State Forest Service — Assistant Conservator of Forests (state PSC exams) · India · State Public Service Commissions (e.g. TNPSC, MPPSC, UPPSC, HPPSC, KPSC, MPSC)
Original practice questions written to the published syllabus · not past papersCollecting, processing, storing, testing and certifying tree seed so that nurseries get the right seed of known quality and origin.
In the exams: ICAR AICE-JRF 59 Unit 2 (seed collection, dormancy, testing, ISTA rules, certification); IFoS Forestry Paper I Section B; ICAR AIEEA-PG Group 09 (tree seed technology)
State Forest Service, Range Forest Officer and Forester examinations
Seed collection seasons, processing of teak, sal and legume seed, storage, pre-sowing treatment and seed registers.
How our questions for State Forest Service spread across the units of Forest Tree Seed Technology. Difficulty: 4 easy, 13 medium, 8 hard.
| Seed collection methods and timing | 3 | |
| Orthodox, intermediate and recalcitrant seed and their storage | 3 | |
| Seed dormancy types and pre-treatments | 3 | |
| Seed testing: purity, moisture, viability (tetrazolium), germination | 3 | |
| Seed zones, seed sources and documentation of origin | 3 | |
| Seed pests and seed health | 3 | |
| Seed development, maturity indices and seed years | 2 | |
| Seed extraction, cleaning and processing | 2 | |
| Seed certification and the OECD Forest Seed and Plant Scheme | 2 | |
| ISTA rules and seed testing standards | 1 |
Choose an answer, then open the working. Each explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others are not.
In the cutting test for maturity, a mature seed typically shows:
B. A fully formed embryo and firm endosperm
A fully developed embryo and firm reserves indicate maturity. Milky or watery contents mean the seed is immature.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
A heavy, often synchronised seed crop after years of light crops is called a:
A. Mast year
Mast years are irregular heavy crops, often synchronised across large areas. The other terms do not describe seed crops.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
Why is seed collected from many well-spaced trees rather than from a few trees?
C. To keep a broad genetic base and avoid relatives and inbreeding
Many unrelated parents give genetically diverse seed lots. Spacing reduces the chance of collecting from close relatives. The other claims are false.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
Fleshy fruits should be transported after collection in:
B. Open, ventilated containers, processed quickly
Fleshy fruits ferment and heat in closed bags, killing the seed. Ventilation and quick depulping prevent this.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
A seed store in a humid tropical town keeps orthodox seed in open sacks. What is the most effective low-cost improvement?
B. Dry it well and seal it in containers in a cool room
Drying and sealing prevent moisture uptake, the main cause of deterioration. Wetting, heating or mixing with moist sand speeds it.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
Teak germination is commonly improved by:
D. Alternate soaking in water and drying in the sun over a period of days
Alternate wetting and drying weathers the hard endocarp and felty mesocarp. Germination is still slow and uneven.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
Why should pre-treatment prescriptions be confirmed on the actual seed lot?
A. Dormancy varies between seed lots and provenances
Depth of dormancy differs with provenance, year and storage, so a small trial avoids over- or under-treating.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
Two lots both show 85 per cent germination, but one germinated slowly and unevenly. What does this suggest?
B. The slow lot probably has lower vigour and will perform worse in the nursery
Speed and uniformity reflect vigour; aged or stressed lots germinate slowly and do worse under nursery stress.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
Storage moulds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium thrive when seed is stored:
C. Too moist and too warm
Moulds need moisture and warmth; drying and cool storage control them.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
Which is the most important single defence against insects and fungi in stored orthodox seed?
C. Drying the seed to a low moisture content before storage
Low moisture stops most fungi and many insects and slows ageing. Open sacks, leaves and warmth increase problems.
Further reading: Schmidt, Guide to Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Seed (2000); Bonner & Karrfalt, The Woody Plant Seed Manual (2008); ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing
Ten here, 25 in the app. The Laisha app has every practice question we have written to State Forest Service in this subject, marked as you go, with timed papers, a jump-to-unanswered list and a certificate when you pass at 70 per cent.
Free for ten days, then one subscription of US$10 a month. We would rather say so here than have you find it later.
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