ARS Mains Examination Previous Year Question Paper GPB - 2005

1.
(a) Name different intra and inter population improvement methods. Describe full sib reciprocal recurrent selection in brief with the help of diagram.
(b) Describe backcross method of breeding assuming that the character under transfer is governed by single recessive gene.

2.
(a) Discuss structural chromosomal aberrations
(b) Outline the procedure of seed production of double cross hybrid maize utilizing CMS system

3.
(a) Comment on the statement, “plant breeding will continue to play a crucial role in crop improvement in 21st century”.
(b) Explain the fundamental principles on which single seed descent method is based. What are its merits and demerits?

4.
(a) Enlist the various systems of mating. Explain in brief the genetic consequences of these systems.
(b) Identify the following by their specific contributions:
 (1) G.H. Shull (1909)
 (2) D.F. Jones (1918)
 (3) R.L. Davis (1927)
 (4) G.F. Sprague and E.L. Tatum (1942)
 (5) R.A. Fisher (1921)

5.
(a) Discuss the genetic and molecular basis of heterosis
(b) Explain in brief the following:
 (1) Totipotency
 (2) Isogenic lines
 (3) Alkylating agents
 (4) Land varieties
 (5) Somatic embryogenesis

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PREVIOUS ARS QUESTIONS

6. The yield of a synthetic/ composite variety should not decline provided the population is large enough and mating is at random/ comment on the statement and discuss the principle behind it.

OR

Differentiate between the followings
(a) Non-preference and antibiosis
(b) Crossing over and translocation
(c) Disruptive and directional selection
(d) Synthetic and composite varieties
(e) Gene pyramiding and gene deployment

7.
(a) Define the term ‘stability’. What is its mechanism?
(b) Explain briefly the various measures of stability of genotype used in plant breeding
(c) Give the molecular approach to breeding for wider adaptability.

OR
(a) Discuss the genetic basis of vertical and horizontal resistance
(b) Define the following

1. Vertifolia effect

2. Differential hosts

3. Multilines

4. Gene for gene relationships

8.
(a) What is marker assisted selection? Discuss different kinds of molecular markers with their advantages and disadvantages.
(b) What is seed certification? Why is it essential to have seed certification programme?

OR
(a) What are the centers of origin? How are primary, secondary and tertiary centers of origin determined?
(b) List the various centers of origin of crop plants giving the examples for each centers, as given by Vavilov

9.
(a) What is recombinant DNA molecule? How is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) such a powerful tool for use in DNA analysis.
(b) What is the significance of recombinant DNA and gene cloning technologies to plant breeders?
(c) How is the restriction endo-nucleases used to construct r-DNA molecules in vitro? Explain with the help of diagram only.

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GENETICS MADE EASY
Page: 168

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OR
Write short notes on the following:
(1) Plant breeder’s right
(2) Patent
(3) Geographical indicators
(4) Material transfer agreement for germplasm

10. (a) Describe the situations under which the following designs are used:
(1) Completely randomized design
(2) Randomized complete block design
(3) Augmented design
(4) Lattice design

(b) Describe the portioning of phenotypic variance into its components.

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OR
What is abiotic stress tolerance in crops? What is its significance in agriculture? Discuss the development of abiotic stress tolerant genotypes through an integrated participatory molecular breeding approach.