Chilli Crop Nutrient Challenge Quiz

Explore essential facts about optimal nutrient management and fertilizer choices for healthy chilli plants in horticultural production. This quiz covers best practices, deficiency symptoms, and fertilization timing.

1. Essential Primary Nutrient

   Which primary nutrient is most vital for root and flower development in chilli plants grown in a horticultural field?

   1. Zinc
   2. Phosphorus
   3. Calcium
   4. Magnesium

   Explanation: Phosphorus plays a crucial role in the development of roots and flowers in chilli crops, supporting overall plant vigor and fruiting. Calcium supports cell wall development but is not primarily for root and flower growth. Zinc and magnesium are important micronutrients and secondary nutrients, respectively, but their main roles are not directly related to root and flower development.

2. Nitrogen Deficiency Sign

   A chilli farmer observes pale green leaves and stunted growth in the crop; which nutrient deficiency is most likely responsible?

   1. Nitrogen
   2. Iron
   3. Sulphur
   4. Potassium

   Explanation: Nitrogen deficiency typically leads to pale or yellowing leaves and slow plant growth. Potassium deficiency often causes leaf edge scorching, sulphur deficiency may create yellowing but less stunting, and iron deficiency usually affects only newer leaves.

3. Fertilizer Application Timing

   What is the recommended time for the first application of nitrogen fertilizer after chilli transplanting?

   1. Immediately at transplanting
   2. After first harvest
   3. 60 days after transplanting
   4. 15–20 days after transplanting

   Explanation: Applying nitrogen 15–20 days after transplanting matches the crop's active growth phase. Immediate application can cause losses before uptake, 60 days is too late to support early growth, and after first harvest does not aid establishment.

4. Micronutrient Foliar Spray

   If chilli plants develop interveinal chlorosis in younger leaves, which micronutrient should typically be applied as a foliar spray?

   1. Iron
   2. Molybdenum
   3. Boron
   4. Copper

   Explanation: Iron deficiency commonly causes interveinal chlorosis in new leaves. Boron deficiency more often affects fruit set, copper deficiency can cause leaf tip dieback, and molybdenum deficiency rarely presents this symptom in chilli.

5. Fertilizer Source Selection

   Which fertilizer would supply both nitrogen and phosphorus for basal chilli fertilizer application?

   1. DAP (Diammonium Phosphate)
   2. Gypsum
   3. MOP (Muriate of Potash)
   4. Urea

   Explanation: DAP provides both nitrogen and phosphorus, making it suitable as a basal application. Urea supplies only nitrogen, MOP supplies potassium, and gypsum primarily supplies calcium and sulfur.