Question

1. Plan an experiment and prepare a flow chart of the steps that you would follow to ensure that the seeds are formed only from the desired sets of pollen grains. Name the type of experiment that you carried out.
2. Write the importance of such experiments.

Answer 1

(a) Artificial hybridisation is a technique which ensures that the seeds are formed only from the desired set of pollen grains. It includes emasculation and bagging. Emasculation refers to the removal of stamens or anthers or the killing of pollen grains in a bisexual flower without affecting the female reproductive organs. The emasculatedflower is immediately enclosed in a plastic or butter paper bag to avoid pollination by unwanted pollen. This process is called bagging.

Experiments and flowcharts of artificial hybridization:

Remove the anthers of a bisexual flower using a pair of forceps.

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Immediately cover the emasculated flower with a plastic or butter paper bag.

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Collect mature and viable pollen grains from the anthers of the male parent.

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Dust the pollen grains on the stigma of the female plant.

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Replace the bag immediately and allow the fruits to develop.

(b) Importance of artificial hybridisation:

1. It helps plant breeders to cross a particular plant with desired pollen grains.
2. This technique helps in the production of hybrids without contamination by unwanted pollen grains.