Question

Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Commercially acid lime is propagated by seed.
Reason (R) : Polyembryony is found in acid lime.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is NOT the correct explation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Polyembryony in Citrus: Nucellar seedlings developed from apomictic embryos are: 1. Trueness-to-type (Genetically identical to mother). 2. Virus-free & vigorous. That is why Acid Lime is commercially seed-propagated!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question evaluates why acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is uniquely propagated on a commercial scale through seeds unlike most other fruit crops that require vegetative propagation.

Step 2: Alysis of Assertion (A):

• Most fruit crops are propagated vegetatively to maintain trueness-to-type. However, Acid Lime (Kagzi Lime) is commercially propagated using seeds.
• Seedling trees of acid lime are vigorous, high yielding, and widely accepted by growers.
• Thus, Assertion (A) is correct.

Step 3: Alysis of Reason (R):

• Acid lime exhibits a high degree of polyembryony ($39--100\%$).
• In polyembryonic citrus seeds, multiple apomictic embryos arise directly from the materl nucellar tissue (nucellar embryony) alongside one zygotic embryo.
• Nucellar seedlings are genetically identical to the mother plant (true-to-type) and free from virus infection.
• Because polyembryony guarantees true-to-type progeny from seed, seed propagation is commercially successful.
• Thus, Reason (R) is correct and provides the direct biological explation for Assertion (A).

Step 4: Fil Answer:
Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explation of (A). Hence, option (A) is correct.