Question

Match the duration of given strains in lac crop
List I
A. Aghani
B. Jethwi
C. Katki
D. Baisakhi
List II
I. October - July
II. June - November
III. January - July
IV. June - February
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
• B. A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
• C. A-IV, B-II, C-III, D-I
• D. A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I

Hint:

Associate Kusumi crops (Aghani and Jethwi) with longer durations and premium quality, while Rangeeni crops (Katki and Baisakhi) have distinct dry and wet season schedules.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The lac insect, Kerria lacca, produces two distinct strains based on the host plant they preferentially parasitize: the Rangeeni strain (usually grown on Palas and Ber) and the Kusumi strain (usually grown on Kusum).
Each strain completes two life cycles (crops) per year, resulting in four distinct seasonal lac crops with specific developmental durations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the duration of each crop strain:
- A. Aghani: This is the winter crop of the Kusumi strain.
Inoculation occurs in June or July, and harvesting takes place in January or February of the following year.
Thus, its duration matches with IV. June - February.
- B. Jethwi: This is the summer crop of the Kusumi strain.
Inoculation happens in January or February, and harvesting occurs in June or July.
Thus, its duration matches with III. January - July.
- C. Katki: This is the rainy season crop of the Rangeeni strain.
Inoculation takes place in June or July, and harvesting is completed by October or November.
Thus, its duration matches with II. June - November.
- D. Baisakhi: This is the summer crop of the Rangeeni strain.
Inoculation occurs in October or November, and harvesting occurs in June or July of the next year.
Thus, its duration matches with I. October - July.
Therefore, the correct matching is A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I.

Step 3: Final Answer
The correct option is (D).