Makhana, the fox nut grown in the ponds of Bihar, is the seed of which plant?
- A.Nelumbo nucifera
- B.Euryale ferox
- C.Trapa natans
- D.Eichhornia crassipes
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, Euryale ferox. Makhana is the seed of Euryale ferox, a thorny aquatic plant of still shallow water whose large round leaves cover the surface of ponds and chaurs; the seeds are gathered from the pond bed, dried, roasted and popped into the white kernels sold as makhana or phool makhana. Option A, Nelumbo nucifera, is the lotus, whose seeds and stem are also eaten but which is a different plant altogether. Option C, Trapa natans, is the water chestnut or singhara, another pond crop of the same region and the commonest distractor here. Option D, Eichhornia crassipes, is the water hyacinth, an invasive weed of Indian water bodies that chokes ponds rather than yielding a crop. Learn the botanical name with the crop, since papers ask it directly.
Read the full article: Bihar Agriculture, Crops and Makhana: Exam Notes
Practice Questions
View allMithila Makhana received the geographical indication tag in which year?
- A.2018
- B.2020
- C.2022
- D.2024
Show answer
Mithila Makhana was registered as a geographical indication in 2022, the tag going to a producers body of the Mithila region so that growers of Darbhanga, Madhubani and the neighbouring districts, rather than traders elsewhere, gain from the name.
Read the full explanation →The research centre devoted to makhana in Bihar is located at which place?
- A.Darbhanga
- B.Muzaffarpur
- C.Sabour
- D.Pusa
Show answer
The makhana research centre is at Darbhanga, in the heart of the Mithila makhana belt, and work there covers pond management, the harvesting and popping process and improved varieties such as Swarna Vaidehi.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following crops belong to the Kharif Cropping season?
- A.Wheat
- B.Grams
- C.Mustard
- D.Cotton
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Cotton is a kharif crop, sown with the onset of the monsoon in June and July and picked from October onwards, because it needs warmth and rainfall during growth and dry weather at picking.
Read the full explanation →The Shahi Litchi, which carries a geographical indication tag, is the produce of which district of Bihar?
- A.Bhagalpur
- B.Muzaffarpur
- C.Darbhanga
- D.Nalanda
Show answer
The Shahi litchi of Muzaffarpur and the neighbouring districts of north Bihar is known for its thin skin, small stone and high juice content, it received a geographical indication tag in 2018, and Muzaffarpur is called the litchi capital of the country and houses the National Research Centre on Litchi.
Read the full explanation →Magahi Paan, the betel leaf with a geographical indication tag, is grown mainly in which region of Bihar?
- A.Mithila
- B.Seemanchal
- C.Magadh
- D.Champaran
Show answer
Magahi paan takes its name from the Magadh region and is grown in Gaya, Nawada, Aurangabad and Nalanda, where the soft leaf with its sweet taste and lack of sharpness has made it famous; it carries a geographical indication tag of its own.
Read the full explanation →