Agronomy Degree Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered a non-parasitic plant?

1. Dodders

2. Witchweed

3. Mustards

4. Broomrapes

The correct answer is: Mustards

The correct response identifies mustards as non-parasitic plants, which is accurate as they belong to the Brassicaceae family and are typically autotrophic, meaning they produce their own food through photosynthesis. Mustards are cultivated for their seeds and used as vegetables or for their oil. They rely entirely on sunlight and mineral nutrients from the soil for their growth. In contrast, dodders, witchweed, and broomrapes are examples of parasitic plants. Dodders attach themselves to host plants and extract water and nutrients, while witchweed and broomrapes also depend on other plants for their nutrition through a parasitic relationship. This foundational difference in their nutritional strategies sets mustards apart as the only non-parasitic option among the choices provided.