Explanation

Chromosomes are made up of:

• Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)
• Proteins (histones and non-histone proteins)

A chromosome is made up of proteins and DNA organized into genes.

Each cell normally contains 23 pairs of chromosomes.

Explanation

There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Established by the United Nations in 2015.

Additional information:

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

Last verified on 16-01-2026

Explanation

• CIMMYT stands for International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
• It is a global agricultural research organization.

Additional information:

• Headquarters: El Batán, Mexico
• Founded: 1966

Last verified on 25-01-2026

Explanation

• Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) is a serious disease affecting rice crops.
• It is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.

Additional information:

• Rice Blast – Magnaporthe oryzae
• Sheath Blight – Rhizoctonia solani
• Brown Spot – Cochliobolus miyabeanus
• Tungro Virus – viral disease

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• Herbicides are chemicals used to control unwanted plants (weeds).
• A selective herbicide targets specific parts of a plant, such as roots, without harming other parts or neighboring plants.

Additional information:

• Example of selective herbicide: 2,4-D, which kills broadleaf weeds but not grasses.
• Selective herbicides are widely used in agriculture to protect crops.

Last verified on 23-01-2026

Explanation

Treatment Name: Hot Water Treatment (HWT)

Temperature Used: ~48°C to 55°C

Treatment Time: 5–10 minutes

Main Disease Prevented: Anthracnose (fungal disease)

Exports Affected Crops: Mango, banana, papaya, citrus

Additional information:

• Anthracnose is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Last verified on 23-01-2026

Explanation

• Apiculture is the practice of rearing honeybees for honey and wax production.
• Helps in pollination and increasing crop yields.
• Honey, beeswax, and propolis are valuable products from apiculture.

• Sericulture → Rearing of silk worms.
• Silviculture → Cultivation of trees and forests.

Last verified on 30-01-2026

Explanation

• Sugarcane pyrilla is a major pest of sugarcane in Pakistan.
• It damages plants by sucking sap from leaves and stems, weakening the crop.

Additional information:

Common sugarcane pests and their feeding types:

• Sugarcane pyrilla – sucking
• White grub – chewing
• Sugarcane stem borer – boring/biting
• Termites – chewing
• Aphids – sucking

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• Soil pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of soil, affecting nutrient availability.
• Most soils in Pakistan are neutral to slightly alkaline, with a pH of 7–8.

Additional information:

pH ranges of soil types:

• Acidic soil – < 7 (e.g., hilly areas of Pakistan)
• Neutral soil – 7
• Slightly alkaline soil – 7–8 (most Pakistani soils)
• Strongly alkaline soil – 8–9
• Sodic soil – > 9

Last verified on 24-01-2026

Explanation

• Sunflower is an oilseed crop grown for edible oil and seeds.
• Seed rate is the amount of seed sown per acre to ensure optimal plant population.
• Proper seed rate ensures good growth, uniform flowering, and maximum yield.

Additional information:

• Seeds are usually sown in rows 30–40 cm apart for proper spacing.

Last verified on 23-01-2026