Question

Heterosis (hybrid vigor) desirable in vegetatively propagated plants, because

• A. Heterosis maintains longer duration.
• B. These plants are easy to cultivate.
• C. Vegetative reproduction help in fast multiplication.
• D. It is due to homozygosity.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Heterosis maintains longer duration.

Heterosis, hybrid vigor, or outbreeding enhancement, is the improved or increased function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring. An offspring exhibits heterosis if its traits are enhanced as a result of mixing the genetic contributions of its parents. These effects can be due to Mendelian or non-Mendelian inheritance. Heterosis increases in such characteristics as size, growth rate, fertility, and yield of a hybrid organism over those of its parents. Plant and animal breeders exploit heterosis by mating two different pure-bred lines that have certain desirable traits. The first-generation offspring generally show, in greater measure, the desired characteristics of both parents. This vigour may decrease, however, if the hybrids are mated together. So, the parental lines must be maintained and crossed for each new crop or group desired. So, it is desirable in vegetatively propagated plants because, heterosis can be maintained for longer duration.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.