Feed Your Wheat Right! Quiz

Sharpen your understanding of nutrient management in wheat farming with this focused agriculture quiz. Challenge your knowledge on best practices, common deficiencies, and nutrient application strategies.

1. Essential Macronutrient

   Which macronutrient is most critical for promoting tillering and robust root development in wheat crops?

   1. Iron
   2. Calcium
   3. Nitrogen
   4. Zinc

   Explanation: Nitrogen is essential for vegetative growth, tillering, and root development in wheat. Calcium is needed for cell wall formation but is usually sufficient in soils. Iron and zinc are important micronutrients but don't directly drive tillering and root vigor to the same extent as nitrogen.

2. Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms

   A wheat field displays yellowing of older leaves while young leaves remain green. Which nutrient deficiency does this indicate?

   1. Potassium
   2. Nitrogen
   3. Sulfur
   4. Magnesium

   Explanation: Yellowing of older leaves (chlorosis) is a classic sign of nitrogen deficiency because nitrogen is mobile and moves to new growth. Potassium and magnesium deficiencies often cause other specific symptoms or patterns, while sulfur deficiency first affects younger leaves.

3. Fertilizer Application Timing

   At which wheat growth stage is the top-dressing of nitrogen fertilizer most effectively applied for yield improvement?

   1. Soil Preparation
   2. Harvest
   3. Dormancy
   4. Tillering

   Explanation: Applying nitrogen during tillering supports shoot formation and maximizes potential yield. Application during dormancy is largely ineffective, at harvest is too late, and during soil preparation may risk loss of nitrogen before uptake.

4. Soil pH Influence

   Why is maintaining soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 important for wheat nutrient management?

   1. It stops all pest infestations.
   2. It eliminates the need for irrigation.
   3. It increases soil salinity for better growth.
   4. It improves nutrient availability and uptake by wheat plants.

   Explanation: Soil pH in the 6.0–7.0 range ensures nutrients remain available and can be efficiently taken up by wheat. Proper pH does not eliminate pests, replace irrigation needs, or increase soil salinity, all of which are unrelated to optimal nutrient availability.

5. Micronutrient Importance

   Zinc deficiency in wheat typically results in which of the following symptoms?

   1. Stunted growth and narrow, light-colored stripes on younger leaves
   2. Orange spots on stems and nodes
   3. Purple leaf margins on older leaves
   4. Leaf curling and excessive tillering

   Explanation: Zinc deficiency in wheat leads to stunted growth and the appearance of pale stripes on young leaves. Purple leaf margins indicate phosphorus issues, leaf curling can be drought or virus-related, and orange spots are a symptom of rust disease rather than nutrient deficiency.