Model Question Paper for M.Sc. (Agri.) Qualifying Examination GPB GKVK

UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, BANGALORE

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, GKVK, Bangalore – 560 065

M.Sc. (Agri.) Qualifying Examination – Model Paper
Duration: 3 Hours  Maximum Marks: 100

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I. Define (Any 10 out of 12)

(1 mark each)

1. Synaptonemal complex

2. Recombination

3. Differentiate between translocation and crossing over

4. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium

5. Define linkage

6. Multiple allelism

7. Transgressive segregants

8. Polyploidy

9. Cytoplasmic inheritance

10. Explain how it is used in crop improvement

11. Complementarity

12. Over-dominance hypothesis

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II. Answer (Any 10 out of 12)

(2 marks each)

1. Define dominance and over-dominance.

2. Differentiate between allelic correlation and co-relation.

3. Explain quantitative and qualitative traits.

4. Explain the principle of replication of DNA due to intercalation.

5. Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis.

6. Explain the principle of ANOVA and its significance.

7. Explain Hardy–Weinberg Law and the factors affecting it.

8. Mention the applications of vectors which can be used for cloning genes.

9. Write a note on mutation and mutagenesis.

10. There will be no faithful replication of DNA due to intercalation—justify.

11. Explain the procedure of bulk population breeding method.

12. Explain the rationale of pure line constitution in a population.

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III. Write Short Notes on the Following

(3 marks each)

1. Importance of heterosis in breeding.

2. Explain the exploitation of heterosis in crop breeding with examples.

3. Explain the various stages of meiosis (with diagram if necessary).

4. What should be the crossover frequency to realize a recombination between adjacent loci that are not completely linked?

5. Discuss the genic balance theory of sex determination considering suitable examples.

6. Explain the inheritance of qualitative and quantitative traits based on graphical analysis of data from the progeny obtained by diallel mating design.

8. Explain additive and dominance gene effects with examples.

9. Explain different types of gene interactions and epistasis in plants.

10. Explain the inheritance of quantitative traits (P₁, P₂, F₁, F₂, B₁, B₂) assuming an additive–dominance model of gene action.

11. What are the different types of gene actions? Explain their significance in plant breeding.

12. Explain the stability analysis of data from the progeny using the Eberhart and Russell (1966) model.

13. What are the parameters of Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS)? Write its principles and advantages.

14. Explain different objects used for irradiation along with their merits and demerits.

15. What are the important steps involved in hybridization in cross-pollinated crops? How are newly developed inbreds evaluated for high combining ability and yield?

16. How are hybrids maintained and utilized in hybrid seed production of self- and cross-pollinated crops?

17. Write short notes on cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and its significance in hybrid seed production.

18. How does pre-breeding supplement the existing germplasm? What are the methods of pre-breeding and its implications in crop improvement?

19. Explain the role of polyploids in crop improvement, with examples.

20. Write short notes on apomixis and its implications in crop breeding.

21. Describe colchicine-induced polyploids in crop improvement.

22. Explain the cytogenetic basis of sterility and fertility restoration in crop hybrids.