Q.66 Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Pyrethrum compound is derived from several species of Parthenium which is widely used as an
insecticidal preparation.
Statement II: Parthenium is a native plant of India grown in Northern Plains and has ecological importance.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
1. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
2. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
3. Statement I is correct but Statement II is inconect
4. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Statement I is false (pyrethrum comes from Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium, not Parthenium); Statement II is also false (Parthenium hysterophorus is an invasive weed from Americas, not native to India). Correct answer: option 2 – Both incorrect.
Statement Analysis
Statement I: False
Pyrethrum/pyrethrins (insecticidal esters) are extracted from dried flower heads of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Tanacetum cinerariifolium), native to Balkans/Dalmatia. Parthenium species (e.g., Tanacetum parthenium = feverfew) may contain minor terpenes but not commercial pyrethrum—that’s exclusively Chrysanthemum.
Statement II: False
Parthenium hysterophorus (congress grass) originated in tropical Americas (Mexico, Caribbean), introduced to India ~1950s via grain imports. It’s a highly invasive noxious weed in Northern Plains causing allergic dermatitis, crop damage—no ecological importance, actively controlled.
Option Analysis
Option 1: Both correct
Wrong. I confuses Chrysanthemum with Parthenium; II misstates origin/ecology.
Option 2: Both incorrect (Correct)
Matches facts: wrong source plant (I), wrong native status/invasive reality (II).
Option 3: I correct, II incorrect
Wrong. Pyrethrum ≠ Parthenium source.
Option 4: I incorrect, II correct
Wrong. Parthenium harms Indian agroecosystems.
Pyrethrum compound Parthenium native India fails both statements in NEET exams. Pyrethrum derives from Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium flowers (Balkan native), not Parthenium; Parthenium hysterophorus invades India from Americas since 1950s.
True Pyrethrum Source
Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium → pyrethrins I/II, cinerins, jasmolins.
Action: Sodium channel disruption → insect paralysis.
Market: 1st natural insecticide ($300M/year).
Parthenium Reality
Origin: Mexico/Caribbean → India (1951, Bareilly)
Problems: Allergens (parthenin), crop losses (₹3B/year)
Control: Biocontrol (Zygogramma beetle)
No insecticidal/commercial value.
NEET trap: Confuses feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, medicinal) with pyrethrum chrysanthemum.
