PLANTS- HOBBY to Professsion

Name:SAANVI J Class & Section: VIII B

FRUIT/VEGETABLE
Select a plant, stick the picture and answer the following:
Name of the plant: Mandarin orange
Flowering/Non flowering: Flowering plant
Kingdom: Plantae
Family: Rutaceae
Find out interesting facts about the plant:

Did you know mandarins are a winter fruit. Mandarin oranges from Japan are a
popular Christmas gift in the United States, Canada, and Russia. Also, they symbolize wealth
and prosperity during the Asian Lunar New Year celebration.
Do you have any questions?
Why are mandarin oranges called mandarin?
Possible answer if any:

The term “mandarin” refers to Citrus reticulate, sometimes called “kid-glove oranges,” and is
characterized by deep orange skin with easy peeling and separation of sections. The fruit
originated in China, hence its name.
You tube link: https://youtu.be/YfIbYjv-OgM
LIFE STYLE
Types: Herb/Shrub/Tree/Climber/Creeper .

Habitat: The mandarin orange is considered a native of south-eastern Asia and the
Philippines. It is most abundantly grown in Japan, southern China, India, and the East Indies,
and is esteemed for home consumption in Australia.
Zones: Tropical zone

Soil Type: Mandarins can be grown in a wide variety of soils but medium or light
loamy soils with slightly heavy sub-soil, well-drained with pH of 6.0-8.0 are ideal for cultivation.

Chapter name: Conservation of plants and animals, Crop production and managementWords of the subject: Biodiversity,
Biosphere reserve,deforestation, endangered, endemic, extinction, flora, fauna, migrate, agriculture, weeding, ploughing,
manure, fertilizer, irrigation, harvesting
Season: Winter season
Climate: Cold climate
Temperature: Maximum/minimum: 100-350 C
Adaptation: How does the plant adapt to different seasons?

Mandarin orange is a winter tree and it is has developed adaptive feature to survive in this
season. It can tolerate cold season but extreme cold temperature can also kill the entire
plant. An increase in temperature and water stress at critical phenological stages of citrus
results in reduced tree fruit set, decrease in fruit growth and size, increase in fruit acidity, low
tree yield, reduced fruit peel thickness, and pre-harvest fruit drop.
Endangerment: How can plant be endangered?

Not extinct, the effects of climate change, deforestation and land development play a role
in the demise of these species.
Evolution: How did the plant evolve?

Although cultivated for over 3,000 years in China, mandarin oranges did not reach Europe
and North America until the nineteenth century.
They were adopted into cultivation in the Mediterranean area and, by 1850, were well
established in Italy. Sometime between 1840 and 1850, the „Willow-leaf‟ or „China Mandarin‟
was imported by the Italian Consul and planted at the Consulate in New Orleans.

Extinction: What factors could make the plant extinct in the bio-diversity?

The numerous factors are responsible for the loss of Biodiversity such as pollution, habitat loss,
hunting, introduction of invasive species, overexploitation of preferred species, climate
change, and natural disasters.
Bio-diversity: What is the effect of climate change on the plant bio-diversity?
Environmental conditions play a key role in defining the function and distribution of plants, in
combination with other factors. Changes in long term environmental conditions that can be
collectively coined climate change are known to have had enormous impacts on current
plant diversity patterns; further impacts are expected in the future.

Symbiosis: How is the plant interdependent on other living being or how other living being
are dependent on the plant?

The different ways that animals and plants are interdependent in an ecosystem because
they depend on each other for basic survival needs like food, protection, shelter and
propagation. Plants provide food for animals and humans, who cannot make their own
foods like plants do.

Chapter name: Conservation of plants and animals, Crop production and managementWords of the subject: Biodiversity,
Biosphere reserve,deforestation, endangered, endemic, extinction, flora, fauna, migrate, agriculture, weeding, ploughing,
manure, fertilizer, irrigation, harvesting
Genome : How many chromosomes are present in the cell of your plant?
2n=2x=18
What is the biological attribute of the plant?

A mandarin orange contains 85% water, 13% carbohydrates, and negligible amounts of fat
and protein (table). Among micronutrients, only vitamin C is in significant content (32% of the
Daily Value) in a 100-gram reference serving, with all other nutrients in low amounts.
Why is plant bio-diversity important?

Plants biodiversity play a key role in ecosystems. Plant biodiversity is invaluable because it
balances ecosystems, protects watersheds, mitigates erosion, moderates climate, and
provides shelter for animals.
USES
Which part of the plant is used for food: Fruit
Other uses (clothes, lamps etc):

The peel is used fresh, whole or zested, or dried as chenpi. It can be used as a spice for
cooking, baking, drinks, or candy. In traditional Chinese medicine, the dried peel of the fruit
is used in regulation of ch'i and to enhance digestion.
Useful for other plants and animal: It gives oxygen to other plants.
LIFE CYCLE
What are the different needs of plant at four stages of life?

Water, carbon-dioxide, sunlight are required for the plant during all stages of life. A rainfall of
about 150 cm to 250 cm is required. The winter should be mild and there should be no
strong, hot winds during summer. Deep well drained loamy soils are best suited for
cultivation. Soil pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5.
Life span: 20-30 productive years, but may live 50-150 years

Germination (Baby): the best time to plant a citrus tree is after the danger of frost is past, in
late winter or early spring.
Growth (Youth): During its growth it needs right amount of rainfall and proper temperature.

Reproduction (Adult): Late winter and/or spring. Some cultivars tend to bloom more in
alternate years.
When do they become productive?

Mandarins do not ripen further once picked and must be left on the tree until ripe. Some
cultivars must be fully colored to be ripe, others can be light green. Rainfall, sunlight, and

Chapter name: Conservation of plants and animals, Crop production and managementWords of the subject: Biodiversity,
Biosphere reserve,deforestation, endangered, endemic, extinction, flora, fauna, migrate, agriculture, weeding, ploughing,
manure, fertilizer, irrigation, harvesting
temperature determine ripening times and will vary from year to year. Leaving the fruit on
the tree after ripening will cause it to become sweeter as the acidity is reduced.

Pollination: Some are self-pollinating, except for Clementine and Minneola which need a
second compatible cultivar nearby for pollination.
Old stage: The tree can live for 50-150 years and then they become old and die.
What is the critical period for:

1. Watering the plant: Basin irrigate or deep water for 1.5 hours or more until the water
has reached a 3' depth. The frequency of irrigation depends on the species, the age of the
tree and the month of the year. For trees in the ground three years or more, irrigate as
follows: December-February, every 21-30 days; March-April, every 14-21 days; May-June,
every 14 days; July-September, every 10-14 days; October-November, every 14-21 days.
2. Adding fertilizer and manure: Apply an organic fertilizer every month or two from mid-
February to early October. Alkaline soils will cause iron deficiency. Apply a citrus
micronutrient solution as necessary when leaves become yellow with green veins, signalling
a micronutrient deficiency. Only use products containing iron in chelated iron form, which is
more easily absorbed by the plant. Avoid chemical fertilizers because they increase salt
build-up in the soil. Do not fertilize after September to keep the plant from producing new
growth that will be harmed by early frost.

Chapter name: Conservation of plants and animals, Crop production and managementWords of the subject: Biodiversity,
Biosphere reserve,deforestation, endangered, endemic, extinction, flora, fauna, migrate, agriculture, weeding, ploughing,
manure, fertilizer, irrigation, harvesting
 OLYMPIAD/ASSET QUESTIONS:
1. Which country is the largest producer of fruits?
a) Brazil
b) India
c) China
d) USA
2. Fruit which contains the maximum calories:
a) Dates
b) Custard apple
c) Grapes
d) Gooseberry
3. Chlorosis in plants is caused by the deficiency of:
a) Manganese and Zinc
b) Boron and Phosphorus
c) Calcium and Oxygen
d) Nitrogen and Manganese
4. Largest producer of Papaya in India:
a) West Bengal
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) Karnataka
d) Kerala
5. The nutritonal element which imporves the quality of fruit is:
a) Potassium
b) Phosphorus
c) Sulphur
d) Nitrogen
6. Syruping is done for the preservation of :
a) Fruits
b) Vegetables
c) Pulses
d) Spices
7. Fruit juices are pasteurized at:
a) 45 degree C
b) 15 degree C
c) 100 degree C

Chapter name: Conservation of plants and animals, Crop production and managementWords of the subject: Biodiversity,
Biosphere reserve,deforestation, endangered, endemic, extinction, flora, fauna, migrate, agriculture, weeding, ploughing,
manure, fertilizer, irrigation, harvesting
 d) 72 degree C
8. The chemical process that occurs when oxygen comes in contact with the flesh of the cut fruit is:
a) Enzymatic browning
b) Reduction
c) Displacement
d) Dehydration
9. Mixing ________ with fresh fruit prevents it from turning brown:
a) Lemon juice
b) Water
c) Milk
d) Salt
10. Natural sugars found in fruit:
a) Fructose
b) Sucrose
c) Lactose
d) Galactose

11. Ramu, a farmer, grew wheat on the same field for many years. He noticed that the yield of wheat is
decreasing every year. What do you think he should do to rectify this? N-L
(A) He should put more water in the field to provide adequate irrigation.
(B) He should leave field free for one or more season.
(C) He should grow legume crop in next season to replenish nitrogen in the soil
(D) Both B and C
12. The given figure shows an irrigation method used in agricultural practice. (N-L)

Which of the following is correct regarding this irrigation method?

(A) It is the best technique for watering fruit plants, gardens and trees.
(B) It is a boon in regions where availability of water is poor.
(C) The method provides water to the plants drop by drop at their roots.
(D) All of these

Chapter name: Conservation of plants and animals, Crop production and managementWords of the subject: Biodiversity,
Biosphere reserve,deforestation, endangered, endemic, extinction, flora, fauna, migrate, agriculture, weeding, ploughing,
manure, fertilizer, irrigation, harvesting