Question

Assured seed set is possible even in absence of pollinators when flower is

• A. Xenogamous
• B. Chasmogamous
• C. Geitonogamous
• D. Cleistogamous.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Cleistogamous.

•Xenogamous flowers are the flowers in which pollen are transferred from the anther to the stigma of a different flower on different plant. Xenogamous flowers are cross pollinated and depend on external agencies for pollination.

•Chasmogamous flowers are the flowers which have exposed anthers and stigma and thus, both self pollination and cross pollination can occur. Chasmogamous flowers may also depend on external agencies for cross pollination.

•Geitonogamous flowers are the flowers in which pollen are transferred from the anther to the stigma of other flower on the same plant. These flowers also need external agencies for pollination.

•Cleistogamy is the phenomenon, where flowers never open and in such flowers, only self-pollination occurs within the bud (unopened flower). Bisexual flowers which do not open at all are called cleistogamous. In such flowers, anthers and stigma lie close to each other. When the anthers dehisce in the flower buds, pollen grains come in contact with the stigma and pollination occurs. Cleistogamous flowers are not dependent on external agencies for pollination. Hence, seed setting is not dependent on pollinators.

Hence, assured seed set is possible even in the absence of pollinators when the flower is Cleistogamous.

So, the correct answer is D.