Question

Which one of the following statements about the mode of reproduction is NOT correct?

• A. Self-fertilization, where pollen from a plant will fertilize ovules of the same plant.
• B. Cross-pollination, where pollen from one plant can only fertilize a different plant.
• C. Asexual propagation, where the new plant is genetically identical to its parent.
• D. Apomixis, where seeds are produced asexually and the new plant is quite improved and different from its parents.

Hint:

Introducing genes for apomixis into hybrid crops is a major goal in plant breeding.
This would allow farmers to harvest and replant seeds from high-yielding hybrids without losing hybrid vigor in subsequent generations.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Plants use sexual and asexual modes of reproduction to maintain their populations and adapt to different environments.
These reproduction modes determine the genetic variation present in the offspring.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each of the statements:
Option (A): Self-fertilization occurs when pollen from a plant fertilizes ovules of the same plant. This is a correct statement.
Option (B): Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of one plant to the stigma of a genetically different plant, which is correct.
Option (C): Asexual propagation bypasses meiosis and fertilization, producing offspring that are genetic clones of the parent plant. This is correct.
Option (D): Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction through seeds without fertilization.
Because fertilization does not occur, the embryo develops directly from maternal tissues of the ovule.
As a result, offspring produced via apomixis are genetically identical to the maternal parent.
They do not exhibit genetic variation and are not "improved and different" from their parent.
Thus, statement (D) is incorrect.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The statement that is NOT correct is Option (D).