Question

Which fruit plant is suitable for the arid conditions?

• A. Ber
• B. Guava
• C. Papaya
• D. Banana

Hint:

Associate crops with their climatic zones. Ber and Date Palm are classic examples of arid zone fruits. Banana and Coconut are tropical, high-rainfall crops. Apple and Plum are temperate zone crops. This mental mapping is very useful.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the fruit plant from the given options that is best adapted to grow in arid (dry) conditions, characterized by low rainfall and high temperatures.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's assess the water requirements of each plant:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana), also known as Indian jujube, is a highly drought-tolerant fruit crop. It has a deep taproot system and other xerophytic adaptations that allow it to survive and produce fruit in arid and semi-arid regions with very little water. } \\ \bullet & \text{Guava (Psidium guajava) is relatively drought-tolerant once established but requires irrigation for commercial fruit production. It is not as hardy as Ber in truly arid conditions. } \\ \bullet & \text{Papaya (Carica papaya) requires regular and consistent watering to produce well. It is not tolerant of drought. } \\ \bullet & \text{Banana (Musa spp.) is a tropical plant with very high water requirements and is completely unsuitable for arid conditions without extensive irrigation. } \\ \end{array}\] Among the given options, Ber is exceptionally well-suited for arid conditions.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The most suitable fruit plant for arid conditions is Ber.