30/08/2025
Sample Question Paper for ICAR NET (Horticulture)
Total Questions: 20 (for practice, full paper mein 150 MCQs hote hain)
Marks: Each question carries 1 mark
Time: 30 minutes (for this sample)
Section A: General Horticulture
Which of the following is a method of asexual propagation?
a) Seed sowing
b) Grafting
c) Pollination
d) Hybridization
Answer: b) Grafting
The process of vernalization is primarily associated with:
a) Fruit ripening
b) Flower induction in biennials
c) Seed germination
d) Leaf senescence
Answer: b) Flower induction in biennials
Which gas is primarily responsible for fruit ripening?
a) Carbon dioxide
b) Ethylene
c) Nitrogen
d) Oxygen
Answer: b) Ethylene
The ideal pH range for most horticultural crops is:
a) 4.0–5.0
b) 5.5–6.5
c) 7.0–8.0
d) 8.5–9.5
Answer: b) 5.5–6.5
Section B: Fruit and Vegetable Production
Which of the following is a climacteric fruit?
a) Grape
b) Mango
c) Pineapple
d) Strawberry
Answer: b) Mango
The spacing recommended for commercial banana cultivation is:
a) 1.5 m x 1.5 m
b) 2.5 m x 2.5 m
c) 3.0 m x 3.0 m
d) 4.0 m x 4.0 m
Answer: b) 2.5 m x 2.5 m
Which disease is caused by Phytophthora infestans in potatoes?
a) Early blight
b) Late blight
c) Black scurf
d) Powdery mildew
Answer: b) Late blight
The botanical name of cauliflower is:
a) Brassica oleracea var. capitata
b) Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
c) Brassica rapa
d) Brassica juncea
Answer: b) Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Section C: Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture
Which of the following is a day-neutral flowering plant?
a) Poinsettia
b) Chrysanthemum
c) Rose
d) Kalanchoe
Answer: c) Rose
The technique of ‘pinching’ in floriculture is used to:
a) Increase flower size
b) Promote branching
c) Reduce plant height
d) Enhance root growth
Answer: b) Promote branching
Section D: Post-Harvest Technology
Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage primarily manipulates:
a) Temperature and humidity
b) Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
c) Light intensity
d) Soil moisture
Answer: b) Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
The optimum storage temperature for apples is:
a) 0–2°C
b) 5–7°C
c) 10–12°C
d) 15–18°C
Answer: a) 0–2°C
Section E: Plant Protection and Soil Science
The causal organism of powdery mildew in grapes is:
a) Plasmopara viticola
b) Erysiphe necator
c) Botrytis cinerea
d) Alternaria solani
Answer: b) Erysiphe necator
Which nutrient deficiency causes chlorosis in older leaves first?
a) Nitrogen
b) Iron
c) Zinc
d) Manganese
Answer: a) Nitrogen
The most common biofertilizer used in horticulture is:
a) Rhizobium
b) Azospirillum
c) Mycorrhiza
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Section F: Miscellaneous
Which of the following is a rootstock commonly used for mango grafting?
a) Dashehari
b) Totapuri
c) Polyembryonic seedling
d) Langra
Answer: c) Polyembryonic seedling
The term ‘espalier’ refers to:
a) A type of pruning
b) A training system for fruit trees
c) A method of irrigation
d) A type of fertilizer
Answer: b) A training system for fruit trees
Which of the following is a non-traditional horticultural crop?
a) Tomato
b) Dragon fruit
c) Potato
d) Onion
Answer: b) Dragon fruit
The ideal relative humidity for greenhouse cultivation is:
a) 20–30%
b) 50–70%
c) 80–90%
d) 90–100%
Answer: b) 50–70%
Which of the following is a systemic fungicide?
a) Mancozeb
b) Carbendazim
c) Copper oxychloride
d) Sulphur dust
Answer: b) Carbendazim
