Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?
A
Sugarcane
B
Sunflower
C
Pearl millet
D
Red gram
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation
1. The question asks to identify the least water-efficient crop among the given options. This means the crop requires the most water to produce a unit of yield or sustain its growth.
2. Sugarcane (A) is known to be highly water-intensive. It has a long growing season and requires substantial amounts of water throughout its lifecycle, making it one of the least water-efficient major crops.
3. Sunflower (B) requires moderate amounts of water, particularly during flowering, but is generally less water-intensive than sugarcane.
4. Pearl millet (C) (Bajra) is known for its high drought tolerance and low water requirement. It is considered a very water-efficient crop, suitable for arid and semi-arid regions.
5. Red gram (D) (Arhar/Tur) is a pulse crop that is relatively drought-tolerant compared to sugarcane.
Comparing the options, Sugarcane has the highest water requirement and is therefore the least water-efficient.