Breeding Field Crops MCQs

1. Which of the following breeding methods is most effective for improving self-pollinated crops like wheat?
(A) Pedigree method
(B) Mass selection
(C) Hybridization
(D) Heterosis breeding

2. In hybridization breeding, the F1 generation is produced by crossing:
(A) Two homozygous parents of the same species
(B) Two genetically identical parents
(C) Two genetically different individuals of different species
(D) Two genetically different individuals of the same species

3. What is the primary objective of “backcross breeding” in field crops?
(A) To improve disease resistance
(B) To increase the yield potential
(C) To incorporate a single desirable trait from a donor parent into an elite variety
(D) To increase genetic diversity within a crop

4. Which of the following is the primary advantage of using molecular markers in crop breeding?
(A) Increased genetic diversity
(B) Direct selection of desirable traits without needing to phenotype
(C) Faster seed production
(D) Lower cost of breeding programs

5. In field crop breeding, “heterosis” refers to:
(A) The ability of hybrids to outperform both parental lines in terms of yield or other traits
(B) The genetic purity of inbred lines
(C) The decrease in plant vigor due to genetic incompatibility
(D) The introduction of foreign genes into a crop species

6. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic typically selected for in field crop breeding programs?
(A) High yield potential
(B) Resistance to pests and diseases
(C) Dwarf stature for easier harvesting
(D) High seed dormancy for long storage

7. Which of the following is the primary goal of breeding for “genetic diversity” in field crops?
(A) To create uniformity in crop populations for industrial farming
(B) To enhance resistance to diseases and environmental stresses
(C) To reduce the overall number of different crop varieties
(D) To improve the visual appeal of crops

8. In the context of field crop breeding, “MAS” stands for:
(A) Marker-assisted selection
(B) Molecular agricultural systems
(C) Modified agronomy techniques
(D) Mass agricultural selection

9. The “three-line system” of hybrid seed production in field crops involves the use of:
(A) Two inbred lines and a third line used for crossing
(B) One parental line and two hybrid lines
(C) Two hybrid lines and a third line for cross-pollination
(D) A female sterile line, a maintainer line, and a restorer line

10. Which of the following methods is most commonly used to develop hybrid varieties of maize?
(A) Pedigree method
(B) Mass selection
(C) Topcross breeding
(D) Inbreeding and cross-pollination

11. Which of the following is an example of a quantitative trait in field crops?
(A) Plant height
(B) Flower color
(C) Resistance to a specific disease
(D) Seed shape

12. In field crop breeding, “progeny testing” is primarily used to:
(A) Identify desirable traits in the parent plants
(B) Test the viability of seeds in different environments
(C) Evaluate the genetic potential of offspring by assessing their traits
(D) Introduce foreign genes into crop plants

13. Which of the following is the most commonly used breeding method for developing varieties of self-pollinated crops like rice?
(A) Mass selection
(B) Pedigree selection
(C) Hybridization
(D) Backcross breeding

14. In hybrid seed production, the “male sterile” line is essential for:
(A) Producing pollen to fertilize the female parent
(B) Ensuring that the hybrid seeds do not self-pollinate
(C) Enhancing genetic diversity
(D) Increasing the yield potential of the hybrid

15. Which of the following is a disadvantage of using inbreeding to develop pure lines in field crop breeding?
(A) Increased heterosis
(B) Reduced genetic variability and potential in the population
(C) Increased disease resistance
(D) Greater crop yield stability