FYUG Odd Semester Exam, 2023 (Held in 2024) BOTANY (Gardening and Nursery Management) Course No.: BOTIDC-101T

Subject Botany Paper Code BOTIDC-101T
Semester 1st Semester (FYUG) Full Marks 70
Time 3 Hours Pass Marks 28

Instructions: The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions. [span_7](start_span)[span_8](start_span)Answer twenty questions from Section-A, five from Section-B, and five from Section-C as per unit requirements.[span_7](end_span)[span_8](end_span)

SECTION-A (Objective/Short Answers)

Answer any twenty questions (1 mark each).

UNIT-I

1. Name one method of soil sterilization in gardening operation.1

Solarization is a common method where soil is covered with plastic sheets to trap solar heat and kill pathogens.

2. What is defoliation?1

Defoliation is the process of removing leaves from a plant, either naturally due to environmental factors or artificially to encourage new growth or flowering.

3. Define topiary.1

Topiary is the horticultural practice of training perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees and shrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes, such as geometric or animal forms.

4. What is hedge?1

A hedge is a line of closely spaced shrubs and sometimes tree species, planted and trained to form a barrier or to mark the boundary of an area.

5. What do you mean by transplanting?1

Transplanting is the process of moving a plant from one location (usually a nursery or seedbed) to its permanent growing position in a garden or field.

UNIT-II

6. Name a plant most commonly cultivated in Kitchen gardens.1

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most common plants cultivated in kitchen gardens.

7. Write the name of a famous botanical garden in India.1

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Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, situated in Shibpur, Howrah (Kolkata).[span_17](end_span)

8. Name an orchard plant.1

Mango (Mangifera indica).

9. What are weeds?1

Weeds are unwanted plants growing in a specific location, often competing with cultivated plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight.

10. What is organic manure?1

Organic manure is decomposed organic matter derived from animal waste (e.g., cow dung) or plant residues (e.g., compost) used to improve soil fertility.

UNIT-III

11. State the function of humidifier.1

A humidifier is used to increase the moisture content (relative humidity) in the air within a greenhouse or nursery to prevent plants from drying out.

12. Mention the climatic condition in which net house is the best alternative to raise seedlings.1

Net houses are best suited for hot and arid climates or areas with high intensity of sunlight and wind, as they provide partial shade and wind protection.

13. What is the use of mist propagating unit?1

It is used for the propagation of softwood cuttings by maintaining a fine film of water on the leaves to reduce transpiration and cooling the environment.

14. What is Lathhouse?1

A lathhouse is a structure made of wood or metal laths that provides partial shade and reduces wind velocity, used for hardening seedlings or growing shade-loving plants.

15. What is the use of hotbed in gardening and nursery management?1

A hotbed is an enclosed bed of soil that is heated (usually by decomposing organic matter or electric cables) to provide warmth for germinating seeds and rooting cuttings in cold weather.

UNIT-IV

16. Name a vegetative propagating part of garden plants.1

Stem cuttings.

17. What is tuber?1

A tuber is a thickened underground stem or root used by plants to store nutrients, such as a potato.

18. What are the parts of a seed?1

The primary parts are the Seed coat, Embryo, and Endosperm (food storage).

19. Name one rooting hormone.1

Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA).

20. What are epiphytes?1

Epiphytes are plants that grow on the surface of another plant (usually trees) for physical support but derive their moisture and nutrients from the air and rain, not the host.

UNIT-V

21. Name one avenue tree.1

Gulmohar (Delonix regia).

22. Where is the Indian Botanic Garden situated?1

It is situated in Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal.

23. Name one ornamental climber.1

Bougainvillea.

24. Name one ornamental foliage plant.1

Coleus.

25. Name one ornamental annual plant.1

Marigold (Tagetes).

SECTION-B (Short Notes)

Answer five questions (2 marks each).

UNIT-I: 26. What are the advantages of shading?

2

  • Protects young seedlings from intense direct sunlight and heat.
  • Reduces the rate of transpiration, helping plants maintain turgidity.
  • Provides a cooler micro-environment favorable for germinating shade-loving species.

UNIT-II: 29. Write a brief note on different gardening operations.

2

Gardening operations involve several systematic activities:

  • Soil Preparation: Digging, leveling, and enriching with manure.
  • Sowing and Planting: Placing seeds or saplings at correct depths and intervals.
  • Aftercare: Regular watering, weeding, mulching, and pruning to maintain plant health.

UNIT-III: 31. Write the advantages of polyhouse.

2

  • Off-season cultivation: Allows growing of crops year-round regardless of outside weather.
  • Protection: Shields plants from pests, diseases, heavy rain, and frost.
  • Higher Yield: Controlled environment leads to better quality and higher productivity.

UNIT-IV: 33. What are hydrophytes? Name one ornamental hydrophyte.

2

Hydrophytes are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments (water).
Example: Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) or Water Lily (Nymphaea).

UNIT-V: 35. Suggest two plants suitable for Bonsai making.

2

  1. Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig).
  2. Juniperus (Juniper).

SECTION-C (Descriptive)

Answer five questions (8 marks each).

UNIT-I: 37. Describe different styles of gardens.

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Gardens are generally classified into three major styles:

  1. Formal Style: Characterized by symmetrical patterns, straight paths, and geometric shapes. Everything is planned to follow a rigid design. Examples include Mughal Gardens and French Gardens.
  2. Informal Style: Designed to mimic nature. It uses asymmetrical designs, curved paths, and naturalistic groupings of plants. Examples include English Gardens and Japanese Gardens.
  3. Free Style: A modern approach that combines elements of both formal and informal styles, focusing on utility, aesthetics, and the specific needs of the location.

UNIT-II: 38. Write illustrated notes on Terrace gardening and Landscaping.

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Terrace Gardening:

  • Involves growing plants on rooftops, balconies, or terraces, especially in urban areas with limited ground space.
  • Requires lightweight growing media and proper drainage/waterproofing to prevent structural damage to the building.

Landscaping:

  • The art of modifying the visible features of an area of land, including living elements (flora/fauna), natural elements (landforms, water), and abstract elements (lighting).
  • The goal is to create a functional and aesthetic outdoor environment that complements the surrounding architecture.

UNIT-III: 41. Write a note on polyhouse. Mention the advantages and disadvantages.

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A polyhouse is a structure made of polyethylene film that acts as a greenhouse, allowing solar radiation to enter while trapping heat to create a favorable microclimate.

Advantages:

  • Enables cultivation in unfavorable climatic conditions.
  • Efficient use of water and fertilizers through localized systems like drip irrigation.
  • Reduces the incidence of pest and disease attacks compared to open fields.

Disadvantages:

  • High initial installation cost.
  • Requires constant monitoring and technical knowledge to manage temperature and humidity.
  • Susceptibility to damage from high wind or physical tearing of the plastic.

UNIT-IV: 42. Define layering. Describe different types of layering along with necessary diagrams.

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Layering is a vegetative propagation method where roots are encouraged to form on a stem while it is still attached to the parent plant.

Types of Layering:

  1. Simple Layering: A low-hanging branch is bent to the ground, a portion is covered with soil, and the tip is left exposed.
  2. Air Layering (Gootie): A ring of bark is removed from a branch, covered with moist moss and plastic, and tied until roots appear. Often used for fruit trees like Litchi.
  3. Mound/Stool Layering: The plant is cut back to the ground, and soil is mounded over the new shoots to induce rooting at their bases.

UNIT-V: 45. Write two plant names of the following categories.

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Category Plant 1 Plant 2
Bulbous plants Dahlia Lily
Ornamental trees Amaltas (Cassia fistula) Gulmohar
Pot plants Money Plant (Epipremnum) Anthurium
Ornamental ferns Boston Fern Adiantum (Maidenhair Fern)