Question

Which one of the following is not a rabi crop?
A. Mustard
B. Pea
C. Rice
D. Wheat

Answer 1

Hint: Crops in India are sown from July to June every year. This period can be divided into two cropping seasons called the Kharif and the Rabi. Kharif season is from July to October. The crops sown in this season require heavy rainfall that is obtained in these months during the monsoons. Rabi crops, however, get spoiled with an excess of winter rains. These crops are sown in October and November and harvested by March

Complete answer:
Mustard: Incorrect answer
Mustard is a rabi crop that is widely grown in India. The yellow varieties are mostly grown in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, etc. Different varieties of mustard can be grown on different soil types. Hence the soil requirement for these crops is flexible.

Pea: Incorrect answer
Pea is a rabi crop. However, it can be cultivated in both seasons. These are harvested early as they ripen early. They are available in the market from as early as January. It is cultivated in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, and Bihar. They hold nutritional value as they are not only a rich source of protein for humans but also used as fodder for livestock.

Rice: Correct answer
Rice is the most important Kharif crop in India. It is widely consumed all over the world. Rice farming requires a lot of water and is labor-intensive. It is grown in most of the states in India. In some states, the crop is grown twice a year.

Wheat: Incorrect answer
Wheat is the most important rabi crop grown in India. For wheat plants to grow it requires moist and cool weather. But it can be grown under diverse climatic conditions. It is a min cereal crop in India that covers around 29.8 million hectares in the country.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Crops grown in the rabi season remain largely unaffected by the monsoons. However, rains in winter may incur losses. These crops require a warm climate for seed germination but comparatively cooler climates for their growth.