Question

Match List I with List II
List I (Vegetable Crop):
A. Brinjal
B. Cauliflower
C. Onion
D. Palak

List II (Minimim soil temperature requirement for seed germination):
I. 1.6 $^\circ$C
II. 10 $^\circ$C
III. 4.4 $^\circ$C
IV. 15.5 $^\circ$C

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A - II, B - I, C - III, D - IV
• B. A - IV, B - III, C - I, D - II
• C. A - IV, B - II, C - III, D - I
• D. A - II, B - III, C - IV, D - I

Hint:

Cold-hardy crops like palak can germinate at low soil temperatures ($1.6^\circ\text{C}$).
Warm-season crops like brinjal require much warmer soil temperatures ($15.5^\circ\text{C}$) to initiate germination.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Seed germination is a temperature-dependent physiological process.
Different vegetable crops have distinct minimum, optimum, and maximum soil temperature requirements based on their evolutionary adaptations to warm or cool seasons.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us match the vegetable crops in List I with their minimum soil temperature requirement for seed germination in List II:
1. Brinjal (A): A warm-season crop that is sensitive to cold. It requires a relatively warm soil temperature to germinate. Its minimum threshold is 15.5 $^\circ$C. Thus, A matches with IV.
2. Cauliflower (B): A cool-season cole crop that can germinate in cooler soils. The minimum soil temperature required is 10 $^\circ$C. Thus, B matches with II.
3. Onion (C): A cool-season bulb crop that is hardy and can germinate at lower temperatures than most summer vegetables. Its minimum soil temperature threshold is 4.4 $^\circ$C. Thus, C matches with III.
4. Palak (Spinach Beet) (D): A highly cold-tolerant leafy green. It can germinate in cold winter soils, with seeds sprouting at temperatures as low as 1.6 $^\circ$C. Thus, D matches with I.
Combining these matches gives: A - IV, B - II, C - III, D - I.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct matching sequence is A - IV, B - II, C - III, D - I, which corresponds to Option (C).