Rubber — An Equatorial Non-Food Crop
Rubber is an equatorial crop, but under special conditions it is also grown in tropical and sub-tropical areas. It requires:
- a moist and humid climate with rainfall of more than 200 cm, and
- a temperature above 25°C.
Rubber is an important industrial raw material. It is mainly grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
Fibre Crops and Cotton
Cotton, jute, hemp and natural silk are the four major fibre crops of India. The first three come from crops grown in the soil; natural silk is obtained from the cocoons of silkworms reared on green leaves (especially mulberry). The rearing of silkworms for silk is called sericulture.
Cotton: India is believed to be the original home of the cotton plant, and is the second largest producer of cotton after China. It is a main raw material for the cotton textile industry.
- It grows well in the drier parts of the black-cotton soil of the Deccan plateau, needing high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine.
- It is a kharif crop taking 6 to 8 months to mature. Major states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Jute — The Golden Fibre
Jute is known as the 'golden fibre'.
- It grows well on well-drained fertile soils in the flood plains where soils are renewed every year.
- It needs a high temperature during the time of growth.
- Major producing states: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Meghalaya.
Jute is used to make gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets and other artefacts. However, it is losing the market to synthetic fibres and packing materials, particularly nylon.
Exam tip: Remember — cotton likes drier black soil (Deccan); jute likes wet, renewed flood-plain soil (Bengal). This contrast is often asked.
Questions and Answers
Q1. State the geographical conditions required for the growth of rubber and its major producing states.
Answer: Rubber is an equatorial crop requiring a moist and humid climate with rainfall of more than 200 cm and a temperature above 25°C. An important industrial raw material, it is grown mainly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
Q2. Why is jute called the 'golden fibre'? State its growing conditions.
Answer: Jute is called the 'golden fibre' because of its golden shine and high value. It grows on well-drained fertile soils in the flood plains that are renewed every year, and needs a high temperature during growth. It is grown mainly in West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Meghalaya.
Q3. Describe the conditions required for growing cotton.
Answer: Cotton grows well in the drier parts of the black-cotton soil of the Deccan plateau. It requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine. It is a kharif crop taking 6 to 8 months to mature, and India is the second largest producer after China.
Q4. What is sericulture?
Answer: Sericulture is the rearing of silkworms for the production of silk fibre. The silkworms are fed on green leaves, especially mulberry, and natural silk is obtained from their cocoons.