Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests knowledge of terminology in plant propagation.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
A clone is:
- A group of plants derived from a single mother plant by vegetative propagation.
- They retain the same genetic characteristics after repeated multiplication.
- Clones are genetically identical to the mother plant.
Other terms:
- Strain (B): A group of plants with similar characteristics but not necessarily identical.
- Variety (C): A subdivision of species with distinctive characteristics (can be seed-propagated).
- Cultivar (D): A cultivated variety (may be seed or vegetatively propagated).
Characteristics of clones:
- Uniformity in growth, yield, and quality.
- Maintained through vegetative propagation.
- True-to-type propagation.
Examples: Banana clones, potato clones, apple clones.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, vegetatively propagated plants from a single mother plant retaining character after repeated multiplication is known as a clone, which corresponds to option (A).
[0.5cm]