Crop and Environment MCQs with Answers
Multiple Choice Questions for Professional Tests
[Seed Science MCQs ] [Botany MCQs ] [Plant Physiology MCQs] [Botany MCQs]
[Horticulture MCQs] [Soil Physical Properties MCQs] [Soil Chemical Properties MCQs] [Soil Organic Matter MCQs][Fundamentals of Plant Nutrition MCQs] [Soil Science MCQs]
[Cell Structure & Cell Organelles MCQs] [Gene Expression MCQs][Biology MCQs]
| [Test 1] | [Test 2] | [Test 3] | [Test 4] |
| [Test 5] | [Test 6] | [Test 7] | [Test 8] |
| [Test 9] | [Test 10] |
[Test 11]
|
[Test 12]
|
Note: These tests are for preparation purposes only. Choices may differ depending on the scientific material consulted. Return to [MCQ Homepage]
| [Test 13] | [Test 14] | [Test 15] | [Test 16] |
| [Test 17] | [Test 18] | [Test 19] | [Test 20] |
Other Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) Tests for Professional Exam Preparation
Return to [MCQ Homepage] Crop and Environment MCQs with answers, Crop Growth and Climate MCQs for competitive exams, Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum, Thermal Time in Crops, plant environment interaction MCQs
Why is the environment important for crop production?
The environment plays a vital role in plant performance, as it dictates crop production, including plant growth and development. Moreover, plant processes rely directly on environmental factors, e.g., climate, weather (solar radiation, temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, wind, etc.), air, water, soil health, soil physical and chemical properties, and soil nutrients. These environmental factors determine the fate of a plant in a specific area, including whether it can grow, withstand stress, and produce high yields.
What are the major environmental factors affecting crop growth?
The major environmental factors affecting crop growth can be grouped into abiotic and biotic factors.
Abiotic Factors: The following are abiotic factors that influence plants
• Weather and Climate (light, temperature, rainfall and humidity, etc.)
• Soil conditions: Soil physical properties (soil texture, structure, color, etc), Soil chemical properties (Soil pH, cation exchange capacity, soil organic matter, overall soil fertility),
• Water availability and quality
Biotic Factors: Biotic factors influencing plant performance include insects, pests, diseases, pollinators, decomposers, beneficial microorganisms, and competing plants (weeds).
What are the major abiotic (non-living) factors affecting crop growth?
Major abiotic (non-living) factors affecting crop growth are given below
Solar radiation or Light: Solar radiation is the primary source of energy for plants. Its intensity, quality (wavelength), and duration (photoperiod or day length) regulate photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, photoperiodism, and flowering. Light also influences plant architecture, including stem elongation, leaf size and orientation, chlorophyll synthesis, biomass accumulation, and ultimately crop growth, development, yield, and quality.
Temperature: Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors regulating plant growth and development. It influences plant processes throughout their life cycle, e.g., seed germination, enzymatic activity, photosynthesis, respiration, vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting, and crop maturity. Every crop has minimum, optimum, and maximum (cardinal) temperatures that determine its adaptation, sowing window, geographic distribution, and productivity. Temperatures beyond these cardinal limits not only inhibit physiological processes but also reduce growth and may cause irreversible injury or plant death.
Water (Rainfall): Water is an essential environmental factor for plant growth and survival. Water serves as a raw material for photosynthesis, a solvent for nutrient uptake and transport, and a regulator of cell expansion, turgor, and numerous metabolic processes. Water availability through rainfall, irrigation, and soil moisture largely determines crop establishment, growth, productivity, and geographic distribution. Both water deficit (drought) and excess water (waterlogging or flooding) adversely affect plant growth by impairing photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, root respiration, and physiological functions, ultimately reducing crop yield and quality.
Plant Classification Based on Water Availability
Plants are classified according to their adaptation to water availability into three main groups:
| Plant Type | Adaptation | Characteristics | Examples |
| Xerophytes
X = eXtreme dry habitats |
Dry or arid environments | Thick cuticles, reduced leaves, sunken stomata, and deep root systems are the key adaptations to conserve moisture | Cactus (Opuntia) Agave (Agave americana) Aloe (Aloe vera) Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) Acacia (Acacia spp.) |
| Mesophytes
Meso = Medium moisture |
Moderate water availability
Widely cultivated terrestrial crop plants |
Grow under watered conditions with average soil moisture Lack specialized drought or flood adaptations. |
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Maize (Zea mays), Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Soybean (Glycine max) Mango (Mangifera indica) Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) |
| Hydrophytes Hydro = Water-loving plants |
Aquatic or waterlogged environments
They grow in ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. |
Adapted to live partially or completely in water Possess extensive air spaces (aerenchyma) Reduced root systems Flexible stems |
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Water lily (Nymphaea spp.) Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) Duckweed (Lemna minor) Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) |
Why Can Rice Be Cultivated Under Both Flooded and Non-Flooded Conditions?
Rice (Oryza sativa) is commonly classified as a semi-aquatic hydrophyte because it is typically cultivated in waterlogged or flooded soils. Unlike true aquatic hydrophytes that remain submerged or float on water throughout their life cycle, rice is a transitional species capable of growing under both flooded and well-drained, moist soil conditions. However, prolonged or complete submergence can impair photosynthesis, respiration, growth, and development, leading to reduced yield.
Rice thrives in flooded fields because it develops specialized air-filled tissues known as aerenchyma. These specialized tissues transport oxygen from the shoots to the roots, allowing root respiration under oxygen-deficient (anaerobic) soil conditions. When grown in non-flooded, well-aerated soils, rice roots obtain oxygen directly from the soil and efficiently absorb water and nutrients. This dual adaptation enables rice to be cultivated successfully under both irrigated lowland and upland production systems, though optimum growth is dependent on varietal characteristics and environmental conditions.
What are biotic factors affecting plants?
Biotic factors are the living components of the environment that influence plant growth, development, reproduction, and productivity through beneficial, harmful, or neutral interactions.
Major Biotic Factors Affecting Plants
| Biotic Factor | Effect on Plants | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Weeds These are plants growing in a place where they are not wanted |
Compete for natural resources like light, water, nutrients, and space, reducing crop growth and yield. | Chenopodium album, Cyperus rotundus, Parthenium hysterophorus |
| Insect Pests These are insect species that damage crops |
Feed on leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruits, causing direct damage and transmitting diseases. | Aphids, Jasid, whitefly, stem borers, armyworms |
| Plant Pathogens These are living organisms (mostly microorganisms), that infect plants and cause disease |
Cause diseases that impair growth, reduce yield, and lower crop quality. | Fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes |
| Herbivores These are organisms that feed mostly on plants |
Consume plant tissues, reducing biomass and productivity. | Cattle, goats, deer, rabbits |
| Parasitic Plants Plants that obtain water and nutrients from host plants through specialized feeding structures Hemiparasites, Holoparasites, |
Extract water and nutrients from host plants, weakening their growth. They have haustoria, specialized feeding structures that penetrate the host’s root or stem tissues |
Dodder (Cuscuta species) Witchweed (Striga species) Striga, Orobanche |
| Beneficial Microorganisms They form a natural living network in the soil that boosts plant health |
Improve nutrient availability Phosphorus solubilization Biological nitrogen fixation Plant growth promotion Disease Suppression Stress tolerance Bioremediation |
Rhizobium Mycorrhizal fungi Actinomycetes Trichoderma Azospirillum Pseudomonas |
| Pollinators Organisms that transfer pollen from one flower to another |
Facilitate pollination, increasing fruit and seed production. | Bees, butterflies, moths, flies, bats and hummingbirds |
| Natural Enemies | Reduce pest populations through predation or parasitism. | Ladybird beetles, lacewings, parasitic wasps |
| Decomposers Any organism that recycles dead plants, animals, or waste back into simple nutrients for the soil |
Break down organic matter and recycle nutrients into the soil.
Detrivores: Ingestion of dead organic matter (detritus) followed by internal digestion, i.e., inside the body, Saprotrophs: Extracellular digestion, i.e., outside the body; chemically decompose complex organic compounds into simple nutrients. |
Detrivores: Earthworms, dung beetles, millipedes Saprotrophs: Fungi (Rhizopus, mushrooms, bread mold), bacteria (Bacillus, Pseudomonas) |
| Humans | Influence plant growth through cultivation, irrigation, fertilization, breeding, and pest management. | Farmers and agricultural practices |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Professional Test Preparation
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are an effective and evidence-based method for assessing knowledge and strengthening exam readiness. These expert-reviewed MCQs comprehensively cover core concepts in agriculture, crop science, environmental aspects of crop production, production technologies, Crop and Environment MCQs with answers, Crop Growth and Climate MCQs for competitive exams, Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum, Thermal Time in Crops, plant environment interaction MCQs.
Return to [MCQ Homepage]
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Multiple Competitive Testing Services
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are a proven and effective method for assessing knowledge, strengthening conceptual clarity, and enhancing performance in competitive examinations. These expert-reviewed MCQs comprehensively cover key disciplines including Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, Entomology, Environmental Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Forestry, General Biology, Botany, Zoology, and General Knowledge. Specialized coverage is also provided in Seed Science, Seed Physiology, Dormancy, Seed Testing, and Seed Development.
This collection is designed to support candidates preparing for a wide range of competitive and recruitment examinations, including NTS, OTS, ETEA, FPSC, Provincial Public Service Commissions (PPSC, SPSC, BPSC, KPPSC), UPSC, IAS, ICAR, ASRB, Civil Services Examinations, State Public Service Commissions (e.g., TNPSC, UPPSC), Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC), PhD Entrance and Admission Tests, GAT Subject Test, GRE Subject, Departmental Tests, and recruitment examinations for Agriculture Officers, Seed Scientists, Scientific Officers, Agricultural Universities, Research Institutes, PHA, and ZTBL.
Crop and Environment, Crop and Environment MCQs with answers, Crop Growth and Climate MCQs for competitive exams, Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum, Thermal Time in Crops, plant environment interaction MCQs
Crop and Environment
Crop and Environment refers to the dynamic interaction between crop plants and the surrounding abiotic (temperature, radiation, water, wind, soil) and biotic factors that influence growth, development, and productivity. It emphasizes how environmental conditions regulate physiological processes and determine yield potential.
Crop Growth and Climate
Crop Growth and Climate describes the influence of climatic elements—such as temperature, solar radiation, rainfall, humidity, and wind—on plant development, biomass accumulation, phenology, and yield formation. It focuses on long-term climate patterns and their impact on cropping systems.
Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum (SPAC)
The Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum (SPAC) is the continuous pathway through which water moves from soil, through plant roots and vascular tissues, to the atmosphere via transpiration. Water flow occurs along a gradient of decreasing water potential, linking soil moisture, plant physiology, and atmospheric demand.
Thermal Time in Crops
Thermal Time is a measure of crop development based on accumulated heat units rather than calendar days. It is commonly expressed as Growing Degree Days (GDD) and represents the cumulative temperature above a base threshold required for a crop to reach specific growth stages.
Light and Plant Growth
Light and Plant Growth refers to the role of light intensity, quality (wavelength), and duration (photoperiod) in regulating photosynthesis, morphogenesis, and phenology. Light influences both energy-driven processes (carbon fixation) and signal-driven processes (flowering, stem elongation, canopy architecture).
Crop Phenology
Crop Phenology is the study of the timing of developmental stages in crops—such as germination, flowering, and maturity—in response to environmental cues, particularly temperature and photoperiod. It is essential for predicting growth stages, yield potential, and climate adaptation strategies.
Plant Metabolism
Plant metabolism encompasses the biochemical processes in plants that convert energy and matter for growth, reproduction, and adaptation. These include primary pathways like photosynthesis and respiration, plus secondary ones producing defensive compounds.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process where plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen in chloroplasts. It powers nearly all life on Earth by converting light energy into chemical energy.
Vapor Pressure Deficit
Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) measures the difference between moisture air holds and what it could hold at a given temperature. High VPD drives transpiration, affecting water use and crop stress in agriculture.
Phenology
Phenology studies recurring plant life cycle phases, like budding or flowering, driven by climate cues. It predicts crop timing and responses to environmental changes.
Irrigation Scheduling
Irrigation scheduling determines optimal water application timing and amounts based on crop needs, soil moisture, and weather. It maximizes yield while conserving water through methods like evapotranspiration monitoring.
Growing Degree Days
Growing degree days (GDD) quantify heat accumulation above a crop’s base temperature to track development stages. It’s calculated as daily average temperature minus base temperature, summed over time.
Base Temperature of Crop
Base temperature is the lowest threshold where a crop’s metabolic processes begin, typically 0-15°C depending on species. Below it, growth halts; common values include 10°C for wheat and 15°C for cotton.
Crop Water Requirement (CWR)
Crop Water Requirement is the total quantity of water needed by a crop to complete its life cycle under specific climatic conditions, expressed as the amount required to meet evapotranspiration demand (ETc) without causing water stress, assuming optimal growth conditions.
Crop and Environment MCQs with answers, Crop Growth and Climate MCQs for competitive exams, Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum, Thermal Time in Crops, plant environment interaction MCQs
Agroclimatology
Agroclimatology is the branch of agricultural science that studies the interaction between climatic variables (temperature, radiation, rainfall, humidity, wind) and crop production, with emphasis on their influence on growth, development, yield, and spatial–temporal suitability of cropping systems.
Crop–Environment Interaction
Crop–Environment Interaction refers to the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between crop genetic potential and environmental factors, whereby environmental conditions regulate physiological processes, phenology, and yield expression, often manifested as genotype × environment (G×E) responses.
Photoperiodism
Photoperiodism is the physiological response of plants to the relative duration of light and darkness within a 24-hour cycle, regulating developmental processes such as flowering, dormancy, and tuberization through light-sensitive signaling pathways.
Phytochrome System
The Phytochrome System is a photoreversible pigment-based signaling mechanism in plants that detects red (≈660 nm) and far-red (≈730 nm) radiation. It regulates seed germination, shade avoidance, flowering, and other developmental responses by switching between its biologically active and inactive forms.
Light Compensation Point
The Light Compensation Point is the irradiance level at which the rate of photosynthetic carbon fixation exactly equals the rate of respiratory carbon loss, resulting in zero net carbon gain.
Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum
What are biotic factors affecting plants?
In case of any suggestion or correction, feel free to contact us at editor.jeas@outlook.com or Whatsapp: +92-333-6304269 wa.link/8lxt3f