Question

Geocarpic fruit is a
A.Carrot
B.Radish
C.Groundnut
D.Turnip

Answer 1

Hint:Geocarpy is a special type of means of reproduction. It is characterized by the bending of the parent plant stem downwards after flowering. Due to this, the flowers get embedded inside the soil, and a zygote or fruit develops inside the ground. Usually, fruits formed by this have hard coverings.

Complete answer:Geocarpic fruits are those that are formed beneath the soil layer under the ground. It happens due to the bending of the parent plant stem after flowering. The flowers along with the stem get embedded inside the ground. The pollination leads to the development of zygote and the formation of fruit inside the soil. This is generally seen in plants growing in rapid thawing or freezing soil surfaces. The geocarpic fruits are prevalent in East African regions.
After the pollination of flowers, the stalk elongates. This causes the stem to bend towards the ground. The stalk continues to elongate and pushes the ovary further into the ground. The flower produces diaspores within the soil. The fruit matures and turns into a legume pod. The Geocarpy is a rare kind of reproduction. Usually, it is meant for the protection of seed from the continuous soil movement in regions where geocarpic plants are found. Groundnuts or hypogaea is a geocarpic fruit. It is found beneath the ground covered in a hard shell-like covering.

Carrot is a modified root. Thus, it is a root vegetable. Radish is also a root vegetable found beneath the ground. Both carrot and radish are cylindrical pointed swollen roots having red and white colors respectively. Turnip is also a root modification and is spherical in shape.
Therefore, the right answer is option C as Groundnut is a geocarpic fruit.

Note: Peanut or groundnut is an economically and medicinally important legume crop. It is known for its edible seeds that have many health benefits. As they are leguminous plants they live in associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Peanut is used as a common kitchen ingredient in various forms. Peanut oil, peanut butter, peanut flour are some of the important products obtained from groundnut.