Explore key aspects of chilli fertilization in agriculture with these medium-difficulty questions covering nutrient requirements, deficiency symptoms, fertilization methods, and best practices for healthy crop yields.
Which nutrient is most crucial for promoting flowering and fruit set in chilli plants?
Explanation: Phosphorus plays a vital role in initiating flowering and fruiting in chilli crops. Nitrogen mainly supports vegetative growth, magnesium is central to chlorophyll production but less influential for flowering, and calcium is important for cell wall strength but not directly tied to flower and fruit production.
A chilli crop shows upward-curling leaves and yellowing between the veins; which nutrient is most likely deficient?
Explanation: Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis and leaf curling, especially on older leaves. Iron deficiency typically causes yellowing in younger leaves, zinc deficiency leads to stunted growth and small leaves, and sulphur deficiency symptoms usually appear as overall yellowing without the curling pattern.
For maximum efficiency in chilli cultivation, when should urea be applied?
Explanation: Applying urea in split doses after transplanting matches nutrient uptake by the crop and minimizes losses. Applying all at planting increases leaching risks, using only at flowering can cause vegetative issues, and application at fruit picking is too late to influence crop nutrition effectively.
Why is maintaining soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 important for chilli nutrition?
Explanation: A pH range of 6.0–7.0 allows chilli plants to access most essential nutrients efficiently. While healthy soil may contribute indirectly to pest resistance, frost protection and rapid germination are not directly influenced by soil pH in the context of nutrient uptake.
What is the main benefit of foliar application of micronutrient fertilizers on chilli plants?
Explanation: Foliar application delivers necessary micronutrients directly to the leaves, allowing quick correction of deficiencies. This method does not directly affect soil water retention, pollination rate, or weed resistance.