Tea cultivation requires:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → warm and moist frost-free climate.
Tea is a plantation crop grown on the slopes of Assam, the Darjeeling hills, the Nilgiris and Kerala. The bush grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates and needs a warm and moist, frost-free climate all through the year, with frequent, evenly spread showers so that tender leaves keep sprouting. Frost damages the leaves, which is why tea is grown only where it does not occur.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (2) a cool growing season and bright sunshine at ripening. — Incorrect. These are the needs of wheat, a rabi crop, not of an evergreen bush like tea.
Option (3) high temperature above 25°C and high humidity. — Incorrect. This describes crops such as rice (and jute), grown in hot, wet lowlands rather than on hill slopes.
Option (4) hot and humid climate. — Incorrect. A general description that leaves out the deciding need, freedom from frost, and fits many tropical crops.