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UPSC Prelims 2010 · Agriculture · Crops and Where They Grow
Following are the characteristics of an area in India: 1. Hot and humid climate 2. Annual rainfall 200 cm 3. Hill slopes up to an altitude of 1100 metres 4. Annual range of temperature 15°C to 30°C. Which one among the following crops are you most likely to find in the area described above?
- (a) Mustard
- (b) Cotton
- (c) Pepper
- (d) Virginia tobacco
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Pepper
Black pepper grows as a vine on trees on humid hill slopes with ~200 cm rain — Kerala and Karnataka.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Mustard is a cool, dry-season crop of the north.
(b) Cotton needs less rain and black soil.
(d) Virginia tobacco needs light soil and a drier climate (Andhra).
The trap
None.
🔒 Pepper = “black gold”, Kerala and Karnataka; needs heavy rain + shade.
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