Question: 131: Which of the following can be expected if scientists succeed in introducing apomictic gene into hybrid varieties of crops?
(1) Polyembryony will be seen and each seed will produce many plantlets
(2) Seeds of hybrid plants will show longer dormancy
(3) Farmers can keep on using the seeds produced by the hybrids to raise new crop year after year
(4) There will be segregation of the desired characters only in the progeny
Answer: Option (3)
Explanation:
Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction in plants.
In apomixis, seeds are formed without fertilization, and the embryo develops directly from diploid cells of the parent plant.
As a result, the offspring produced are genetically identical to the parent plant.
If an apomictic gene is introduced into hybrid crop varieties, the hybrid vigor and desirable traits of the hybrid will be maintained in successive generations.
This means there will be no segregation of characters in the progeny.
Therefore, farmers can reuse the seeds produced by hybrid plants year after year without loss of yield or quality.
Hence, the correct answer is that farmers can keep on using the seeds produced by the hybrids to raise new crop year after year.