Question

Describe emasculation.

Hint:

Emasculation ensures that the flowers can only receive pollen from a different plant, preventing self-fertilization and encouraging genetic diversity.

Answer 1

Step 1: Emasculation is a technique used in plant breeding to prevent self-pollination. It involves the removal of the anthers (male reproductive parts) from a flower to ensure that the flower cannot produce pollen. 

Step 2: This technique is commonly used in controlled cross-pollination experiments, allowing pollen from another plant to fertilize the ovule of the emasculated flower. 

Step 3: Emasculation is an essential step in hybridization, particularly when studying traits that involve cross-breeding of plants.