The correct option is
A Artificial hybridization
Mendel conducted experiments to understand the concept of inheritance (the process by which genetic information is passed on from parent to offspring). He used a garden pea plant (Pisum sativum) for this experiment where he chose and selected the characters that were prominently contrasting. For example, tall and dwarf.
Since the experiment was focused on looking into specific characters, natural pollination (the transfer of pollen between the male and female organs of the flowers, without human intervention) or random mating (the mating of individuals regardless of any physical or genetic preference) may not bring about the germination of the desired pollen. Hence, artificial hybridization is carried out. So option a is correct.
Artificial hybridization is the process in which only desired pollen grains are used for pollination and fertilization. In this method steps are taken to ensure that the pollen of the desired plant is pollinated in the experimental set up without any interference.
Pollination is the process of reproduction in plants in which plants transfer pollen grains from anther to stigma.
Figure : Artificial hybridization
Grafting and layering are techniques of vegetative propagation.
Grafting is the act of placing a portion of one plant (bud or scion) on a stem (stock with root system) in such a way that a union will be formed and the partners will continue to grow.
Layering is the development of roots on a stem while the stem is still attached to the parent plant.
These two methods involve the vegetative parts of the plant like root and stem, not the reproductive part (flower). Hence they are not an effective technique to study inheritance.