Explore key principles and best practices for irrigating mustard crops to maximize yield and resource use efficiency. Challenge your understanding of irrigation timing, techniques, and environmental considerations.
At which critical growth stage does mustard typically have the highest water requirement for irrigation?
Explanation: The flowering stage is most sensitive to water stress in mustard as it affects pod and seed development. While the seedling stage requires moisture for establishment, the demand is not as high as during flowering. Pod maturity requires less water, and pre-sowing involves land preparation rather than crop-specific demand.
Which simple method can a farmer use in the field to check if mustard requires irrigation?
Explanation: The feel and appearance method involves squeezing soil to assess moisture and is practical for farmers. Colorimetric assays and stomatal conductance meters are technical and not commonly available on farms. Satellite imagery provides large-scale data but lacks precision for small fields.
Which irrigation technique is most effective for reducing water wastage when growing mustard on small farms?
Explanation: Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone, minimizing loss. Surface flooding and border strip methods are less efficient, leading to runoff and evaporation. Rain gun systems disperse water over large areas and can be wasteful in small plots.
If a farmer notices yellowing lower leaves during dry weather, what should they check before irrigating their mustard crop?
Explanation: Checking soil moisture helps determine if yellowing is due to drought stress. Air temperature alone does not confirm soil conditions, fertilizers address nutrients not water, and seed quality is unrelated to established crop symptoms.
Why does irrigating mustard during windy days often reduce efficiency?
Explanation: Wind increases evaporation, reducing the amount of water available to mustard roots. Improved soil aeration and enhanced nutrient uptake are not direct outcomes of irrigating during windy periods, and lower disease resistance is unrelated in this context.