Explore essential facts about Bengal gram cultivation, growth requirements, and agricultural practices. Challenge your knowledge of this important pulse crop and its growth patterns.
Which climate condition is most suitable for the growth of Bengal gram (chickpea) crops?
Explanation: Bengal gram thrives best in cool and dry climates, particularly during flowering and pod setting. Hot and humid conditions promote diseases, very cold with frost can damage seedlings, and wet or marshy soils often cause root rot and poor plant health.
During which season is Bengal gram mainly sown in India for optimal growth?
Explanation: Bengal gram is primarily grown as a rabi (winter) crop in India when temperatures are moderate. Kharif is mostly for rainy season crops, summer is too hot, and pre-monsoon is not ideal for its germination or growth.
What type of soil is best suited for cultivating Bengal gram for high yield?
Explanation: Bengal gram grows best in well-drained loamy soils, which retain enough moisture but do not waterlog. Heavy clay soils can restrict root growth, saline soils reduce germination rates due to salt stress, and rocky soils are poor in nutrients and make cultivation difficult.
Which of the following is a common practice before sowing Bengal gram seeds to promote healthy growth?
Explanation: Treating Bengal gram seeds with fungicide prevents seed-borne diseases and promotes healthy seedling establishment. Soaking in salty water can damage seeds, freezing is unnecessary and can harm viability, while skipping treatment increases disease risk.
Why is the flowering and pod formation stage critical for Bengal gram crop yield?
Explanation: The flowering and pod formation stage is crucial as it directly affects the number and quality of seeds produced. Root growth does not stop here, leaf shedding is not predominant in this stage, and water requirement is moderate, not the least, during this time.