Question:

Identify the crop plants with "zero" or "nearly zero" $CO_2$ compensation point:
(A). Ragi, Pearl millet, Amaranthus
(B). Cowpeas, Groundnut, Pineapple
(C). Sugarcane, Maize, Foxtail millet
(D). Pineapple, Wheat, Sorghum
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

Crops with "nearly zero" $CO_2$ compensation points are $C_4$ plants.
Identify the groups that contain no $C_3$ plants (such as wheat, groundnut, or cowpea) to find the correct option.
  • (A), (B) and (D) only
  • (B) and (C) only.
  • (A) and (C) only
  • (C) and (D) only
Show Solution
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The $CO_2$ compensation point is the concentration of carbon dioxide in the surrounding air at which the rate of photosynthetic $CO_2$ fixation matches the rate of respiratory $CO_2$ release.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

$C_3$ plants have a high $CO_2$ compensation point ($30 - 100 \text{ ppm}$) due to photorespiration.
$C_4$ plants have a very low, nearly zero $CO_2$ compensation point ($0 - 10 \text{ ppm}$) because PEP carboxylase fixes carbon dioxide efficiently, and the bundle sheath cells concentrate $CO_2$ around Rubisco, suppressing photorespiration.
Let's evaluate the options to identify groups containing only $C_4$ plants:
Group (A): Ragi, Pearl millet, and Amaranthus are all $C_4$ plants.
Group (B): Cowpeas and Groundnut are $C_3$ plants, while Pineapple is a CAM plant.
Group (C): Sugarcane, Maize, and Foxtail millet are all classic $C_4$ crops.
Group (D): Wheat is a $C_3$ plant.
Therefore, groups (A) and (C) consist of plants with near-zero $CO_2$ compensation points.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct option is (A) and (C) only.
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