QUESTION

Hard

Environment & Ecology

Prelims 2022

Which of the following are nitrogen-fixing plants?

  1. Alfalfa
  2. Amaranth
  3. Chickpea
  4. Clover
  5. Purslane (Kulfa)
  6. Spinach

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Out of the listed plants, the following are nitrogen-fixing plants:

  1. Alfalfa
  2. Chickpea
  3. Clover These plants have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria called rhizobia. The bacteria colonize nodules in the plant's roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form (nitrates) that the plant can absorb.
Nitrogen Fixation

Nitrogen Fixation

The other options are not nitrogen-fixing plants: 2. Amaranth 5. Purslane (Kulfa) 6. Spinach These plants require nitrogen from the soil but cannot fix it themselves. They rely on soil nitrogen content or applied fertilizers. Remember: Purslane is a weed. If you would have known this piece of information, the question could have been easily solved by simple elimination.

Therefore, the correct answer is (1, 3, 4).

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