Read the following passage and answer the questions given below. Some words are highlighted to help you answer some of the questions. The nitrogen req...

Read the following passage and answer the questions given below. Some words are highlighted to help you answer some of the questions. The nitrogen requirements of cotton are well understood and have been extensively studied since 1887, with practical guides, decision support systems, models and recent reviews providing information on the importance of providing cotton crops with a sufficient supply of nutrients and improving nitrogen use efficiency. Given that the financial return to the grower depends on both the cotton quantity and quality and the growing importance of the latter, this review focuses specifically on information and knowledge about the effect of nitrogen application level on fiber quality. Although the United Nations has indicated that there will be a dramatic slowdown in population growth, it is still estimated that the world population will increase. However, despite this slowdown in population growth, the demand for food, fiber and fuel continues to grow. As the global agricultural and arable land has remained fairly stable, any increase in such demands needs to be met by either increasing the areas of land that may not be suitable for crop production or else by increasing yield, which can be achieved in a number of ways, including multiple cropping and reduced fallow periods, improved tillage and soil fertility. Due to the fact that most soils do not provide sufficient nitrogen for the economical production of fiber and seeds, the additional supplementation of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizers is the key input in maintaining productive, profitable, and sustainable cropping industries. It has been stated that, together with water, nitrogen is the single most important growth-limiting factor, excluding weather, for crops. A study conducted in 1990 showed that **pulling the plug **on nitrogen fertilizer usage would result in a slump in the yield of cotton by 37%. Nevertheless, as only a fraction of the nitrogen applied is taken up by the crop, there is a need to improve fertilizer use efficiency as excessive levels can result in substantial losses as well as potential environmental, ecological and health risks. In terms of fiber, despite the fact that cotton’s share of the global fiber market is decreasing, cotton still remains one of the most important textile fibers in the world, with its production and consumption picking up the threads. Cotton is a global commodity that is either grown or used in virtually every country in the world and is traded in the form of fiber, yarn, fabric, or finished goods. Cotton is sought after by consumers as it is a natural fiber with excellent comfort against the skin, moisture absorption, the soft hand feels and versatility.

Choose the most appropriate meaning of the phrase “picking up the threads”, as highlighted in the given passage.