Explanation

• In FY 2006–07, ACAC (chaired by the SBP Governor) approved Rs. 160 billion target.

Additional information:

• 2005–06 target → Rs. 130 billion
• Increase → 23%

Last verified on 11-02-2026

Explanation

• Pakistan’s forests are classified into commercial (production) and protection forests.
• Total forest cover is low, estimated between 2% and 5.7% of the country’s area.
• Around one-third (33%) of forest area is commercial, managed for timber and other products.

Last verified on 11-02-2026

Explanation

• The share of livestock in agricultural growth almost doubled in 10 years from 25.3% in 1996 to 49.6% in 2006.
• Growth was driven by dairy, poultry, and meat production improvements.
• Livestock is now a major contributor to Pakistan’s GDP.

Last verified on 11-02-2026

Explanation

• Soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil particles into aggregates.
• Adding organic matter (compost, manure) improves porosity, aeration, and water retention.
• Chemical fertilizers mainly provide nutrients, not structure.
• Gypsum improves sodic soils but not general structure.
• Healthy soil structure promotes root growth and crop yield.

Last verified on 07-02-2026

Explanation

• Cross-pollinated crops rely on genetic diversity for vigor.
• Continuous selfing causes inbreeding depression, reducing yield and vitality.
• Traits become homozygous, but plants perform poorly.
• Examples: maize, sunflower, and sorghum show reduced growth with selfing.
• Selfing in cross-pollinated crops is generally avoided in breeding programs.

Last verified on 07-02-2026

Explanation

• Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a crop grown for its oil-rich seeds.
• The oil is used in cooking, cosmetics, and industrial applications.
• It is a drought-tolerant crop, suitable for arid regions.
• Flowers can be yellow, orange, or red, but mainly for oil production.

Last verified on 07-02-2026

Explanation

• Inbred lines are developed by repeated selfing and selection in cross-pollinated crops.
• This produces homozygous lines with stable traits.
• Used in hybrid seed production for crops like maize, sunflower, and sorghum.
• Inbred lines increase uniformity and yield potential in hybrids.
• They are genetically pure lines.

Last verified on 07-02-2026

Explanation

• Gossypium hirsutum is the most widely cultivated cotton species globally.
• Provides long, soft fibers ideal for textile production.
• Known as Upland cotton.
• Accounts for over 90% of world cotton production.

Last verified on 07-02-2026

Explanation

• Eragate are the worker ants in ant colonies.
• They are usually wingless and perform colony tasks.
• Tasks include foraging, nest maintenance, and care of brood.
• Only queen ants reproduce; ergates support the colony.
• Found in most ant species around the world.

Last verified on 07-02-2026

Explanation

• True potato seed (TPS) comes from seeds inside the fruit of potato plants.
• Unlike tubers, these seeds are sexual reproduction.
• TPS helps in breeding new potato varieties.
• Potato tubers are used for vegetative propagation.
• Each TPS can produce genetically different plants.

Last verified on 07-02-2026