Ques. 1NEET (UG) 2022 (Phase 2)
Which of the following can be expected if scientists succeed in introducing apomictic gene into hybrid varieties of crops?
- There will be segregation of the desired characters only in the progeny
- Polyembryony will be seen and each seed will produce many plantlets
- Seeds of hybrid plants will show longer dormancy
- Farmers can keep on using the seeds produced by the hybrids to raise new crop year after year
Answer
(4) Farmers can keep on using the seeds produced by the hybrids to raise new crop year after year
Solution
Seeds collected from a hybrid normally show segregation of characters in the progeny, so farmers must buy fresh hybrid seed every year.
In apomixis, seeds are formed without fertilisation, so the embryo is genetically identical to the parent and no segregation occurs.
As per NCERT, if hybrids are made into apomicts, farmers can keep on using the hybrid seeds to raise new crop year after year.
Answer: (4)
Out of syllabus