Chromatography & Spectroscopic Techniques

• Wrapper Tobacco (Option 3): Cigar wrapper tobacco leaves must be ultra-thin, silky, elastic, light in color, and mild with low nicotine content. Topping stimulates secondary leaf thickening and nicotine synthesis, so wrapper tobacco plants are left untopped (or topped very late/high) and de-suckering is avoided to keep leaves fine and tender.
• Chewing Tobacco (Option 1): Requires thick, coarse, leathery, dark leaves with high nicotine and gums; severe low topping and rigorous de-suckering are mandatory.
• Cigar Filler & Binder (Option 2): Topped to promote moderate body and nicotine development.
• Bidi Tobacco (Option 4): Topped strictly at 12–14 leaves followed by repeated de-suckering to maximize leaf thickness, spangle development, and high nicotine. (Correct answer: Option 3)

• State-wise Fertilizer Consumption Intensity (2021-22): Fertilizer consumption in terms of kg of $N + P_2O_5 + K_2O$ per hectare of gross cropped area varies widely across Indian states based on irrigation coverage and crop intensity.
• Increasing Order: Gujarat (~140–150 kg/ha) < Maharashtra (~155–165 kg/ha) < Haryana (~210–225 kg/ha) < Andhra Pradesh (~235–245 kg/ha) < Telangana (~250–260 kg/ha).
• Conclusion: The correct sequence in increasing order of NPK consumption is Gujarat < Maharashtra < Haryana < Andhra Pradesh < Telangana. (Correct answer: Option 2)

• Formula: Weed Control Efficiency (WCE) evaluates the effectiveness of weed management treatments relative to an untreated weedy check:

$$\text{WCE} (\%) = \frac{W_c - W_t}{W_c} \times 100$$

where $W_c$ is the weed count/density in the control plot, and $W_t$ is the weed count/density in the treated plot.

• Given Values: Control plot weed density ($W_c$) = $50\text{ weeds/m}^2$; Herbicide treated plot weed density ($W_t$) = $35\text{ weeds/m}^2$.
• Calculation:

$$\text{WCE} = \frac{50 - 35}{50} \times 100 = \frac{15}{50} \times 100 = 30.0\%$$

• Conclusion: Weed control efficiency is 30.0%. (Correct answer: Option 1)