Energy crops for ethanol — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2010
Given below are the names of four energy crops. Which one of them can be cultivated for ethanol?
- Jatropha
- Maize
- Pongamia
- Sunflower
Explanation
Option (b) is correct
- Ethanol is produced through the fermentation of sugars or starches. Maize is rich in starch and is widely used as a feedstock for ethanol production, particularly in countries such as the United States and increasingly in India. Jatropha and Pongamia are oilseed crops used for biodiesel production, not ethanol. Sunflower is also an oilseed crop primarily used for edible oil and biodiesel.
Answer: (b) Maize
