NEETBotanyPlant - Growth and Development
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Application of ethylene increases the agricultural yield of both pineapple and cucumber crops. Reason (R): Ethylene synchronises fruit-set in pineapples and promotes female flowers in cucumbers. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Correct answer
B. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Step-by-step solution
Assertion (A) is correct because ethylene is extensively used in agriculture to increase the yield of various crops, including pineapples and cucumbers. Reason (R) is also correct and provides the exact physiological basis for the yield increase. In pineapples, ethylene initiates flowering and synchronises fruit-set, leading to a better and more uniform harvest. In cucumbers, ethylene promotes the formation of female flowers, which directly increases the number of fruits produced, thereby increasing the yield. Thus