The Late Sowing Challenge Quiz

Explore key concepts and practical implications of sowing time in agriculture, emphasizing late sowing scenarios and their impact on crop outcomes.

1. Impact of Delayed Sowing on Wheat

   When wheat is sown later than the recommended period, what is the most likely impact on yield?

   1. Yield doubles compared to normal sowing
   2. Yield increases because of better moisture availability
   3. Yield typically decreases due to reduced growing period
   4. No effect on yield regardless of sowing time

   Explanation: Late sowing usually shortens the wheat's growth period, exposing crops to terminal heat stress, resulting in lower yields. Yield cannot increase merely due to late sowing even if some moisture is present. Suggesting no effect or yield doubling is incorrect as timely sowing is crucial for optimal development.

2. Variety Selection for Late Sowing

   Farmers facing unavoidable late sowing should choose which type of crop variety?

   1. Early-maturing variety
   2. Randomly select any variety
   3. Late-maturing variety
   4. Perennial variety

   Explanation: Early-maturing varieties can complete their lifecycle within a shortened growing period, offering better yields under late sowing. Late-maturing or perennial types are unsuitable as they require more time, and random selection does not consider adaptation to shortened seasons.

3. Risk of Pest and Disease in Late Sowing

   How does late sowing generally affect pest and disease risks for crops?

   1. Late sowing ensures full pest resistance
   2. Risk is completely eliminated
   3. Risk may increase as crop growth coincides with higher pest populations
   4. Risk decreases since pests miss the crops

   Explanation: Late-sown crops may overlap with periods of higher pest activity, increasing vulnerability. Risk is not eliminated, full pest resistance is rarely achieved by timing alone, and pest pressure does not necessarily decrease due to late sowing.

4. Temperature Effects with Late Sowing

   What is a typical temperature-related consequence for crops sown after the optimal window?

   1. Crops may experience terminal heat during grain filling
   2. Crops remain unaffected by temperature changes
   3. Crops always avoid frost damage
   4. Photosynthesis is not affected at all

   Explanation: Late sowing can push sensitive stages like grain filling into hotter parts of the season, causing heat stress. It doesn't guarantee avoidance of frost, crops are affected by temperature changes, and photosynthesis can decline under heat stress.

5. Moisture Management under Late Sowing

   Which is a recommended moisture management strategy when sowing late in rainfed conditions?

   1. Irrigate fields daily regardless of rainfall
   2. Apply fertilizer only after harvest
   3. Ignore moisture considerations
   4. Conserve soil moisture through timely land preparation

   Explanation: Timely land preparation helps retain moisture, essential for late sowing. Daily irrigation is unrealistic for rainfed systems, ignoring moisture is counterproductive, and fertilizer application after harvest does not benefit the crop's moisture use.