Plantation, Spices, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops- ICAR JRF/SRF 2024

• Climatic Requirements of Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin, family Lamiaceae):
• An aromatic perennial herb yielding patchouli oil (rich in patchoulol), an indispensable fixative in luxury perfumes.
• Native to the tropical rainforests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, thriving under hot and humid tropical environments characterized by temperatures of $24-28^{\circ}\text{C}$, annual rainfall of $1,500-2,500\text{ mm}$, and high relative humidity ($\gt 75\%$).
• Its shade tolerance makes it an ideal understory intercrop in coconut, arecanut, and rubber plantations under humid conditions.
• Correct Option: Option 3 (Hot and humid).

• Statement (I) is True: Senna (Cassia angustifolia / Senna alexandrina, family Fabaceae) is a major export-earning medicinal crop in India (Tinnevelly senna), primarily valued in modern and traditional pharmacopoeias for its reliable cathartic and laxative properties.
• Statement (II) is False: The active purgative principles, Sennoside A and Sennoside B (dianthrone glycosides), are present in high and abundant concentrations ($2.0-3.0\%$ in dry leaves and $3.0-4.0\%$ in dry pods), rather than being present "meagrely".
• Conclusion: Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false (Option 3).

Correct option: (3) Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.

• Vinblastine $\rightarrow$ (III) Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus): A potent bisindole alkaloid that binds tubulin dimers to inhibit microtubule assembly, utilized as a chemotherapy drug.
• Ajmalicine $\rightarrow$ (IV) Rauvolfia serpentina: A monoterpenoid indole alkaloid with anti-hypertensive and cerebrovascular dilating properties.
• Asiaticoside $\rightarrow$ (I) Centella asiatica (Mandukaparni / Gotu Kola): A triterpenoid saponin glycoside promoting wound healing, collagen synthesis, and neuroprotection.
• Anthraquinone $\rightarrow$ (II) Cassia Species: Senna (Cassia angustifolia) and Cassia fistula accumulate dianthrone and anthraquinone glycosides that stimulate peristalsis.
• Correct Combination: (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II), matching Option 4.

Correct option: (4) (A) - (Ill), (B) - (VY), (C)- (D, (B) - (I)