Agroecology MCQs

1. What is the primary goal of agroecology?
A) Maximizing crop yields at any cost
B) Enhancing the sustainability and resilience of agricultural systems
C) Increasing the use of chemical fertilizers
D) Developing new genetically modified crops
Answer: B) Enhancing the sustainability and resilience of agricultural systems

2. Which principle is central to agroecology?
A) Monoculture cropping systems
B) Reduction of biodiversity
C) Integration of ecological principles into farming practices
D) Heavy reliance on synthetic pesticides
Answer: C) Integration of ecological principles into farming practices

3. What is “crop rotation” in agroecology?
A) Growing the same crop in the same field year after year
B) Alternating different crops in the same field over different seasons
C) Using synthetic chemicals to improve soil fertility
D) Growing multiple crops simultaneously in the same field
Answer: B) Alternating different crops in the same field over different seasons

4. What is the main benefit of using cover crops in agroecology?
A) To reduce soil erosion and improve soil fertility
B) To increase the use of chemical fertilizers
C) To eliminate the need for irrigation
D) To grow a monoculture of cash crops
Answer: A) To reduce soil erosion and improve soil fertility

5. Which of the following is an example of a beneficial insect used in agroecology?
A) Ladybugs
B) Termites
C) Fruit flies
D) Mosquitoes
Answer: A) Ladybugs

6. What does “integrated pest management” (IPM) involve in agroecology?
A) Using chemical pesticides exclusively
B) Combining biological, cultural, and mechanical methods to manage pests
C) Relying solely on chemical fertilizers
D) Planting only a single crop variety
Answer: B) Combining biological, cultural, and mechanical methods to manage pests

7. What is the role of “agroforestry” in agroecology?
A) Combining trees and shrubs with crops or livestock to enhance productivity and sustainability
B) Using only trees for timber production
C) Focusing exclusively on crop production without trees
D) Increasing the use of synthetic fertilizers
Answer: A) Combining trees and shrubs with crops or livestock to enhance productivity and sustainability

8. What is “polyculture” in agroecology?
A) Growing a single crop species in a field
B) Growing multiple crop species together in a field
C) Using synthetic pesticides to manage pests
D) Relying on genetically modified organisms
Answer: B) Growing multiple crop species together in a field

9. Which practice helps to build soil organic matter and improve soil structure in agroecology?
A) Composting
B) Applying synthetic fertilizers
C) Monoculture cropping
D) Overgrazing
Answer: A) Composting

10. What is the concept of “biodiversity” in agroecology?
A) The variety of plant and animal species in a given area
B) Growing only a few high-yield crop varieties
C) Eliminating all non-crop species from agricultural fields
D) Increasing the use of chemical inputs
Answer: A) The variety of plant and animal species in a given area

11. How does “no-till farming” benefit agroecology?
A) It reduces soil erosion and preserves soil structure
B) It increases the need for chemical fertilizers
C) It focuses on monoculture cropping systems
D) It eliminates the need for pest management
Answer: A) It reduces soil erosion and preserves soil structure

12. What is “sustainable intensification” in agroecology?
A) Increasing agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impacts
B) Maximizing production without regard to environmental consequences
C) Focusing solely on organic farming practices
D) Reducing crop yields to protect the environment
Answer: A) Increasing agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impacts

13. Which practice can help in improving water conservation in agroecology?
A) Rainwater harvesting
B) Excessive irrigation
C) Use of chemical herbicides
D) Growing only high-water-use crops
Answer: A) Rainwater harvesting

14. What is “green manure” in agroecology?
A) Plants grown to improve soil fertility through decomposition
B) Plants used exclusively for animal feed
C) Plants grown for aesthetic purposes only
D) Plants that do not contribute to soil fertility
Answer: A) Plants grown to improve soil fertility through decomposition

15. Which of the following is a key benefit of agroecological farming practices?
A) Enhanced resilience to climate change
B) Increased reliance on synthetic inputs
C) Reduced crop diversity
D) Decreased soil fertility
Answer: A) Enhanced resilience to climate change

16. What is “companion planting” in agroecology?
A) Planting different crops together to benefit each other
B) Planting the same crop in every field
C) Growing plants in isolation from each other
D) Using only synthetic fertilizers
Answer: A) Planting different crops together to benefit each other

17. What role do earthworms play in agroecology?
A) They improve soil structure and fertility through their burrowing and feeding activities
B) They increase soil erosion
C) They primarily feed on crops
D) They are used as pesticides
Answer: A) They improve soil structure and fertility through their burrowing and feeding activities

18. What is “crop diversification” in agroecology?
A) Growing a variety of crops to reduce risk and improve ecosystem health
B) Focusing solely on a single high-yield crop
C) Using synthetic chemicals to enhance crop growth
D) Eliminating non-crop species
Answer: A) Growing a variety of crops to reduce risk and improve ecosystem health

19. Which practice helps in reducing the need for synthetic pesticides in agroecology?
A) Promoting natural predators and beneficial insects
B) Using only chemical herbicides
C) Planting monocultures
D) Increasing irrigation
Answer: A) Promoting natural predators and beneficial insects

20. What is “integrated crop-livestock systems” in agroecology?
A) Combining crop production with livestock rearing to enhance resource use efficiency
B) Focusing exclusively on crop production
C) Using only synthetic inputs for livestock management
D) Separating crop and livestock systems entirely
Answer: A) Combining crop production with livestock rearing to enhance resource use efficiency

Agroecology MCQs

More MCQs on Environmental Science

Elective/Advanced Subjects:

Laboratory and Fieldwork:

Leave a Comment Cancel reply