Assertion (A): Removal of anthers from the flower bud before the anther dehisces using a pair of forceps is referred to as emasculation.
Reason (R): Bagging is not required for emasculated flowers.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
In artificial hybridisation the breeder must make sure that only the chosen pollen reaches the stigma. Two steps do this: emasculation and bagging.
Assertion (A): Removal of anthers from the flower bud before the anther dehisces using a pair of forceps is referred to as emasculation. — True. When the female parent has bisexual flowers, the anthers are removed from the flower bud with forceps before they dehisce. This step is emasculation. It stops the flower from pollinating itself.
Reason (R): Bagging is not required for emasculated flowers. — False. An emasculated flower must be covered with a bag, usually of butter paper. Without the bag, unwanted pollen carried by wind or insects could land on its stigma. Bagging is done right after emasculation and again after the chosen pollen is dusted on the stigma.
A is true and R is false, so Option (3) is the answer.
NCERT Extract:
Pollination – “… If the female parent bears bisexual flowers, removal of anthers from the flower bud before the anther dehisces using a pair of forceps is necessary. This step is referred to as emasculation. Emasculated flowers have to be covered with a bag of suitable size, generally made up of butter paper, to prevent contamination of its stigma with unwanted pollen. This process is called bagging.”