Civil Services Prep

Prelims 2014 · Agriculture · Question 20

In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?

  1. The oil extracted from seeds is used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics
  2. The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas
  3. The leaf extract of this plant has the properties of anti-histamines
  4. It is a source of high quality biodiesel

Answer

The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas

  • (a) Guar is mainly valued for guar gum, not for seed oil used in biodegradable plastics. Verdict: Incorrect.
  • (b) Guar gum from cluster bean seeds is widely used as a thickening/fracturing agent in shale gas extraction. This is why guar cultivation gained recent significance. Verdict: Correct.
  • (c) Cluster bean is not known in standard UPSC-relevant usage for a leaf extract used as an anti-histamine. Verdict: Incorrect.
  • (d) Guar is not recognized as a major source of high-quality biodiesel. Verdict: Incorrect.
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