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Consider the following plants:

  1. Groundnut
  2. Horse-gram
  3. Soybean
How many of the above belong to the pea family?
  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None

Explanation

Groundnut is correct
  • The pea family, also known as the Fabaceae or Leguminosae family, includes a wide variety of plants commonly referred to as legumes. Legumes are vital sources of protein and nitrogen fixation in soil. Groundnuts, also known as peanuts, are members of the Fabaceae family, which is commonly referred to as the pea family or legume family.

Additional Information

  • India is the second largest producer of groundnuts behind China.
  • Major growing states are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Groundnut is believed to have originated in South America, from where the cultivation of groundnut spread to Brazil, southern Bolivia and North-western Argentina. It is reported to have been introduced by the Portuguese from Brazil to West Africa and then to South-western India in the 16th century.
  • It is a tropical crop that requires 20°-30°C temperature and 50-75 cm rainfall.
  • Isohyet of 100 cm marks the upper limit for groundnut cultivation.
  • It is largely a rainfed kharif crop of drylands.
  • But in southern India, it is cultivated during the rabi season as well.
  • It is highly susceptible to frost, prolonged drought, continuous rain & stagnant water.
  • A dry winter is needed at the time of ripening.
  • Well-drained sandy loams, red, yellow and black cotton soils are well-suited.
Horse-gram is correct
  • Horse-gram belongs to the pea family (Fabaceae).

Additional Information

  • It is mainly cultivated in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, M.P., Chhattisgarh, Bihar, W.B., Jharkhand, and in foot hills of Uttarakhand and H.P., in India.
  • Archaeological evidence suggests that horse gram has been consumed in India since 2000 BC, making it a culinary heritage with a deep-rooted history.
  • Horsegram is an extremely drought-resistant crop. Moderately warm, dry climatic conditions are suitable for its optimum growth.
  • Horse gram has antioxidant and osmolyte biosynthesis qualities which makes it a sturdy crop to thrive in extreme heat and long periods of drought.
  • It does not grow well on higher altitudes because of cool and wet climate.
  • The temperature range of 25-30°C and relative humidity between 50 and 80% is optimum for its growth.
  • A well-distributed rainfall of about 800 mm is sufficient for its successful cultivation, but it performs well even in low rainfall areas.
Soybean is correct
  • Soybean belongs to the pea family (Fabaceae).

Additional Information

  • The major soybean-producing states in India include Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Telangana. Soybeans originated in China and were introduced to India centuries ago through the Himalayan routes, and also brought in via Burma (now Myanmar) by traders from Indonesia.
  • The crop is grown under warm conditions in the tropics, subtropics and temperate climates. Soybean is relatively resistant to low and very high temperatures but growth rates decrease above 35°C and below 18°C.
  • Soyabean needs about 15 to 32 degree C temperature for germination but for rapid growth the crop needs higher temperature.
  • The best soil type is sandy loam having good organic matter content.
Answer: (c) All three: Difficulty Level: Easy
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