Find out the correct one from the following statements
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For crops with epigeal germination (like castor or cotton), maintaining soil moisture or light tillage to break up soil crusts is critical to ensure uniform crop establishment.
In castor, varieties with high waxy bloom are more resistant to mites.
Castor is a long-day plant (LDP).
Warmer temperature during flowering promotes more female flower and cooler temperature promotes more male flower.
The germination of castor is epigeal type, so more problem of germination in crusted soil.
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The Correct Option isD
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Castor (Ricinus communis) is a major oilseed crop.
Its germination type, photoperiodic response, and environmental sex-expression have specific agronomic consequences. Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate the statements:
1. Bloom (A): Heavy waxy bloom on castor stems and leaves provides mechanical resistance against leafhoppers (jassids), but does not offer protection against mites. Thus, (A) is incorrect.
2. Photoperiod (B): Castor is classified as a day-neutral plant (DNP), not a long-day plant. Thus, (B) is incorrect.
3. Sex Expression (C): In castor, cooler temperatures and high soil moisture promote female (pistillate) flowers, whereas warmer temperatures and low soil moisture promote male (staminate) flowers. Thus, (C) is incorrect.
4. Germination (D): Castor exhibits epigeal germination, where the hypocotyl elongates and pushes the cotyledons above the soil surface.
If the soil surface forms a hard dry crust, the emerging cotyledons cannot break through, resulting in poor seedling emergence. Thus, (D) is correct. Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct option is 4, which corresponds to statement (D).
