Question

Nitrogen fixation occurs with the help of symbiotic bacteria in -
A. Pea
B. Lettuce
C. Beans
D. Tomato
E. Black gram
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. A, B and C Only
• B. B, C and D Only
• C. B, C and E Only
• D. A, C and E Only

Hint:

To answer such questions, learn to identify common legumes. Most plants referred to as peas, beans, lentils, and grams belong to the legume family and can fix nitrogen symbiotically.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify which of the listed plants engage in a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This symbiotic relationship is characteristic of plants belonging to the legume family (Fabaceae).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze each plant:
A. Pea ({Pisum sativum}): This is a classic example of a legume. It forms root nodules that house nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the genus Rhizobium. (Correct)
B. Lettuce ({Lactuca sativa}): This is a leafy green vegetable from the Asteraceae family. It is not a legume and does not form nitrogen-fixing symbiotic relationships. (Incorrect)
C. Beans (e.g., {Phaseolus vulgaris}): Beans are a major group within the legume family and are well-known for their ability to fix nitrogen via symbiosis with Rhizobium. (Correct)
D. Tomato ({Solanum lycopersicum}): The tomato belongs to the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. It is not a legume. (Incorrect)
E. Black gram ({Vigna mungo}): This is another important pulse crop belonging to the legume family, and it actively fixes nitrogen. (Correct)
Step 3: Final Answer:
The plants that perform symbiotic nitrogen fixation are Pea, Beans, and Black gram. Therefore, the correct option is A, C and E Only.