Question

What is a potential disadvantage of genetic mixing in cross-pollination?

Options

• Seeds will have reduced viability

• Genetic recombination always produces beneficial traits

• Undesirable characters may be introduced due to gene mixing

• All offspring will be disease-resistant

Answer 1

Although cross-pollination generally produces beneficial genetic recombination, it may introduce undesirable characters due to gene mixing from two different plants. This unpredictability in genetic outcomes is a disadvantage, as not all recombined traits may be advantageous for the plant's growth or survival.