Which one of the following is not a geographical requirement foe cultivation of cotton ?

Cotton is a tropical and sub-tropical crop that requires specific climatic conditions for successful cultivation. It thrives in warm climates with temperatures typically ranging between 21°C and 30°C [2]. It requires moderate to light rainfall, generally between 50 cm and 100 cm, or irrigation in drier regions [3]. Soil requirements include well-drained medium loam or the moisture-retentive black cotton soil of the Deccan Plateau [4]. However, the most critical requirement is a long frost-free period. While the question suggests 100 days, standard geographical requirements for cotton maturation are significantly higher, typically requiring at least 180 to 210 frost-free days [2]. A period of only 100 days is insufficient for the crop to mature, as it usually takes 6 to 8 months to reach harvest [2]. Therefore, option 4 is the incorrect geographical requirement.

Sources

1. [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 21: The Warm Temperate Eastern Margin (China Type) Climate > Economic Development > p. 204
2. [2] NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > TYPES OF FARMING > p. 87
3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Cotton (Gossypium spp.) > p. 39
4. [4] https://nfsm.gov.in/ReadyReckoner/CU4/CUIV_Package.pdf