Q.Give the economic importance of Solanaceae.

Solanaceae supplies major food crops, important medicinal alkaloids, tobacco, and ornamentals.

1. Food crops: Solanum tuberosum (potato) is a globally important staple tuber crop; Solanum melongena (brinjal/eggplant) and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) are widely eaten vegetables/fruits; Capsicum annuum (chilli, bell pepper) is a major spice/vegetable crop.
2. Medicinal plants: Atropa belladonna yields the alkaloid atropine (used as a mydriatic in ophthalmology and as an antidote for organophosphate poisoning); Datura species yield tropane alkaloids (hyoscyamine, scopolamine) used in asthma treatment and pre-anaesthetic medication; Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) is a valued adaptogenic/Ayurvedic tonic root.
3. Stimulant/industrial crop: Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) is the source of nicotine, cultivated worldwide for cigarettes/cigars and, historically, as a botanical insecticide. …