Question:
Which of the following factor is NOT favourable for induction of staminate flowers in Watermelon ?
Which of the following factor is NOT favourable for induction of staminate flowers in Watermelon ?
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Sex expression in cucurbits is influenced by environment and hormones:
Favouring Male (Staminate) Flowers: High temperature, long days, gibberellins.
Favouring Female (Pistillate) Flowers: Low temperature, short days, ethylene (Ethrel), auxins. Ethrel releases ethylene, which promotes femaleness.
Favouring Male (Staminate) Flowers: High temperature, long days, gibberellins.
Favouring Female (Pistillate) Flowers: Low temperature, short days, ethylene (Ethrel), auxins. Ethrel releases ethylene, which promotes femaleness.
Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
- Excessive nitrogen application
- High temperature condition
- Long day length
- Application of ethrel@150 ppm
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The Correct Option is D
Approach Solution - 1
Staminate flowers are male flowers. The question asks which factor is NOT favourable for their induction, meaning which factor would discourage male flower formation or promote female flower formation in watermelon.
(1) Excessive nitrogen application: High nitrogen often promotes vigorous vegetative growth. Its effect on sex expression can be complex and vary, but it doesn't typically inhibit staminate flower formation strongly; in some cases, it might initially favor maleness.
(2) High temperature condition: High temperatures generally promote the development of staminate (male) flowers in cucurbits like watermelon. This is a factor favourable for staminate flowers.
(3) Long day length: Long day conditions also tend to favor the production of staminate (male) flowers in many cucurbit species. This is a factor favourable for staminate flowers.
(4) Application of ethrel@150 ppm: Ethrel is a plant growth regulator that releases ethylene. Ethylene is known to promote femaleness in cucurbits. Applying ethrel increases the number of pistillate (female) flowers and suppresses or delays the formation of staminate (male) flowers. Therefore, ethrel application is NOT favourable for the induction of staminate flowers; it is favourable for female flowers. Thus, the application of ethrel is the factor that is not favourable for inducing staminate flowers. Application of ethrel@150 ppm
(1) Excessive nitrogen application: High nitrogen often promotes vigorous vegetative growth. Its effect on sex expression can be complex and vary, but it doesn't typically inhibit staminate flower formation strongly; in some cases, it might initially favor maleness.
(2) High temperature condition: High temperatures generally promote the development of staminate (male) flowers in cucurbits like watermelon. This is a factor favourable for staminate flowers.
(3) Long day length: Long day conditions also tend to favor the production of staminate (male) flowers in many cucurbit species. This is a factor favourable for staminate flowers.
(4) Application of ethrel@150 ppm: Ethrel is a plant growth regulator that releases ethylene. Ethylene is known to promote femaleness in cucurbits. Applying ethrel increases the number of pistillate (female) flowers and suppresses or delays the formation of staminate (male) flowers. Therefore, ethrel application is NOT favourable for the induction of staminate flowers; it is favourable for female flowers. Thus, the application of ethrel is the factor that is not favourable for inducing staminate flowers. Application of ethrel@150 ppm
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Approach Solution -2
Hormonal-mechanism approach:
Sex expression in cucurbits like watermelon is regulated largely by the balance between ethylene, which promotes femaleness, and other factors that favour maleness. Excess nitrogen supports lush vegetative growth and does not suppress male flower formation, and both high temperature and long day length are well-documented environmental triggers that push the plant toward producing more staminate (male) flowers. Ethrel, however, is an ethylene-releasing compound, and elevated ethylene levels are precisely what shift the flower ratio toward pistillate (female) flowers while suppressing staminate flower formation. Since three of the four options promote maleness and only ethrel works against it, ethrel application at 150 ppm is the one factor not favourable for staminate flower induction.
Sex expression in cucurbits like watermelon is regulated largely by the balance between ethylene, which promotes femaleness, and other factors that favour maleness. Excess nitrogen supports lush vegetative growth and does not suppress male flower formation, and both high temperature and long day length are well-documented environmental triggers that push the plant toward producing more staminate (male) flowers. Ethrel, however, is an ethylene-releasing compound, and elevated ethylene levels are precisely what shift the flower ratio toward pistillate (female) flowers while suppressing staminate flower formation. Since three of the four options promote maleness and only ethrel works against it, ethrel application at 150 ppm is the one factor not favourable for staminate flower induction.
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