Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Most of the commercial varieties of mango bear heavily in one year with very low or no crop in the following year.
Statement II: Most of the commercial mango varieties in southern parts of India are affected by malformation and sub-tropical parts are virtually free from it.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Hint:

Remember: Mango Malformation = Severe in the North (sub-tropical).
Southern India is mostly free of this disease due to its warmer tropical climate.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Mango (Mangifera indica) is India's premier fruit crop.
Its commercial production can be limited by physiological disorders and pathological diseases.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
- Statement I: Most commercial mango varieties exhibit alternate or biennial bearing.
This is correct. Many popular cultivars (such as Alphanso, Langra, and Dashehari) produce a heavy crop in one year (known as the "on" year) followed by a very poor or zero crop in the next year (the "off" year) due to changes in hormonal balances and nutrient reserves.
- Statement II: Mango malformation is a serious disease that affects both vegetative and floral parts, caused by the fungus Fusarium mangiferae.
Its incidence is highly dependent on climate.
The disease is severe in the sub-tropical regions of northern and western India (such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh), where winter temperatures are low.
In contrast, tropical southern and eastern parts of India are virtually free from this disease.
Statement II states the opposite, claiming that southern India is affected and sub-tropical regions are free, making it incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Statement I is correct because alternate bearing is common in mango, but Statement II is incorrect because mango malformation is severe in sub-tropical northern regions, corresponding to Option (C).