What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?
1. Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur.
2. An increase in the acidity of soil can take place.
3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground water can occur.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The question asks about the potential impacts of excessive or inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture. We need to evaluate each given statement based on the known environmental effects of such practices.
Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (like Rhizobium) convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by plants. When excessive nitrogenous fertilizers are applied, the soil already has an abundance of readily available nitrogen. This reduces the need for plants to rely on nitrogen fixation, thereby inhibiting the activity and proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
Many nitrogenous fertilizers, especially ammonium-based ones (e.g., ammonium sulfate, urea), undergo nitrification in the soil. Nitrification is the biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrite followed by the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate. This process releases hydrogen ions (\(H^+\)), which increases soil acidity (lowers pH). For example:
\[ \text{NH}_4^+ + 2\text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{NO}_3^- + 2\text{H}^+ + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]Thus, excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers can lead to soil acidification. This statement is correct.
Nitrate (\(\text{NO}_3^-\)) is highly soluble in water and is negatively charged, so it is not readily adsorbed by negatively charged soil particles. When excessive nitrogenous fertilizers are applied, and plants do not absorb all the available nitrate, it can easily be washed down through the soil profile by rain or irrigation water. This process, known as leaching, carries nitrate into groundwater, leading to groundwater contamination. This statement is correct.
Based on the evaluation, statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Correct Option: C) 2 and 3 only
With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.
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The question asks to identify the correct statements regarding the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We need to evaluate each statement individually based on factual knowledge about these organizations and conventions.
B) 2 and 3 only
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect because IUCN is not an organ of the United Nations.
The question asks about the authority responsible for approving the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane in India. This is a factual question related to agricultural policy and government bodies.
Correct Option: A) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is responsible for approving the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane. While the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommends the FRP, the final decision and approval rest with the CCEA.
The question asks for the primary reason behind the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current. We need to understand the dynamics of ocean currents, particularly in the equatorial regions, to identify the correct explanation.
B) Convergence of the two equatorial currents
The convergence and piling up of water by the North and South Equatorial Currents against the western boundaries of the ocean basins create a pressure gradient. This pressure gradient forces the water to flow eastward, forming the equatorial counter-current. While not a direct convergence of the two currents in the sense of them colliding, it's the accumulation of water driven by these currents that causes the eastward flow.
Consider the following pairs:
| Pace of pilgrimage | Location |
| 1) Srisailam | Nallamala Hills |
| 2) Omkareshwar | Satmala Hills |
| 3 Pushkar | Mahadeo Hills |
Which of the above is/are correctly matched?
The question asks to identify the correctly matched pairs of pilgrimage sites and their associated hill ranges. We need to evaluate each pair based on geographical knowledge.
Based on the evaluation, only Pair 1 is correctly matched.
Correct Option: A) 1 only
With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the 'Sedition Committee'.
2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.
3. Demonstrations against the arrival of the Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.
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The question asks us to identify the correct statements regarding the Rowlatt Satyagraha. We need to evaluate each statement based on historical facts related to this movement.
B) 1 and 2 only
The question asks to identify the countries frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of the Ebola virus. This requires knowledge of major Ebola outbreaks and their geographical locations.
B) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
The 2014-2016 West African Ebola epidemic was the largest and most complex outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976. It caused widespread illness and death, primarily affecting Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. These countries were consistently in the news during that period due to the severe health crisis they faced.
With reference to 'fly ash' produced by the power plants using coal as fuel, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Fly ash can be used in the production of bricks for building construction.
2. Fly ash can be used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement contents of concrete.
3. Fly ash is made up of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide only, and does not contain any toxic elements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The question asks about the correct statements regarding fly ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. We need to evaluate each statement based on the known properties and applications of fly ash.
A) 1 and 2
Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect. Therefore, option A, which includes statements 1 and 2, is the correct answer.
With reference to 'dugong', a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the, entire coast of India.
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife(Protection) Act, 1972.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The question asks to identify the correct statements about 'dugong', a marine mammal found in India. We need to evaluate each statement individually based on known facts about dugongs.
C) 1 and 3
Based on the analysis, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Therefore, option C, which includes statements 1 and 3, is the correct answer.
Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India?
1. Dadabhai Naoroji
2. G. Subramania Iyer
3. R. C. Dutt
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The question asks to identify the economic critics of colonialism in India from the given list of personalities. This requires knowledge of prominent figures in Indian history who analyzed and critiqued the economic impact of British rule.
All three individuals listed – Dadabhai Naoroji, G. Subramania Iyer, and R. C. Dutt – were significant figures who critically analyzed and exposed the economic exploitation inherent in British colonial rule in India.
Correct Option: D) 1, 2 and 3