MPPSC 2018 Prelims Q5: Which of the following is a medicinal

Q: What is the answer to MPPSC 2018 Prelims Q5?

B. Correct — B, Aloe vera. Aloe vera (Ghritkumari / Gwarpatha) is a succulent grown as a medicinal and herbal crop — the gel from its thick, fleshy leaves is used in traditional medicine, health drinks and cosmetics. Among the four options it is the only crop cultivated primarily for medicinal use.

MPPSC 2018 Prelims Paper-I · Question 5 of 100

Verified against the official question paper. Answer as per the official MPPSC answer key.

Which of the following is a medicinal crop?

(a)Sugarcane
(b)Aloe vera
(c)Cotton
(d)Mahua

Answer

Why

Correct — B, Aloe vera. Aloe vera (Ghritkumari / Gwarpatha) is a succulent grown as a medicinal and herbal crop — the gel from its thick, fleshy leaves is used in traditional medicine, health drinks and cosmetics. Among the four options it is the only crop cultivated primarily for medicinal use.

Why the others are wrong

(a)Sugarcane — Sugarcane is a cash / commercial crop grown for sugar and ethanol — not a medicinal crop.
(c)Cotton — Cotton is a fibre (cash) crop grown for its lint — not for medicinal use.
(d)Mahua — Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) is an economic forest tree valued for its flowers (liquor, food) and oil-bearing seeds — an economic, not primarily medicinal, crop.

Concept

Crops are grouped by their end use: food crops, cash / commercial crops (sugarcane, cotton), fibre crops (cotton, jute), oilseeds, plantation crops, and medicinal & aromatic crops (aloe vera, tulsi, ashwagandha, mint). Aloe vera belongs to the medicinal & aromatic plant (MAP) group.

The other three options are classic commercial or economic crops, so the odd one out is the medicinal plant — aloe vera. (Note a booklet quirk: this paper's Hindi line printed 'industrial crop' while the English asked for a 'medicinal crop'; the commission's key marks Aloe vera, the medicinal plant.)

Key facts

Aloe vera (Ghritkumari) is a medicinal & aromatic crop; its leaf gel is used in medicine and cosmetics.
Sugarcane and cotton are cash / commercial crops; cotton is also a fibre crop.
Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) is an economic forest tree (flowers, oilseeds) — not a medicinal crop.
India promotes medicinal-plant cultivation through the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB).

Study next

Classification of crops: food, cash, fibre, plantation, medicinalMedicinal & aromatic plants (tulsi, ashwagandha, mint, lemongrass)National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) and AYUSHCash crops of India (sugarcane, cotton, jute)Mahua and minor forest produce (MFP)

Common traps

Assuming every useful plant is 'medicinal' — sugarcane and cotton are commercial crops
Reading Mahua as medicinal; it is mainly an economic / forest tree

Asked as 'which is a medicinal / cash / fibre crop' — match the crop to its use-based category.

Related PYQs

No directly related past PYQ was found.

Practice

practice — not a real PYQ
Which of the following is a fibre crop?
- (a)Aloe vera
- (b)Cotton
- (c)Sugarcane
- (d)Tulsi
Answer(b) Cotton — grown for its lint fibre.
practice — not a real PYQ
Aloe vera, tulsi and ashwagandha are grouped together as:
- (a)Cereal crops
- (b)Medicinal & aromatic plants
- (c)Plantation crops
- (d)Fibre crops
Answer(b) Medicinal & aromatic plants.