Question

Why is vivipary an undesirable character for annual crop plants?

• A. It reduces the vigour of the plant.
• B. It adversely affects the fertility of the plant.
• C. The seeds exhibit long dormancy.
• D. The seeds cannot be stored under normal conditions for the next season.

Answer 1

The correct option is D The seeds cannot be stored under normal conditions for the next season.

In plants, seeds usually germinate after being detached from the main plant body. In some cases, the detached seeds also undergo dormancy for an unspecified period of time before germinating, to ensure that the environment is sustainable and the seed has enough nourishment to support the germination. The seeds can also be stored under normal conditions for the next season.
But, sometimes the seeds begin to germinate before being detached from the main plant body. This is called viviparous germination. In annual plants, the seeds can’t be stored under normal conditions for the next season as the plant dies after producing the seeds.
Vivipary doesn’t have any effect on the vigour, vitality or fertility of the plant.