Spice Up with Sulphur Quiz Quiz

Discover key facts about the role of sulphur in cumin cultivation, including its impact on growth, yield, and soil fertility. Explore how proper nutrient management influences spice quality and agricultural sustainability.

1. Sulphur's Role in Cumin Nutrition

   Which specific plant function does sulphur mainly support in cumin crops leading to healthy growth and better yield?

   1. Pest resistance
   2. Root elongation
   3. Protein synthesis
   4. Water absorption

   Explanation: Sulphur is vital for protein synthesis in cumin, supporting growth and seed development. Root elongation depends more on phosphorus, water absorption on overall root health, and pest resistance is not directly influenced by sulphur. Thus, protein synthesis is the most accurate answer.

2. Sulphur Deficiency Symptoms

   What is a common visible symptom of sulphur deficiency in cumin plants during early growth stages?

   1. Purple spots on stems
   2. Curling of leaf edges
   3. Uniform yellowing of younger leaves
   4. Wilting of older leaves

   Explanation: Uniform yellowing of younger leaves is a classic sign of sulphur deficiency, as sulphur is less mobile in plants and appears in new tissue first. Wilting typically indicates water issues, purple spots often point to phosphorus deficiency, and curling is not a standard sulphur-deficiency sign.

3. Sulphur Application Timing

   In cumin farming, when is the most effective time to apply sulphur fertilizer for optimum benefit?

   1. Midway through harvest
   2. After flowering
   3. During seed drying
   4. At sowing or before planting

   Explanation: Applying sulphur at sowing or before planting allows roots to access this nutrient from early growth. Post-flowering or harvesting applications are too late to impact yield, and seed drying is after the active growing phase, making early application best.

4. Soil Sulphur and Cumin Yield

   How does insufficient sulphur in soil most directly affect cumin crop yield and quality?

   1. Reduces seed size and essential oil content
   2. Causes earlier harvest readiness
   3. Boosts root depth significantly
   4. Increases natural insect resistance

   Explanation: Sulphur deficiency leads to smaller cumin seeds and lower essential oil, reducing both yield and spice quality. Increased insect resistance and root depth are not direct effects of low sulphur, and sulphur deficiency does not cause earlier maturity.

5. Sulphur Management Methods

   Which method is commonly recommended for sustainable sulphur supply in cumin agriculture?

   1. Soil flooding before planting
   2. Use of elemental sulphur or sulphate-based fertilizers
   3. Only applying organic compost
   4. Frequent application of urea

   Explanation: Elemental sulphur or sulphate-based fertilizers supply sulphur efficiently to cumin. Urea provides nitrogen, not sulphur; soil flooding is irrelevant to sulphur management, and organic compost alone may not meet all sulphur requirements.