Question

Polyploidy level of cultivated strawberry

• A. Diploid
• B. Triploid
• C. Octoploid
• D. Hexaploid

Hint:

The cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a classic example of an allopolyploid in horticulture. It is an octoploid (8x), resulting from natural hybridization of two other octoploid wild species. This high ploidy level contributes to its large fruit size and vigor.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Polyploidy refers to the state of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes. Different plant species have different levels of ploidy. The commonly cultivated strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa, is a well-known example of a polyploid plant.
Wild strawberry species exist at various ploidy levels, including diploid (2x), tetraploid (4x), hexaploid (6x), and octoploid (8x).
The cultivated garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) originated from hybridization between two octoploid American species: Fragaria virginiana and Fragaria chiloensis.
Therefore, the cultivated strawberry is an octoploid, meaning it has eight sets of chromosomes. Its chromosome number is 2n = 8x = 56 (where x is the basic chromosome number, 7). Let's look at the options:
(1) Diploid: Some wild strawberry species are diploid, but not the common cultivated one.
(2) Triploid: Triploids exist in some plants but are not typical for cultivated strawberry.
(3) Octoploid: This is the correct ploidy level for Fragaria × ananassa.
(4) Hexaploid: Some wild strawberry species are hexaploid. Octoploid