Question

In Brassica (rapeseed, mustard) __________ variety is resistant to aphids.
A. Pusa A-4
B. Pusa Gaurav
C. Pusa Sawni
D. Pusa Shubhra

Answer 1

Hint: Rapeseed mustards belong to the genus Brassica and are used widely in India by humans and animals alike. The influence of mustard on Indian economy is also significant. These plants are vulnerable to many pests – mustard aphid being the most common and widely distributed. This led to development of many varieties of the rapeseed plants that are resistant to aphids and other insect pests.

Complete answer:
Rapeseed mustards belong to the Brassicaceae family. They are good sources of oil for usage by human beings and food for both humans and animals. Rapeseeds are grown widely in India. The top contributors to Rapeseed mustard cultivation in India is Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. India occupies the third position in the world for rapeseed production in the world after China and Canada. The growth of rapeseed mustard in areas of the country that are primarily rain fed is aided by the low water requiring nature of the crop. It is the most widely grown oilseed crop next to groundnut and plays a major role in the Indian economy.
Rapeseed mustards are vulnerable to attack by various pests. Mustard aphids are one of the most common pests of rapeseed. The aphids suck the cell sap out of various parts of the plant. The pests attack during the period of November to March. The attacks result in stunted and dried up plants that result in no seeds or pods. The honeydew secreted by the aphids causes the growth of fungus on the leaves that inhibits photosynthesis.
In order to combat the disease infestation by the aphids, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute at Pusa has developed certain plant breeding programs. These programs aim to develop higher yielding disease resistant varieties of the crops. Such an aphid resistant variety of Rapeseed Mustard is Pusa Gaurav.
Pusa Sawani and Pusa A-4 are varieties of Okra or bhindi. These are resistant to fruit and shoot borers.
Pusa Shubhra is a variety of cauliflower. It is resistant to Black rot and Curl Blight black rot diseases.

Hence, option (B) is correct.

Note: Rapeseed mustards are significant sources of edible oil in India. A large part of the produce is exported and thus the crop plays an important role in the Indian economy. The oil is deemed fit for human consumption, to be used as hair oil and medicines, to be used in pickling and flavoring dishes. The oil cake is utilized as manure and feed for domesticated animals like cattle. Stems can also be used as fodder. Rapeseed mustard is prone to attack by several pests – aphids being the major pest. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute has developed disease and pest resistant varieties of crops. Pusa Gaurav is one such aphid resisting crop of Rapeseed mustard.