Match Column I with Column - II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Column - I - Column II
A. Mustard - (i) Arachis hypogea
B. Groundnut - (ii) Cicer arietinum
C. Pigeon pea - (iii) Cajanus cajan
D. Gram - (iv)Brassica juncea

Question

Match Column I with Column - II and select the correct answer using the codes given below: 
Column - I - Column II
A. Mustard - (i) Arachis hypogea
B. Groundnut -  (ii) Cicer arietinum
C. Pigeon pea - (iii) Cajanus cajan
D. Gram - (iv)Brassica juncea

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1: A (iv), B (i), C (iii), D (ii)

This option provides the correct and precise match between the common names of the four economically significant crops in Column I and their respective scientific (botanical) names in Column II. A strong understanding of taxonomy, which involves assigning a unique two-part name (genus and species) to every organism, is crucial here. Let's break down the accurate matches: **Mustard** (A) is correctly paired with *(iv) Brassica juncea*, a species commonly known as Indian mustard, which is a key source of edible oil. **Groundnut** (B) is correctly matched with *(i) Arachis hypogea*, a legume known for its unique fruiting habit (geocarpy) and oil-rich seeds. **Pigeon pea** (C) is correctly paired with *(iii) Cajanus cajan*, a major pulse crop essential for protein in many diets. Finally, **Gram** (D), commonly known as Chickpea, is correctly associated with *(ii) Cicer arietinum*. Since all four pairings are factually correct—A-(iv), B-(i), C-(iii), and D-(ii)—this combination of codes is the only valid answer.

The incorrect option is 2: A (iii), B (ii), C (iv), D (i)

This option is incorrect because it contains multiple factual errors in the pairings. It incorrectly matches Mustard (A) with *(iii) Cajanus cajan*, which is actually Pigeon pea, failing to recognize that Mustard belongs to the *Brassica* genus. It also pairs Groundnut (B) with *(ii) Cicer arietinum*, the scientific name for Gram or Chickpea, rather than its correct name, *Arachis hypogea*. Furthermore, Pigeon pea (C) is incorrectly matched with *(iv) Brassica juncea* (Mustard), and Gram (D) is wrongly associated with *(i) Arachis hypogea* (Groundnut). In a match-the-following format, all given components must be correctly associated, and since this option contains a complete transposition of names, it is entirely flawed.

The incorrect option is 3: A (iv), B (iii), C (ii), D (i)

While this option correctly matches **Mustard** (A) with its scientific name, *(iv) Brassica juncea*, the other three pairings are incorrect. It makes a fundamental error by associating **Groundnut** (B) with *(iii) Cajanus cajan*, which is the botanical name for Pigeon pea. The correct match for Groundnut is *(i) Arachis hypogea*. The option also incorrectly links **Pigeon pea** (C) with *(ii) Cicer arietinum* (Gram) and **Gram** (D) with *(i) Arachis hypogea* (Groundnut). Since a correct answer requires a perfect set of four matches, the three errors in B, C, and D are sufficient to render this option invalid as a choice for the correct match.

The incorrect option is 4: A (iv), B (ii), C (iii), D (i)

This option is close to the correct answer but is ultimately incorrect due to a specific swap in the scientific names of two pulses. It correctly pairs **Mustard** (A) with *(iv) Brassica juncea* and **Pigeon pea** (C) with *(iii) Cajanus cajan*. However, it commits an error by incorrectly matching **Groundnut** (B) with *(ii) Cicer arietinum* and **Gram** (D) with *(i) Arachis hypogea*. This indicates a confusion between the scientific names for Groundnut and Gram, as the pair (B, D) is reversed from the correct sequence. Although two of the four matches are correct, the presence of even a single incorrect match makes the entire combined code invalid for selection.