Which crop is particularly suitable for drought-prone environments due to adaptability?

Which crop is particularly suitable for drought-prone environments due to adaptability?

• A. Corn
• B. Barley
• C. Sorghum
• D. Wheat

Answer: (C)

Drought tolerance and water use efficiency are the concepts being tested. Sorghum stands out in this regard because it is a C4 grass with high water-use efficiency, meaning it can fix carbon more effectively under hot, dry conditions and with less water than many other crops. It typically has a deep, extensive root system to access moisture deep in the soil, and many varieties carry stay-green traits that keep photosynthesis going during dry spells. It also tolerates high temperatures that often accompany drought, making it well adapted to semiarid and drought-prone regions where rainfall is erratic. Corn relies more heavily on adequate, timely rainfall; drought during critical growth stages can dramatically reduce yields. Barley and wheat are cool-season cereals that tolerate some drought but generally prefer more moderate moisture and cooler conditions, so they don’t perform as reliably under severe drought and heat as sorghum does. For those tough, low-precipitation environments, sorghum provides the best overall adaptability.

Drought tolerance and water use efficiency are the concepts being tested. Sorghum stands out in this regard because it is a C4 grass with high water-use efficiency, meaning it can fix carbon more effectively under hot, dry conditions and with less water than many other crops. It typically has a deep, extensive root system to access moisture deep in the soil, and many varieties carry stay-green traits that keep photosynthesis going during dry spells. It also tolerates high temperatures that often accompany drought, making it well adapted to semiarid and drought-prone regions where rainfall is erratic.

Corn relies more heavily on adequate, timely rainfall; drought during critical growth stages can dramatically reduce yields. Barley and wheat are cool-season cereals that tolerate some drought but generally prefer more moderate moisture and cooler conditions, so they don’t perform as reliably under severe drought and heat as sorghum does. For those tough, low-precipitation environments, sorghum provides the best overall adaptability.