Question:

Inbreeding depression will be severe in which of the following species?

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Maize exhibits severe inbreeding depression upon selfing, making the development of homozygous inbreds and subsequent hybrid crossing essential.
  • Onion
  • Sunflower
  • Carrot
  • Maize
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Inbreeding depression (loss of vigor and reproductive fitness upon continuous selfing) is most severe in outbreeding cross-pollinated crops harboring high genetic load.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Maize (Zea mays) is an obligately cross-pollinated monoecious crop with high genetic load.
Continuous self-fertilization exposes lethal and sublethal recessive alleles, resulting in severe inbreeding depression characterized by marked reduction in plant height, ear size, grain yield, and emergence of lethal chlorophyll-deficient mutants.
While onion, carrot, and sunflower also exhibit depression, maize shows the most pronounced inbreeding depression among field crops.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Thus, inbreeding depression is severe in Maize.
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