Question

In many parts of England, the farmers began to grow turnip as:

(i) Turnip improved the soil and made it fertile

(ii) Turnip was a good fodder crop and relished by the cattle

(iii) This crop had the capacity to increase nitrogen content of the soil

(iv) Turnip became the staple food for the people

• A. (i), (ii), (iv) are correct, (iii) is incorrect
• B. (i), (iii), (iv) are correct, (ii) is incorrect
• C. (i), (ii), (iii) are correct, (iv) is incorrect
• D. All options are correct

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

(i), (ii), (iii) are correct, (iv) is incorrect

The European peasants had discovered that planting crops like clover and turnip improved the soil and made it more fertile. Turnip was a good fodder crop for cattle. These crops had the capacity to increase the nitrogen content of the soil. Nitrogen was important for crop growth. Cultivation of the same soil over a few years depleted the nitrogen in the soil and reduced its fertility. By restoring nitrogen, turnip and clover made the soil fertile once again