NEETBotanySexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
What is the primary purpose of crossing different species and genera in plant breeding?
Options
- ATo produce flowers with unique colors
- BTo create genetically modified organisms
- CTo combine desirable characters to produce commercially ‘superior’ varieties
- DTo increase the number of plant species
Correct answer
C. To combine desirable characters to produce commercially ‘superior’ varieties
Step-by-step solution
You can easily study pollen germination by dusting some pollen from flowers such as pea, chickpea, Crotalaria, balsam and Vinca on a glass slide containing a drop of sugar solution (about 10 per cent). After about 15–30 minutes, observe the slide under the low power lens of the microscope. You are likely to see pollen tubes coming out of the pollen grains. A breeder is interested in crossing different species and often genera to combine desirable characters to produce commercially ‘superior’ varieties. Artificial h