Challenge your knowledge of growth regulators and promoter applications in cumin cultivation, with a focus on plant physiology and best agricultural practices. Explore how these substances impact yield, quality, and resilience in cumin production.
Which effect is most commonly observed in cumin plants when gibberellic acid (GA3) is applied during early vegetative growth?
Explanation: Gibberellic acid is a well-known plant growth regulator that promotes stem elongation and boosts vegetative growth in many crops, including cumin. It does not directly reduce disease incidence. While GA3 can influence flowering, it generally promotes rather than delays it in most cases. It also enhances, not suppresses, seed germination.
How do cytokinins typically influence cumin plants when sprayed at the pre-flowering stage?
Explanation: Cytokinins encourage cell division and shoot formation, often resulting in more branching and improved pod formation. They do not cause premature aging (senescence); in fact, they delay it. Root inhibition is more commonly linked to auxin imbalances, and cytokinins generally have no direct role in reducing essential oil content.
What is a key consideration when applying auxins as plant growth regulators in cumin fields?
Explanation: For auxins, timing and dosage are crucial because excessive application or mistimed use can lead to undesirable effects, such as lodging or distorted growth. Applying at any stage does not guarantee yield improvement, and specific temperature requirements for absorption are not universal. There is no established practice of mixing auxins with insecticides for effectiveness.
What is one scientifically supported benefit of applying salicylic acid as a plant growth promoter in cumin cultivation?
Explanation: Salicylic acid is known to enhance stress tolerance in plants, helping cumin better withstand drought conditions. It does not suppress chlorophyll formation nor cause higher pest infestation. There is no evidence of it delaying seed maturation under standard agricultural conditions.
If ethephon (an ethylene-releasing compound) is applied to a cumin crop close to harvest, what is a likely plant response?
Explanation: Ethylene promotes fruit maturation and senescence, so applying ethephon can hasten seed ripening and facilitate harvest. It does not typically cause stunted vegetative growth when used at the right time. It does not delay the germination of next season's seeds or significantly alter disease resistance in cumin.