintainer
C) Male sterile
D) Fertility restorer
Answer: C) Male sterile
Rationale: A-line is the male sterile line used as the female parent in hybrid seed production.
🔵 37. Sorghum crop is highly tolerant to which abiotic stress?
A) Waterlogging
B) Drought
C) Frost
D) Salinity
Answer: B) Drought
Rationale: Sorghum is well known for its ability to withstand prolonged dry conditions.
🔵 38. Sorghum roots are mainly:
A) Fibrous
B) Adventitious
C) Taproot
D) Prop roots
Answer: A) Fibrous
Rationale: Sorghum develops a fibrous root system that helps in moisture and nutrient absorption.
🔵 39. Which method is best for sowing sorghum?
A) Broadcasting
B) Line sowing
C) Transplanting
D) Dibbling
Answer: B) Line sowing
Rationale: Line sowing ensures uniform plant spacing and facilitates intercultural operations.
🔵 40. The ratooning ability of sorghum is generally:
A) Excellent
B) Good
C) Moderate
D) Poor
Answer: D) Poor
Rationale: Unlike sugarcane, sorghum does not respond well to ratooning due to low regeneration.
🔵 41. Which form of nitrogen is mostly absorbed by sorghum?
A) Urea
B) Ammonium
C) Nitrate
D) Nitrogen gas
Answer: C) Nitrate
Rationale: Like most cereals, sorghum primarily takes up nitrogen in nitrate form from soil.
🔵 42. The average water requirement of sorghum is:
A) 200–300 mm
B) 400–600 mm
C) 700–900 mm
D) Over 1000 mm
Answer: B) 400–600 mm
Rationale: Sorghum is a low-water-demanding crop, suitable for rainfed conditions.
🔵 43. Which stage in sorghum is most susceptible to shoot fly?
A) Emergence
B) Tillering
C) Booting
D) Grain filling
Answer: A) Emergence
Rationale: Shoot fly attacks young seedlings and lays eggs on emerging plants, causing dead hearts.
🔵 44. What is the seed treatment chemical for preventing downy mildew in sorghum?
A) Captan
B) Metalaxyl
C) Mancozeb
D) Thiram
Answer: B) Metalaxyl
Rationale: Metalaxyl is a systemic fungicide effective against oomycetes like downy mildew.
🔵 45. Which component of sorghum makes it a potential bioethanol crop?
A) High oil content
B) High cellulose
C) Sweet stalk juice
D) Tannin content
Answer: C) Sweet stalk juice
Rationale: Sweet sorghum varieties produce sugary juice suitable for ethanol production.
🔵 46. Which is a late-maturing sorghum variety?
A) CSH-14
B) CSV-15
C) CSV-23
D) CSV-27
Answer: D) CSV-27
Rationale: CSV-27 is known for its longer duration and high yield potential in certain zones.
🔵 47. Sorghum is native to:
A) South America
B) Australia
C) Africa
D) India
Answer: C) Africa
Rationale: Sorghum originated in Africa and later spread to other parts of the world.
🔵 48. Sorghum belongs to which tribe of the grass family?
A) Triticeae
B) Maydeae
C) Andropogoneae
D) Paniceae
Answer: C) Andropogoneae
Rationale: Sorghum is classified under the tribe Andropogoneae, which includes other C4 grasses.
🔵 49. What is the optimum plant spacing for sorghum under rainfed conditions?
A) 20 x 10 cm
B) 30 x 10 cm
C) 45 x 15 cm
D) 60 x 15 cm
Answer: C) 45 x 15 cm
Rationale: Wider spacing accommodates adequate plant growth and conserves soil moisture.
🔵 50. Which variety of sorghum is recommended for low rainfall zones?
A) CSV-20
B) CSV-23
C) CSV-15
D) CSV-27
Answer: B) CSV-23
Rationale: CSV-23 is a drought-tolerant variety recommended for rainfed and low rainfall areas.
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