Which of the following is a drought-dormancy strategy?

• A. Fertilize when growth resumes
• B. Fertilize during drought
• C. Fertilize during dormancy
• D. Do not fertilize

Answer: (A)

During drought or dormancy, plants slow down growth and root activity, so their ability to take up nutrients is limited. Fertilizer adds nutrients, but if the plant isn’t actively growing, those nutrients won’t be used efficiently and can even cause salt stress in dry soil. Waiting to fertilize until growth resumes aligns nutrient availability with the plant’s uptake capacity, helping roots absorb the nutrients where they’re truly needed and supporting a strong comeback as conditions improve. Fertilizing during drought or while dormant wastes resources and can be ineffective, and not fertilizing at all misses an opportunity to boost recovery once active growth returns.