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Marking Scheme
Strictly Confidential
(For Internal and Restricted use only)
Senior School Certificate Examination, 2024
SUBJECT NAME: AGRICULTURE (Q.P. CODE 332)
General Instructions: -
1 You are aware that evaluation is the most important process in the actual and correct
assessment of the candidates. A small mistake in evaluation may lead to serious problems
which may affect the future of the candidates, education system and teaching profession.
To avoid mistakes, it is requested that before starting evaluation, you must read and
understand the spot evaluation guidelines carefully.
2 “Evaluation policy is a confidential policy as it is related to the confidentiality of the
examinations conducted, Evaluation done and several other aspects. Its’ leakage to
public in any manner could lead to derailment of the examination system and affect
the life and future of millions of candidates. Sharing this policy/document to
anyone, publishing in any magazine and printing in News Paper/Website etc. may
invite action under various rules of the Board and IPC.”
3 Evaluation is to be done as per instructions provided in the Marking Scheme. It should not
be done according to one’s own interpretation or any other consideration. Marking
Scheme should be strictly adhered to and religiously followed. However, while
evaluating, answers which are based on latest information or knowledge and/or are
innovative, they may be assessed for their correctness otherwise and due marks be
awarded to them. In class-XII, while evaluating two competency-based questions,
please try to understand given answer and even if reply is not from marking scheme
but correct competency is enumerated by the candidate, due marks should be
awarded.
4 The Marking Scheme carries only suggested value points for the answers
These are in the nature of Guidelines only and do not constitute the complete answer. The
students can have their own expression and if the expression is correct, the due marks
should be awarded accordingly.
5 The Head-Examiner must go through the first five answer books evaluated by each
evaluator on the first day, to ensure that evaluation has been carried out as per the
instructions given in the Marking Scheme. If there is any variation, the same should be
zero after delibration and discussion. The remaining answer books meant for evaluation
shall be given only after ensuring that there is no significant variation in the marking of
individual evaluators.
6 Evaluators will mark( √ ) wherever answer is correct. For wrong answer CROSS ‘X” be
marked. Evaluators will not put right (✓)while evaluating which gives an impression that
answer is correct and no marks are awarded. This is most common mistake which
evaluators are committing.
7 If a question has parts, please award marks on the right-hand side for each part. Marks
awarded for different parts of the question should then be totaled up and written in the left-
hand margin and encircled. This may be followed strictly.
8 If a question does not have any parts, marks must be awarded in the left-hand margin and
encircled. This may also be followed strictly.
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9 If a student has attempted an extra question, answer of the question deserving more
marks should be retained and the other answer scored out with a note “Extra Question”.
10 No marks to be deducted for the cumulative effect of an error. It should be penalized only
once.
11 A full scale of marks 60 marks as given in Question Paper) has to be used. Please do not
hesitate to award full marks if the answer deserves it.
12 Every examiner has to necessarily do evaluation work for full working hours i.e., 8 hours
every day and evaluate 25 answer books per day in Agriculture subject (808)This is in
view of the reduced syllabus and number of questions in question paper.
13 Ensure that you do not make the following common types of errors committed by the
Examiner in the past:-
● Leaving answer or part thereof unassessed in an answer book.
● Giving more marks for an answer than assigned to it.
● Wrong totaling of marks awarded on an answer.
● Wrong transfer of marks from the inside pages of the answer book to the title page.
● Wrong question wise totaling on the title page.
● Wrong totaling of marks of the two columns on the title page.
● Wrong grand total.
● Marks in words and figures not tallying/not same.
● Wrong transfer of marks from the answer book to online award list.
● Answers marked as correct, but marks not awarded. (Ensure that the right tick mark
is correctly and clearly indicated. It should merely be a line. Same is with the X for
incorrect answer.)
● Half or a part of answer marked correct and the rest as wrong, but no marks awarded.
14 While evaluating the answer books if the answer is found to be totally incorrect, it should
be marked as cross (X) and awarded zero (0)Marks.
15 Any unassessed portion, non-carrying over of marks to the title page, or totaling error
detected by the candidate shall damage the prestige of all the personnel engaged in the
evaluation work as also of the Board. Hence, in order to uphold the prestige of all
concerned, it is again reiterated that the instructions be followed meticulously and
judiciously.
16 The Examiners should acquaint themselves with the guidelines given in the “Guidelines
for Spot Evaluation” before starting the actual evaluation.
17 Every Examiner shall also ensure that all the answers are evaluated, marks carried over to
the title page, correctly totaled and written in figures and words.
18 The candidates are entitled to obtain photocopy of the Answer Book on request on
payment of the prescribed processing fee. All Examiners/Additional Head Examiners/Head
Examiners are once again reminded that they must ensure that evaluation is carried out
strictly as per value points for each answer as given in the Marking Scheme.
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SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION -2024
MARKING SCHEME
AGRICULTURE
Subject Code: 808
SERIES: &RQPS Question Paper Code 332, SET- 4
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Maximum Time : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 60
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SECTION A
Objective Type Questions 30 marks
1 Answer any 4 out of the given 6 questions on Employability skills 41=4
i (C) MS Word 1
ii (A) Decrease the efficiency of energy and raw material 1
iii (A) Taking initiative 1
iv (C) Dependent 1
v (C) Interjective 1
vi (D) Find and Replace 1
2 Answer any 5 out of the given 7 questions. 51=5
i Vitamin A, D, E and K (Any one) 1
ii Guava 1
iii Soil sampling can provide useful information about the chemical and physical conditions 1
of soil from where sample has been taken and also check the availability of plant nutrients
in soil.
iv Soil fertility 1
v Microorganisms used as biopesticides (Any two) ½ x2=1
1) Bacillus thuringiensis
2) Agrobacterium radiobacter (Agrocin)
3) Pseudomonas fluorescens (Phenazine)
4) Trichoderma
5) Metarhizium anispoliae
6) Beauveria bassiana
7) Verticillium lecanii
8) Nomuraea riley
9) Baculoviruses (Bvs)
vi Earthworm 1
vii Prevention of Food Adulteration 1
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3 Answer any 6 out of the given 7 questions. 61=6
i Mango 1
ii Mughal gardens/Amrit udhyaan 1
iii Avenue 1
iv 2 1
450-500 m
v Mysore, Karnataka 1
vi Sodium (Na), Vanadium (V), Silicon (Si) and Cobalt (Co) (Any One) 1
vii Ethylene , C2H2 1
4 Answer any 5 out of the given 6 questions 51=5
i Maleic Hydrazide 1
ii Biopesticide is a formulation made from naturally occurring substances that controls pests 1
by nontoxic mechanisms and in eco-friendly manner.
iii Barbados berry/Aonla 1
iv Molybdenum 1
v Royal Jelly is a honey bee secretion that is used in the nutrition of larvae and adult queens. 1
It is secreted from the glands in the hypopharynx of bee.
vi (1) KMS (Potassium metabisulphite) 1
(2) Sodium Benzoate
5 Answer any 5 out of the given 6 questions. 51=5
i Advantages of organic farming (Any one) 1
(1) Organic manures produce optimal condition in the soil for high yields and good
quality crops.
(2) They supply the entire nutrients required by the plant (NPK, secondary and
micronutrients).
(3) They improve plant growth and physiological activities of plants.
(4) They improve the soil physical properties such as granulation and good tilth, good
aeration, easy root penetration and improves water-holding capacity.
(5) They improve the soil chemical properties such as supply and retention of soil
nutrient and promote favourable chemical reaction.
(6) They reduce the need for purchased inputs.
(7) Most of the organic manures are wastes of by-product the accumulation of which
leads to pollution.
ii 1
Oil, Salt, Vinegar , Lime juice (citric acid){ Any One}
iii 1
Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus and Nitrosolobus { Any One}
iv 1
Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid.
v 1
Bee Pasturage refers to the area/ plants from which bees can collect pollen and nectar.
vi 1
Leaves of Mulberry
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6 Answer any 5 out of the given 6 questions. 51=5
i { Any Two} ½ x2=1
(1) Seed treatment
(2) Seedling root dip
(3) Soil treatment
ii 1
Citric Acid
iii 1
Silkmoth (also called ‘Bombyx mori’)
iv 1
Cultivation of vegetables nearby the home or at the backyard of the house to produce the
vegetables for the family throughout the year is usually termed as home or kitchen
garden. The size of the kitchen garden depends on the availability of land and size of the
family
v 1
Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976
vi 1
Being immobile, phosphates are better utilized when placed near root zone.
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SECTION B
(Subjective Type Questions) (30 Marks)
Answer any 3 questions out of the given 5 questions on employability skills. 3x2=6 marks
Answer each question in 20 – 30 words.
7 A positive attitude makes a student happier, and helps build and maintain relationships. It 1+1=2
even increases one’s chances of success. In addition, it can help the student make better
decisions. Students, who maintain a positive or optimistic attitude in life situations and
challenges, are able to move forward than those with a negative attitude. Positive attitude
helps improve mental and physical health of the students. { Any Two}
8 1+1=2
We know that all sentences begin with a capital letter. It is easy to know what to capitalise
if you remember the acronym ‘MINTS’. MINTS is a set of simple rules that help you to
capitalise words correctly. Each letter in the word MINTS refers to one capitalisation rule.
(Any two rules to be considered for evaluation)
Alphabet M I N T S
Months I Names Titles Starting
letter of
sentences
Rule Capitalise the Capitalise Capitalise the Capitalise Capitalise
first letter in the letter ‘I’ first letter in the first the first
the names of when used the names of letter in the letter in
all months. as a word. people, titles used every
places, rivers, before sentence.
seas and people’s
oceans, names.
mountains,
islands and
days.
9 Advantages of presentation software (Any Two) 1+1=2
(1) They are interesting as they have features like images, videos, animation and
music.
(2) Making changes in digital presentations is easy.
(3) A digital presentation can be shown to a much larger audience by projecting on a screen.
(4) The presentation can be printed and distributed to the audience.
10 2
Economists define an entrepreneur as someone, who brings in resources, labour, material
and other assets into profit making combinations.
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11 2
Borderline personality disorder: People with borderline personality disorder essentially lack
a sense of self-worth, and thus, experience feelings of emptiness and fear of
abandonment. There is a pattern of emotional instability, violent outbursts and impulsive
behaviour. Suicidal threats and acts of self-harm are common in people with such a
personality disorder. They may have difficulty in dealing with stressful events
Answer any 3 out of the given 5 questions in 20 – 30 words each. 3x2=6
12 Bio-fertilizer is a type of fertilizer made from living microorganisms that can improve soil 2
health and plant growth. It may contain bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that fix
nitrogen, break down organic matter, and provide essential nutrients to plants. Bio-
fertilizers are defined as preparations containing living cells or latent cells of efficient
strains of microorganisms that help crop plants for the uptake of nutrients by their
interactions in the rhizosphere, require in less quatity, costly, difficult to store
Compost is a mixture of organic matter, such as leaves, grass clippings, and food
scraps, that has decomposed into a nutrient-rich soil amendment., bulky, cheap, easily
available, no technocal knowledge required
13 i. Jelly fails to set ½ x4=2
ii. Cloudy or foggy jelly
iii. Formation of crystals in jelly
iv. Syneresis or weeping of jelly
14 The advantages of surface irrigation : (Any Two) 1+1=2
i. Low initial cost of land preparation.
ii. This method is the cheapest method.
iii. This method is suitable for paddy, jute
iv. Eay to adopt
15 Role of salt in preservation of horticultural produce 1+1=2
Salt exerts its preservative action by : (Any Two)
i. Causing high osmotic pressure resulting in the plasmolysis of microbial cells.
ii. Dehydrating food and microorganisms by tying up the moisture.
iii. Ionizing to yield the chloride ion which is harmful to
microorganisms.
iv. Reducing the solubility of oxygen in water, sensitizing the cells against CO 2
16 (a) Indian bee : Apis indica 1+1=2
(b) Little bee : Apis florea
Answer any 2 out of the given 3 questions in 30 – 50 words each. 23=6
17 Papaya, banana, grapes, lime, karonda,etc. are suitable fruit trees for kitchen gardening. 1+2=3
(Any Two)
Advantages of kitchen gardening (Any Four)
1) It provides an opportunity for recreation and exercise to family members.
2) It improves Knowledge of family members about vegetable production.
3) It is an ideal mean to convert leisure time into yields.
4) It improves the standard of living by providing nutritious fresh vegetables
and cutting down the expenditure on purchase of vegetables.
5) It provides an opportunity for organic farming to get pesticides free vegetables.
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6) It creates a healthy green environment at the vicinity of home.
7) It provides better pleasure, satisfaction, and reliability during eating of meals.
8) The family can meet the sudden requirement of vegetables.
9) Additional source of income
18 Secondary processing of cereals includes the following processes: fermentation, baking, 1x3=3
puffing, flaking, frying and extrusion
Description on above processes. (Any Three)
19 Reasons to preserve food : (Any Six) ½ x 6=3
(1) To prevent food spoilage and waste.
(2) To retain the colour, taste and nutritional value.
(3) To prolong shelf life.
(4) To reduce loss.
(5) To increase food supply.
(6) To prevent food contamination.
(7) To make food available.
(8) To save money.
(9) To control price of produce during over supply conditions in market
Answer any 3 out of the given 5 questions in 50 – 80 words each. 3 4 =12
20 Irrigation is the practice of applying controlled amount of water to land to help grow crops, 2+2=4
landscape plants and lawns.
Disadvantages of sprinkler irrigation : (Any Four)
(1) High initial cost, cannot be adopted by ordinary farmers.
(2) Poor application efficiency in windy weather and high temperature.
(3) High evaporation losses.
(4) Water should be free of debris.
(5) Equipment need careful handling.
(6) Physical damage to crops by application of high intensity spray.
(7) Power required for running pumping units.
(8) It is not suitable for trees,etc
21 Home or Kitchen Garden : Cultivation of vegetables nearby the home or at the backyard of 1+3=4
the house to produce the vegetables for the family throughout the year is usually termed as
Home or Kitchen garden.
Principles home gardening related to vegetables cultivation : (Any Three)
The stalking varieties of vegetables should be preferred for kitchen gardening.
The proper planning including a selection of vegetable type and its varieties should
be done before sowing to ensure a continuous supply of fresh vegetables full of
nutrients without glut.
The vegetables like cucurbits and beans should be grown around the border and
allowed to spread on the fence.
The root crops like radish, turnip, carrot, etc. should be raised on ridges.
Under fruit tree should be planted shade loving plant like ginger, turmeric etc.
The proper crop rotation must be followed in the selection of vegetable crops.
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22 Vermicomposting: It is the process of turning organic debris into worm casting. The worm 2+2=4
castings are very important to the fertility of the soil.
Advantages of vermicompost: (Any Four)
(1) Actinomycetes are found in vermicompost 8 times more than FYM, that increase
resistant power of crops against pests and diseases.
(2) Vermicompost is rich in all essential plant nutrients.
(3) Provides excellent effect on overall plant growth, encourages the growth of new
shoots/leaves and improves the quality and shelf life of the produce.
(4) Vermicompost is free-flowing, easy to apply, handle and store and does not have bad odour.
(5) It improves soil structure, texture, aeration and water holding capacity and prevents soil
erosion.
(6) Vermicompost is rich in beneficial micro flora such as a fixers,
P-solubilizers, cellulose decomposing micro-flora etc. in addition to improve soil-environment.
(7) Vermicompost contains earthworm, cocoons and increases the population and activity of
earthworm in the soil.
(8) It neutralizes the soil protection.
23 Green chillies – 1 kg, salt – 150 gm, mustard (ground) – 100 gm, 4
lime juice – 200 ml (or) amchur – 200 gm, fenugreek cardamom (large), turmeric, cumin
(powdered) each – 15 gm, mustard oil – 400 ml.
Green chillies
Washing
Drying
Making incision
Mixing all spices in a little lime juice
Mixing with chillies
Filling into jar
Adding lime juice and oil
Keeping in sun for a week
Storage
(In a cool place, away from sunlight)
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24 (a) Zero Energy Cool Chamber : 1+1+2
Principle : It works based on the principle of direct evaporation cooling by maintaining the =4
temperature and relative humidity during summer and winter season naturally with the
application of water. Hence, without electricity, it can be used to enhance the shelf life of
fresh fruits and vegetables. (1mark)
Operation : The whole structure is made wet by sprinkling water twice daily (morning and
evening) in order to achieve desired temperature and relative humidity or fix a drip system
with plastic pipes and micro tubes connected to an overhead water source. The
horticultural produce is kept in perforated plastic crates covered with a thin polyethylene
sheet. Maximum and minimum thermometer and hygrometer are placed in the chamber to
monitor temperature and relative humidity (1mark)
(b) Diagram of zero energy cool chamber (2 marks)
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