Question

Arrange the following crops on the basis of their yield (q/ha) in the ascending order:
(A) Sorghum
(B) Soyabean
(C) Rice
(D) Urdbean

• A. (B), (A), (C), (D)
• B. (B), (A), (D), (C)
• C. (D), (B), (A), (C)
• D. (D), (B), (C), (A)

Hint:

In terms of national average crop productivity in India:
\[ \text{Pulses (Lowest)} < \text{Oilseeds} < \text{Coarse Cereals} < \text{Wheat/Rice (Highest)} \]
This general hierarchy helps resolve yield ranking questions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Crop yield or productivity (typically measured in quintals per hectare, q/ha) varies across different crop groups based on their photosynthetic pathways (\(\text{C}_3\) vs. \(\text{C}_4\)), breeding improvements, cultivation practices, and irrigation availability.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the average productivity levels of the given crops in India:
Urdbean (Blackgram) (D): As a pulse crop primarily grown in rainfed conditions with minimal input, its average productivity is low, typically ranging between \( 6 \text{ to } 9 \text{ q/ha} \). This is the lowest among the four crops.
Soyabean (B): This leguminous oilseed crop has a slightly higher average productivity than pulses, generally yielding \( 10 \text{ to } 12 \text{ q/ha} \) at the national level.
Sorghum (A): As a \(\text{C}_4\) coarse cereal crop, sorghum has high photosynthetic efficiency. Under typical Indian farming conditions, its average yield ranges from \( 11 \text{ to } 15 \text{ q/ha} \), which is higher than most pulses and oilseeds.
Rice (C): As a major food grain cultivated primarily under assured irrigation with intensive fertilizer inputs, rice has a significantly higher average yield, typically ranging from \( 25 \text{ to } 28 \text{ q/ha} \).
Arranging these crops in ascending order of yield:
\[ \text{Urdbean (D)} < \text{Soyabean (B)} < \text{Sorghum (A)} < \text{Rice (C)} \]
This yields the sequence: (D), (B), (A), (C), which corresponds to Option (C).

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct ascending order based on average crop yield is (D), (B), (A), (C).