Explore key methods and factors that influence crop yield improvement in agriculture with these beginner-friendly questions. Sharpen your understanding of effective farming practices for greater productivity.
Which of the following most directly helps increase crop yield by providing essential nutrients to plants?
Explanation: Fertilizers supply essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are crucial for plant growth and higher yields. Irrigation helps provide water but not nutrients. Mulching conserves soil moisture and temperature but doesn't directly add nutrients. Crop rotation manages soil health over time but isn't a direct nutrient source.
What type of crop variety is commonly selected by farmers for higher yields and disease resistance?
Explanation: Hybrid varieties are bred specifically for higher yields and greater resistance to diseases. Heirloom varieties preserve old genetics but may be less productive. Weed-resistant weeds is not relevant as weeds are undesirable. Traditional landraces offer genetic diversity but often yield less.
Which irrigation technique helps maximize water use efficiency and can improve crop yields in dry regions?
Explanation: Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, minimizing waste and improving yields, especially in water-limited areas. Flood irrigation is less efficient and wastes water. Overhead sprinkling can lead to evaporation losses. Rain-fed farming depends on unpredictable rainfall.
What is the main benefit of integrated pest management (IPM) for improving crop yield?
Explanation: Integrated pest management reduces crop losses to pests and diseases, helping maintain higher yields. It does not reduce plant growth or prevent seeds from germinating. While it may help reduce some chemical inputs, its main role is not to cut fertilizer requirements.
Which farming practice improves soil structure and fertility, leading to better crop growth over time?
Explanation: Crop rotation replenishes nutrients and interrupts pest cycles, improving soil health and productivity. Monocropping can deplete nutrients and encourage pests. Continuous tillage can damage soil structure. Burning fields may clear land quickly but harms long-term soil quality.