📘 Q.13 IAS Prelims 2024— Environment & Ecology (Pea Family / Fabaceae)🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
📌 The Question:
Consider the following plants:
- Groundnut
- Horse-gram
- Soybean
How many of the above belong to the pea family?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
✅ Correct Answer: (c) All three
⚡ Lightning Classroom Explanation:
🔹 The pea family is botanically known as Fabaceae (Leguminosae).
It is one of the most important plant families for agriculture, soil fertility, and human nutrition.
🌱 Plant-wise Breakdown:
- 1. Groundnut — Correct ✅
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) belongs to the family Fabaceae.
It is a legume with the unique habit of geocarpy (fruit develops underground). - 2. Horse-gram — Correct ✅
Horse-gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) is a traditional Indian pulse crop and a legume, belonging to Fabaceae. - 3. Soybean — Correct ✅
Soybean (Glycine max) is a globally important leguminous crop, rich in protein and oil, and a classic member of Fabaceae.
➡️ Thus, all three plants belong to the pea family.
✔️ Answer: (c) All three
🧠 Curiosity Raiser:
👉 Most legumes, including these three, host Rhizobium bacteria in their root nodules, naturally fixing atmospheric nitrogen and enriching soil fertility.
📚 Enrich Notes (UPSC Edge):
- Fabaceae characteristics:
- Pod-like fruit (legume)
- Compound leaves with stipules
- Nitrogen fixation (soil-friendly crops)
- Major legumes in India:
- Pulses (gram, lentil, pigeon pea)
- Oilseeds (groundnut, soybean)
🕊️ IAS Monk Whisper:
“Legumes don’t just feed humans — they quietly heal the soil beneath our feet.”