Module: | Pre-fertilization: Micro/Megasporogenesis
Q16: Consider the following statements regarding the techniques of artificial hybridization:
1. Emasculation is the removal of anthers from the flower bud before the anther dehisces, a step required only if the female parent bears bisexual flowers.
2. Bagging involves covering the emasculated flower with a bag, generally made of butter paper, to prevent contamination of its stigma with unwanted pollen.
3. If the female parent produces unisexual flowers, emasculation is performed immediately after the flowers open to prevent self-pollination.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. Bagging involves covering the emasculated flower with a bag, generally made of butter paper, to prevent contamination of its stigma with unwanted pollen.
3. If the female parent produces unisexual flowers, emasculation is performed immediately after the flowers open to prevent self-pollination.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: A
The correct option is A. Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.
Artificial hybridization is a foundational agricultural technique used to crop improvement programs to ensure that only desired pollen is used for fertilization.
Structurally, if a plant has bisexual flowers, breeders must use forceps to remove the anthers before they shed pollen; this is emasculation.
Immediately after, the flower is bagged to physically block stray pollen from landing on the receptive stigma.
Statement 3 is incorrect because if the female parent produces unisexual (pistillate) flowers, there are no anthers to remove.
Therefore, the emasculation step is completely bypassed.
The buds are simply bagged before they open, and once receptive, desired pollen is dusted onto the stigma, after which the flower is re-bagged to allow fruit development.
Artificial hybridization is a foundational agricultural technique used to crop improvement programs to ensure that only desired pollen is used for fertilization.
Structurally, if a plant has bisexual flowers, breeders must use forceps to remove the anthers before they shed pollen; this is emasculation.
Immediately after, the flower is bagged to physically block stray pollen from landing on the receptive stigma.
Statement 3 is incorrect because if the female parent produces unisexual (pistillate) flowers, there are no anthers to remove.
Therefore, the emasculation step is completely bypassed.
The buds are simply bagged before they open, and once receptive, desired pollen is dusted onto the stigma, after which the flower is re-bagged to allow fruit development.