FORESTRY

OPSC PYQs
Calculate the number of seeds required to raise a 20 hec. plantation
with 4m x 4m spacing and an extra plant in-the centre of each
square. Plant percent of the species is 75%
[OPSC Civil (Main) 2018 | 20 m]

Approach : (1) Introduction – Present the relevant data in a clear, organized

format.
(2) Seed Calculation : Determine the seed requirement per
hectare and then calculate the total requirement for the
20-hectare area.
(3) Create a well-structured diagram to illustrate the planting
pattern (Very important).
(4) Now, : Calculate secondary factors and provide a brief,
summarizing conclusion based on all results.

Solution
• Planted area = 20 Hec.
• Spacing = 4 m × 4m
• with quinquennial plantation (one extra plant in the centre of each
quare)
• Seed of a required species in a seed lot = 75 % (That means, there is
about 25 % impurity)

Total seeds required for 1 hectare

2×100 ×100
Seeds =
𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒

2×100 ×100
=
4×4

= 1250

Total seeds required for 20-hectare area

= 1250 × 20 = 25,000

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∵ Seed lots contain 25% (14) impurities, meaning that for every 100 seeds
3
purchased, only 75 ( ) are viable seeds of the desired tree species. The
4

remaining 25 % consists of seeds from other unwanted species or dead

and immature seeds.

Therefore, to obtain 100 viable seeds of the desired species, we need to

4
purchase a seed lot containing 133.33 seeds (100 × ) = 33.33% more
3

seeds than the actual requirement to account for the impurities in the
seed lot.

∴ Therefore, to get 25,000 seeds we required seeds are

4
= 25000 ×
3

= 33,333 Seeds

Therefore, we would need approximately 33,333 seeds to raise a 20-hectare

plantation with the 4m x 4m given spacing, Quinquennial plantation and 75
% plant percent.

Calculate quantity of seed that would be required for raising 10-

hectare plantation of Sal. Given planting distance is 3 x 3
meter, Number of seed/kg is 500 and plant percent is 70

[OPSC Civil (Main) 2016 | 20 m]

Approach : (1) Introduction – Present the given data in a simplified format.

(2) Begin by calculating the seed requirement for one hectare,
then multiply that by the total given area (10 hectares)
(3) Create a clear and accurate diagram (this is Very crucial)
(4) Next, calculate any secondary factors. Conclude with a brief,
comprehensive summary of the findings.

Solution

• Planted Area : 10 hectares

• Spacing : 3m x 3m (means, Sal plantation will be planted in a square
pattern)
• Plant Percentage : 70%
• Seed Weight : 500 seeds per kilogram
• Required calculation : Quantity of seeds needed (in kilograms)

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 FORESTRY

Total seeds required for 1 hectare (in Numbers)

100 ×100
Number of seeds = 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

𝟏𝟎𝟎 ×𝟏𝟎𝟎
=
𝟑×𝟑

= 1111.11 Seeds [if calculator allowed)

Total seeds required for 10 hectare (in Numbers)

𝟏𝟎𝟎 ×𝟏𝟎𝟎
= 10 × Seeds
𝟑×𝟑

= 10 × 1,111.11 = 11,111.11 Seeds [if calculator allowed)

∵ Plant percentage is 70 %. This has two possible interpretations - ❶The

Sal seed lot contains 70% Sal seeds, with the remaining 30% being
impurities such as seeds from other species or dead/immature seeds. ❷
Alternatively, if 100 seeds are planted, only 70 survive the first year. In
both cases, the effective success rate is 70%.

Therefore, to obtain 100 Viable seeds of the desired species, we need to

10
purchase a seed lot containing (100 × ) Seeds.
7

∴ Therefore, the actual sees requirements

𝟏𝟎𝟎 ×𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎
= 10 × ×
𝟑×𝟑 𝟕

= 15,873 Seeds

15,873
Or = = 31.74 Kg (as given 500 seeds in 1 kg)
500

Therefore, we would need approximately 31.74 Kg of Sal seeds to raise a 10-

hectare plantation with the 3m x 3m given spacing and 70 % plant percent.

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