Question:

Common food plants of Laccifer lacca are
(A) Palas, Ber, Babul and Pigeon pea
(B) Kusum, Palas, Ber and Babul
(C) Khair, Gooseberry and Mulberry
(D) Citrus, Avocado, Neem and Guava. Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

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Remember the three primary host trees for lac cultivation in India: Kusum, Palas, and Ber. This simple rule helps eliminate incorrect options in lac cultivation questions.
  • A and B only
  • B and C only
  • A and C only
  • C and D only
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The lac insect, Laccifer lacca (also classified as Kerria lacca), is reared for its resin, dye, and wax.
These insects are phloem-feeders that insert their stylets into the tender branches of specific host trees to suck the sap.
The trees that support lac insects are classified as major, minor, or trial host plants based on how well the insects grow and produce resin on them.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us review the host plants listed in the options:
Group (A):
- Palas (Butea monosperma): One of the most common host trees, particularly for the Rangeeni strain of the lac insect.
- Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana): A major host plant that produces high-quality lac.
- Babul (Acacia nilotica): A common minor host plant used in arid and semi-arid regions.
- Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan): A semi-woody shrub used as a host crop for lac cultivation in some agricultural systems.
All plants in Group A are recognized host plants.
Group (B):
- Kusum (Schleichera oleosa): The primary host tree for the Kusumi strain of the lac insect, which produces the highest quality, light-colored lac.
- Palas, Ber, and Babul are also major host plants as described above.
All plants in Group B are recognized host plants.
Group (C):
While Khair (Acacia catechu) is a good host plant, Gooseberry (Amla) and Mulberry are not host plants for the lac insect.
Group (D):
Citrus, Avocado, Neem, and Guava are not host plants for commercial lac cultivation.
Therefore, Groups A and B contain the common host plants for Laccifer lacca.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Groups A and B list the correct host plants for the lac insect.
Thus, the correct option is 1.
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