Chapter 15 – Improvement in Food Resources – MCQs
Chapter 15 – Improvement in Food Resources – MCQs (Part 1: Q1–Q25)
Q1. Which of the following is not a crop improvement method?
a) Hybridisation
b) Mutation breeding
c) Cloning ✅
d) Selection
Answer: c) Cloning
Explanation: Cloning is not used for crop improvement; instead, hybridisation, selection, and mutation breeding are commonly used.
Q2. The main aim of crop improvement is:
a) To increase the beauty of plants
b) To increase crop yield ✅
c) To reduce soil fertility
d) To change colour of flowers
Answer: b) To increase crop yield
Explanation: The primary goal of crop improvement is to obtain better and higher yield varieties.
Q3. Which type of crop requires nitrogenous fertilizers the most?
a) Legumes
b) Cereals ✅
c) Pulses
d) Oilseeds
Answer: b) Cereals
Explanation: Cereals like wheat, rice, and maize require more nitrogenous fertilizers for better growth.
Q4. Which of the following is a biofertilizer?
a) NPK fertilizer
b) Rhizobium ✅
c) Urea
d) Ammonium sulphate
Answer: b) Rhizobium
Explanation: Rhizobium is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that acts as a biofertilizer.
Q5. Poultry farming is mainly carried out for:
a) Eggs and meat ✅
b) Wool and milk
c) Honey
d) Silk
Answer: a) Eggs and meat
Explanation: Poultry farming provides eggs and chicken meat as major food resources.
Q6. Which fish is called a surface feeder?
a) Rohu ✅
b) Catla
c) Mrigal
d) Common carp
Answer: a) Rohu
Explanation: Rohu is a surface feeder, feeding mainly on algae and aquatic plants.
Q7. Cross-breeding is done to:
a) Improve soil fertility
b) Produce high-yielding varieties ✅
c) Produce hybrids of flowers only
d) Increase pesticides
Answer: b) Produce high-yielding varieties
Explanation: Cross-breeding between different varieties combines desirable traits to improve crops.
Q8. Which is a marine fish?
a) Rohu
b) Hilsa ✅
c) Catla
d) Mrigal
Answer: b) Hilsa
Explanation: Hilsa is a marine fish, found in sea water but migrates to rivers for breeding.
Q9. Honey bees are reared in:
a) Sericulture
b) Apiculture ✅
c) Horticulture
d) Floriculture
Answer: b) Apiculture
Explanation: Apiculture is the scientific method of rearing honey bees for honey and wax.
Q10. Which is an example of oilseed crop?
a) Rice
b) Mustard ✅
c) Wheat
d) Barley
Answer: b) Mustard
Explanation: Mustard seeds are used for oil production.
Q11. Azolla is used as:
a) Biofertilizer ✅
b) Insecticide
c) Weed
d) Fungicide
Answer: a) Biofertilizer
Explanation: Azolla is a water fern that hosts nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, enriching soil.
Q12. Which is the most common nutrient deficiency in Indian soils?
a) Nitrogen ✅
b) Phosphorus
c) Potassium
d) Calcium
Answer: a) Nitrogen
Explanation: Nitrogen is commonly deficient in Indian soils and must be supplemented.
Q13. Sericulture is related to:
a) Silk production ✅
b) Honey production
c) Milk production
d) Poultry
Answer: a) Silk production
Explanation: Sericulture is the rearing of silkworms for silk.
Q14. Which crop improves soil fertility by nitrogen fixation?
a) Maize
b) Wheat
c) Gram ✅
d) Rice
Answer: c) Gram
Explanation: Gram is a leguminous crop that fixes nitrogen with the help of Rhizobium.
Q15. Which of the following is not a rabi crop?
a) Wheat
b) Barley
c) Rice ✅
d) Gram
Answer: c) Rice
Explanation: Rice is a kharif crop, sown in rainy season.
Q16. Which of the following is a kharif crop?
a) Wheat
b) Gram
c) Paddy ✅
d) Mustard
Answer: c) Paddy
Explanation: Paddy (rice) is grown in the rainy season, so it is a kharif crop.
Q17. Which method is used for preserving fish?
a) Smoking ✅
b) Freezing
c) Drying
d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these
Explanation: Fish can be preserved by smoking, freezing, and drying methods.
Q18. Which disease affects poultry?
a) Ranikhet disease ✅
b) Foot and mouth disease
c) Red rot
d) Rust of wheat
Answer: a) Ranikhet disease
Explanation: Ranikhet is a viral disease of poultry.
Q19. Green Revolution in India was mainly due to:
a) Improved irrigation
b) High-yielding varieties ✅
c) Use of pesticides
d) Biofertilizers
Answer: b) High-yielding varieties
Explanation: Green Revolution introduced high-yielding wheat and rice varieties, increasing production.
Q20. Which nutrient is necessary for plant root development?
a) Nitrogen
b) Phosphorus ✅
c) Potassium
d) Magnesium
Answer: b) Phosphorus
Explanation: Phosphorus promotes root growth and energy transfer.
Q21. Which nutrient promotes disease resistance in plants?
a) Nitrogen
b) Potassium ✅
c) Calcium
d) Iron
Answer: b) Potassium
Explanation: Potassium increases disease resistance and helps in photosynthesis.
Q22. Which breed of cow is high milk-yielding?
a) Jersey ✅
b) Red Sindhi
c) Sahiwal
d) Gir
Answer: a) Jersey
Explanation: Jersey is an exotic cow breed giving high milk yield.
Q23. Composite fish culture involves:
a) Single species of fish
b) Several species together ✅
c) Only marine fish
d) Only freshwater fish
Answer: b) Several species together
Explanation: Composite fish culture uses different species that occupy different food zones.
Q24. Which is a major source of animal protein in human diet?
a) Milk
b) Meat
c) Fish ✅
d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these
Explanation: Milk, meat, and fish are all major sources of protein in diet.
Q25. Hybridisation in crops is carried out to:
a) Increase production ✅
b) Reduce soil fertility
c) Remove fertilizers
d) Destroy weeds
Answer: a) Increase production
Explanation: Hybridisation combines desirable traits of two plants to increase yield and quality.
Improvement in Food Resources – MCQs (Part 2: Q26–Q50)
Q26. Which fish is a bottom feeder?
a) Catla
b) Rohu
c) Mrigal ✅
d) Hilsa
Answer: c) Mrigal
Explanation: Mrigal feeds at the bottom of water bodies and is used in composite fish culture.
Q27. Which of the following is a freshwater fish?
a) Rohu ✅
b) Hilsa
c) Sardine
d) Mackerel
Answer: a) Rohu
Explanation: Rohu is a freshwater fish commonly cultured in ponds and rivers.
Q28. Inland fisheries include:
a) Fishing in oceans
b) Fishing in ponds, lakes, rivers ✅
c) Fishing in seas
d) None of these
Answer: b) Fishing in ponds, lakes, rivers
Explanation: Inland fisheries are carried out in fresh water sources like rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Q29. Which is a parasite of honeybee?
a) Varroa mite ✅
b) Red rot
c) Aphid
d) White rust
Answer: a) Varroa mite
Explanation: Varroa mite is a parasite that weakens honeybee colonies.
Q30. Which factor is not important in animal husbandry?
a) Food requirements
b) Shelter requirements
c) Growth rate
d) Colour of animal ✅
Answer: d) Colour of animal
Explanation: Colour is not important; food, shelter, and growth rate matter in animal husbandry.
Q31. Which fodder crop is rich in protein?
a) Barley
b) Berseem ✅
c) Wheat
d) Rice
Answer: b) Berseem
Explanation: Berseem is a protein-rich fodder crop for cattle.
Q32. White revolution is related to:
a) Egg production
b) Milk production ✅
c) Meat production
d) Silk production
Answer: b) Milk production
Explanation: White revolution refers to rapid increase in milk production in India.
Q33. Which crop is grown for fodder?
a) Bajra ✅
b) Rice
c) Wheat
d) Mustard
Answer: a) Bajra
Explanation: Bajra and maize are commonly grown as fodder crops for animals.
Q34. Which one is an exotic breed of cow?
a) Sahiwal
b) Jersey ✅
c) Red Sindhi
d) Gir
Answer: b) Jersey
Explanation: Jersey is an exotic breed imported for higher milk yield.
Q35. Which disease is common in cattle?
a) Anthrax ✅
b) Ranikhet
c) Citrus canker
d) Rust of wheat
Answer: a) Anthrax
Explanation: Anthrax is a bacterial disease affecting cattle.
Q36. Which disease of poultry is caused by virus?
a) Ranikhet ✅
b) Anthrax
c) Foot rot
d) Ringworm
Answer: a) Ranikhet
Explanation: Ranikhet is a viral disease in poultry leading to respiratory problems.
Q37. Which honeybee species is most commonly reared in India?
a) Apis dorsata
b) Apis indica ✅
c) Apis mellifera
d) Apis florae
Answer: b) Apis indica
Explanation: Apis indica is the Indian bee species reared for honey production.
Q38. Which type of fish culture involves marine fishes?
a) Inland fishery
b) Mariculture ✅
c) Composite fish culture
d) Aquaculture
Answer: b) Mariculture
Explanation: Mariculture is the rearing and culture of marine fishes in sea water.
Q39. Which crop is known as a fodder crop?
a) Berseem ✅
b) Maize
c) Wheat
d) Rice
Answer: a) Berseem
Explanation: Berseem is specifically grown as cattle fodder.
Q40. Which component of food is provided mainly by oilseed crops?
a) Protein
b) Carbohydrate
c) Fat ✅
d) Vitamin
Answer: c) Fat
Explanation: Oilseeds like mustard and groundnut are rich in fats.
Q41. Which one is not a marine fish?
a) Hilsa
b) Sardine
c) Mackerel
d) Rohu ✅
Answer: d) Rohu
Explanation: Rohu is a freshwater fish, while others are marine fishes.
Q42. The scientific term for mixed farming of fish, poultry, cattle, etc. is:
a) Animal husbandry
b) Integrated farming ✅
c) Mariculture
d) Sericulture
Answer: b) Integrated farming
Explanation: Integrated farming combines crop production with livestock, fishery, and poultry.
Q43. Which crop provides carbohydrate-rich food?
a) Wheat ✅
b) Mustard
c) Gram
d) Soybean
Answer: a) Wheat
Explanation: Wheat is rich in carbohydrates and is a staple food crop.
Q44. Which crop is known as a pulse crop?
a) Wheat
b) Rice
c) Gram ✅
d) Mustard
Answer: c) Gram
Explanation: Gram is a leguminous crop and an important pulse.
Q45. Which nutrient deficiency causes weak plants with poor growth?
a) Nitrogen ✅
b) Calcium
c) Potassium
d) Sulphur
Answer: a) Nitrogen
Explanation: Nitrogen deficiency stunts growth and leads to pale leaves.
Q46. Blue revolution is related to:
a) Milk production
b) Fish production ✅
c) Egg production
d) Silk production
Answer: b) Fish production
Explanation: Blue revolution refers to increased fish production.
Q47. Which is a source of Vitamin A in diet?
a) Carrot ✅
b) Potato
c) Rice
d) Maize
Answer: a) Carrot
Explanation: Carrots are rich in Vitamin A (beta-carotene).
Q48. Which is a natural pest control method?
a) Use of insecticides
b) Crop rotation ✅
c) Spraying pesticides
d) Irrigation
Answer: b) Crop rotation
Explanation: Crop rotation reduces pest infestation naturally.
Q49. Which practice increases soil fertility naturally?
a) Use of pesticides
b) Organic manure ✅
c) Excess irrigation
d) Burning stubble
Answer: b) Organic manure
Explanation: Organic manure improves soil structure and fertility.
Q50. Which bee species gives highest honey yield?
a) Apis dorsata
b) Apis mellifera ✅
c) Apis indica
d) Apis florae
Answer: b) Apis mellifera
Explanation: Apis mellifera (European bee) yields more honey than other species.
Improvement in Food Resources – MCQs (Part 3: Q51–Q75)
Q51. The most common method of irrigation in India is:
a) Sprinkler system
b) Drip irrigation
c) Canal irrigation ✅
d) Tube wells
Answer: c) Canal irrigation
Explanation: Canal irrigation is widely used in India, especially in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Q52. The process of supplying water to crops at regular intervals is called:
a) Fertilisation
b) Irrigation ✅
c) Manuring
d) Sowing
Answer: b) Irrigation
Explanation: Irrigation ensures a continuous supply of water for proper crop growth.
Q53. Drip irrigation is best suited for:
a) Paddy
b) Wheat
c) Fruit crops ✅
d) Barley
Answer: c) Fruit crops
Explanation: Drip irrigation provides water directly to roots, useful for fruit and horticulture crops.
Q54. Which crop is most affected by waterlogging?
a) Paddy
b) Wheat ✅
c) Sugarcane
d) Jute
Answer: b) Wheat
Explanation: Wheat requires less water and is adversely affected by waterlogging.
Q55. Which is not a type of manure?
a) Farmyard manure
b) Compost
c) Vermicompost
d) Urea ✅
Answer: d) Urea
Explanation: Urea is a chemical fertilizer, not manure.
Q56. Which of the following increases soil fertility naturally?
a) Fertilizers
b) Manures ✅
c) Pesticides
d) Insecticides
Answer: b) Manures
Explanation: Manures improve soil texture and increase its water-holding capacity.
Q57. Excessive use of fertilizers makes soil:
a) Fertile
b) Acidic ✅
c) Basic
d) Neutral
Answer: b) Acidic
Explanation: Continuous use of fertilizers makes soil acidic and less productive.
Q58. Which of the following is a micronutrient for plants?
a) Nitrogen
b) Potassium
c) Zinc ✅
d) Phosphorus
Answer: c) Zinc
Explanation: Zinc is required in very small amounts but is essential for plant growth.
Q59. Which crop is associated with Green Revolution in India?
a) Maize
b) Wheat ✅
c) Rice
d) Mustard
Answer: b) Wheat
Explanation: Green Revolution was mainly due to high-yielding wheat varieties in India.
Q60. Which of the following is a biotic factor affecting crop production?
a) Temperature
b) Rainfall
c) Pests ✅
d) Soil fertility
Answer: c) Pests
Explanation: Pests and diseases are living organisms (biotic) that damage crops.
Q61. Which of the following is an abiotic factor affecting crops?
a) Insects
b) Weeds
c) Temperature ✅
d) Bacteria
Answer: c) Temperature
Explanation: Abiotic factors are non-living, like temperature, light, and water.
Q62. Which chemical is used as a herbicide?
a) Urea
b) 2,4-D ✅
c) Ammonium sulphate
d) Potassium nitrate
Answer: b) 2,4-D
Explanation: 2,4-D is a selective herbicide that kills broad-leaved weeds.
Q63. Which one is not a method of weed control?
a) Mechanical removal
b) Crop rotation
c) Herbicide application
d) Over-irrigation ✅
Answer: d) Over-irrigation
Explanation: Over-irrigation does not control weeds, but encourages them.
Q64. Which one is a chemical fertilizer?
a) Vermicompost
b) Superphosphate ✅
c) Farmyard manure
d) Compost
Answer: b) Superphosphate
Explanation: Superphosphate is a chemical fertilizer supplying phosphorus.
Q65. Vermicomposting uses:
a) Fungi
b) Bacteria
c) Earthworms ✅
d) Algae
Answer: c) Earthworms
Explanation: Earthworms decompose organic matter into nutrient-rich manure.
Q66. Which crop requires the maximum irrigation?
a) Rice ✅
b) Wheat
c) Maize
d) Barley
Answer: a) Rice
Explanation: Rice is a water-intensive crop grown in flooded fields.
Q67. Which of the following is not a cash crop?
a) Sugarcane
b) Cotton
c) Jute
d) Wheat ✅
Answer: d) Wheat
Explanation: Wheat is a food crop, while the others are cash crops.
Q68. Which one is an example of a rabi crop?
a) Maize
b) Rice
c) Wheat ✅
d) Jute
Answer: c) Wheat
Explanation: Wheat is sown in winter (rabi season) and harvested in summer.
Q69. Which one is an example of a kharif crop?
a) Wheat
b) Rice ✅
c) Mustard
d) Gram
Answer: b) Rice
Explanation: Rice is sown during the rainy season (kharif).
Q70. Which one is a perennial crop?
a) Sugarcane ✅
b) Rice
c) Wheat
d) Barley
Answer: a) Sugarcane
Explanation: Sugarcane continues to grow and yield for several seasons.
Q71. Which vitamin is obtained from milk?
a) Vitamin A
b) Vitamin B
c) Vitamin D ✅
d) Vitamin K
Answer: c) Vitamin D
Explanation: Milk is a good source of calcium and Vitamin D.
Q72. Which animal is used for draught purposes?
a) Cow
b) Buffalo ✅
c) Hen
d) Sheep
Answer: b) Buffalo
Explanation: Buffaloes are used as draught animals in agriculture.
Q73. Which livestock provides both meat and wool?
a) Cow
b) Sheep ✅
c) Goat
d) Pig
Answer: b) Sheep
Explanation: Sheep provide wool as well as meat (mutton).
Q74. Which is not a type of aquaculture?
a) Fish farming
b) Shrimp farming
c) Apiculture ✅
d) Oyster farming
Answer: c) Apiculture
Explanation: Apiculture is beekeeping, not aquaculture.
Q75. Which crop is a major source of vegetable oil?
a) Mustard ✅
b) Rice
c) Wheat
d) Maize
Answer: a) Mustard
Explanation: Mustard seeds are widely used for oil extraction.
Improvement in Food Resources – MCQs (Part 4: Q76–Q100)
Q76. Which crop is used for making sugar in India?
a) Rice
b) Wheat
c) Sugarcane ✅
d) Maize
Answer: c) Sugarcane
Explanation: Sugarcane is the major crop used for sugar production in India.
Q77. Which one is a leguminous crop?
a) Wheat
b) Rice
c) Gram ✅
d) Maize
Answer: c) Gram
Explanation: Gram is a leguminous crop that improves soil fertility by nitrogen fixation.
Q78. Which nutrient deficiency causes chlorosis (yellowing of leaves)?
a) Nitrogen ✅
b) Phosphorus
c) Calcium
d) Potassium
Answer: a) Nitrogen
Explanation: Lack of nitrogen reduces chlorophyll formation, leading to yellow leaves.
Q79. The process of growing two or more crops in the same field is called:
a) Monocropping
b) Mixed cropping ✅
c) Crop rotation
d) Intensive farming
Answer: b) Mixed cropping
Explanation: Mixed cropping reduces the risk of crop failure and ensures better yield.
Q80. Which cropping practice helps in preventing soil depletion?
a) Monocropping
b) Crop rotation ✅
c) Excess irrigation
d) Overuse of fertilizers
Answer: b) Crop rotation
Explanation: Crop rotation maintains soil fertility by alternating crops like cereals and legumes.
Q81. Which livestock provides milk as well as draught power?
a) Goat
b) Buffalo ✅
c) Hen
d) Sheep
Answer: b) Buffalo
Explanation: Buffaloes provide milk and are also used as draught animals.
Q82. Which is a fungal disease of wheat?
a) Rust ✅
b) Citrus canker
c) Blast
d) Red rot
Answer: a) Rust
Explanation: Rust is a fungal disease that reduces wheat yield.
Q83. Which disease of sugarcane is caused by fungus?
a) Red rot ✅
b) Rust
c) Smut
d) Wilt
Answer: a) Red rot
Explanation: Red rot is a fungal disease of sugarcane, leading to rotting of canes.
Q84. Which one is not a pest of crops?
a) Insects
b) Rodents
c) Fungi
d) Earthworms ✅
Answer: d) Earthworms
Explanation: Earthworms improve soil fertility; they are not pests.
Q85. The practice of beekeeping is called:
a) Apiculture ✅
b) Sericulture
c) Pisciculture
d) Horticulture
Answer: a) Apiculture
Explanation: Apiculture is the scientific rearing of honey bees.
Q86. The practice of rearing silk worms is called:
a) Apiculture
b) Sericulture ✅
c) Horticulture
d) Floriculture
Answer: b) Sericulture
Explanation: Sericulture is the production of silk through rearing silkworms.
Q87. Which honeybee species is Italian bee?
a) Apis dorsata
b) Apis mellifera
c) Apis indica
d) Apis cerana ✅
Answer: d) Apis cerana (Italian bee)
Explanation: Italian bee is Apis cerana, known for high honey production and disease resistance.
Q88. Which fish is a column feeder?
a) Rohu
b) Catla ✅
c) Mrigal
d) Hilsa
Answer: b) Catla
Explanation: Catla is a column feeder that feeds in the middle layers of water.
Q89. Which practice helps in maintaining soil fertility?
a) Excess use of pesticides
b) Burning stubble
c) Green manure ✅
d) Over-irrigation
Answer: c) Green manure
Explanation: Green manure enriches the soil with organic matter and nutrients.
Q90. Which mineral deficiency in cattle causes weak bones?
a) Calcium ✅
b) Phosphorus
c) Iron
d) Iodine
Answer: a) Calcium
Explanation: Calcium deficiency leads to weak bones and poor growth in cattle.
Q91. Which fish is an example of marine fish?
a) Rohu
b) Catla
c) Sardine ✅
d) Mrigal
Answer: c) Sardine
Explanation: Sardine is a marine fish found in oceans.
Q92. Poultry birds are affected by:
a) Rust
b) Ranikhet disease ✅
c) Red rot
d) Citrus canker
Answer: b) Ranikhet disease
Explanation: Ranikhet is a viral disease in poultry causing respiratory issues.
Q93. Which crop is rich in proteins?
a) Wheat
b) Rice
c) Pulses ✅
d) Sugarcane
Answer: c) Pulses
Explanation: Pulses are rich sources of proteins and essential amino acids.
Q94. Which practice increases crop yield without harming the soil?
a) Organic farming ✅
b) Excess fertilizers
c) Monoculture
d) Over-irrigation
Answer: a) Organic farming
Explanation: Organic farming avoids harmful chemicals and maintains soil fertility.
Q95. Which type of fish culture uses both surface and bottom feeders together?
a) Mariculture
b) Composite fish culture ✅
c) Inland fishery
d) Pisciculture
Answer: b) Composite fish culture
Explanation: Composite fish culture involves rearing surface, column, and bottom feeders together.
Q96. Which animal provides both milk and meat?
a) Cow
b) Goat ✅
c) Buffalo
d) Sheep
Answer: b) Goat
Explanation: Goats provide milk and are also reared for meat.
Q97. Which nutrient deficiency causes goitre in cattle?
a) Calcium
b) Phosphorus
c) Iodine ✅
d) Iron
Answer: c) Iodine
Explanation: Iodine deficiency causes enlargement of thyroid gland (goitre).
Q98. Which practice reduces pest attack in crops?
a) Mixed cropping ✅
b) Monocropping
c) Overuse of fertilizers
d) Flood irrigation
Answer: a) Mixed cropping
Explanation: Growing two or more crops together reduces chances of pest attacks.
Q99. Which crop is grown in saline soils?
a) Rice ✅
b) Wheat
c) Maize
d) Barley
Answer: a) Rice
Explanation: Rice is tolerant to saline and waterlogged soils.
Q100. Which sector is directly related to improvement in food resources?
a) Industry
b) Agriculture ✅
c) Mining
d) Transport
Answer: b) Agriculture
Explanation: Agriculture and allied practices are directly related to food resource improvement.
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❓ FAQ Section
Q1. Why are Improvement in Food Resources MCQs important for Class 9 students?
They cover essential concepts of crop production, irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, and poultry—important for board exams.
Q2. How many MCQs should I practice from this chapter?
Practicing around 80–100 MCQs with answers ensures complete preparation and strengthens exam readiness.
Q3. What kind of questions are usually asked in exams from this chapter?
Questions are generally based on crop production, fertilizers, irrigation methods, animal husbandry, and fish/poultry farming.
Q4. Are these MCQs helpful for exams beyond CBSE boards?
Yes, they are useful for NTSE, Olympiads, and other school-level science competitions.
Q5. Do these MCQs cover both plants and animals related food resources?
Yes, they include crop improvement, fertilizers, irrigation, and livestock-based practices like poultry, dairy, and fisheries.
