Question

Growth factor necessary to produce yield that is 50% of the difference between maximum possible yield and yield before that unit was applied was given by ------
(A).Mitscherlich & Bray
(B).Mitscherlich & Baule
(C).Baule only
(D). Baule, Arnon & Bray
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

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

Hint:

The Baule unit represents a 50% yield increment.
- 1 Baule unit = 50% yield.
- 2 Baule units = 75% yield.
- 3 Baule units = 87.5% yield.
This logarithmic progression is a key concept in soil fertility exams.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The relationships governing crop yield response to nutrient additions are based on mathematical units of fertilizing efficiency.
One key concept is the "Baule unit," named after the German mathematician Bernhard Baule.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Mitscherlich's law of diminishing increments can be expressed using arbitrary mathematical units.
Bernhard Baule (1918) standardized these units to simplify yield predictions.
A Baule unit is defined as the quantity of a nutrient required to produce 50% of the maximum potential crop yield.
According to this concept:
- 1 Baule unit of a nutrient produces 50% of the maximum possible yield.
- 2 Baule units produce \( 50\% + (50\% \text{ of } 50\%) = 75\% \) of the maximum yield.
- 3 Baule units produce \( 75\% + (50\% \text{ of } 25\%) = 87.5\% \) of the maximum yield.
The amount of nutrient required to achieve 50% of the remaining yield increment is called a Baule unit.
Therefore, this mathematical relationship was formulated by Baule.
Comparing this with the choices:
- (C) is "Baule only."
Thus, the correct option is (C) only, corresponding to Option (B).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The growth factor concept described was proposed by Baule only.