Which one of the following plants will have many ovules in their gynoecium?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Watermelon
Ovules (megasporangia) arise from the placenta inside the ovary. The number of ovules in an ovary differs from plant to plant, and each ovule can become a seed after fertilisation.
Option (1) Paddy — Incorrect. Paddy (rice) has only one ovule in its ovary, so each grain holds a single seed.
Option (2) Wheat — Incorrect. Wheat also has a single ovule in each ovary, which grows into one grain.
Option (3) Watermelon — Correct. The ovary of watermelon has many ovules. That is why a watermelon is full of seeds, as are papaya and orchids.
Option (4) Mango — Incorrect. Mango has a single ovule, so the fruit has only one seed (the stone).
NCERT Extract:
The Pistil, Megasporangium (Ovule) and Embryo Sac – “… The basal bulged part of the pistil is the ovary. Inside the ovary is the ovarian cavity (locule). The placenta is located inside the ovarian cavity. Recall the definition and types of placentation that you studied in Class XI. Arising from the placenta are the megasporangia, commonly called ovules. The number of ovules in an ovary may be one (wheat, paddy, mango) to many (papaya, water melon, orchids).”