Question

Why did Mendel select garden pea for his experiments? Explain the characteristics of pea.

Answer 1

Mendel selected garden pea plant (Pisum sativum) for his experiments because of the following characteristics :

1. The flowers are bisexual and naturally self pollinating.

2. They can be artificially cross-pollinated.

3. The offsprings produced after cross pollination are fertile.

4. Pea plant has several pairs of contrasting characters.

5. Flowers of pea plant are large enough for easy emasculation.

6. It is a small herbaceous plant, so he could grow large number of plants.