The correct option is C Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
The reproductive characteristics which prevent species from fusing. Isolating mechanisms are particularly important in the biological species concept, in which species of sexual organisms are defined by reproductive isolation, i.e. a lack of gene mixture.
Hybrid breakdown is an example of post mating isolation mechanism which is the sub type of reproductive isolation. Hybrid breakdown is - First generation (F1) hybrids are viable and fertile, but further hybrid generations (F
2 and backcrosses) may be inviable or sterile. Hybrid breakdown does not increase the biotic potential of a species. Thus, assertion is correct and reason is wrong. So, option C is correct.