Which of the following steps would be irrelevant while planning for an artificial hybridization program involving dioecious plants?

Emasculating the flowers

The correct answer is Option (2)-Emasculating the flowers

Emasculation is irrelevant in an artificial hybridization program involving dioecious plants. Dioecious plants have separate male and female flowers, so there is no need to emasculate the female flowers.

The other steps, bagging the female flower, dusting the pollen on the stigma, and collecting the pollen, are all necessary for artificial hybridization.

(a) Dusting of pollen on stigma: This step involves applying the desired pollen onto the stigma of the female flower, allowing for controlled fertilization and the formation of hybrid seeds.

(c)Collecting the pollen from the desired male plant ensures that there is a sufficient quantity of pollen available for artificial hybridization.

(d) Bagging of female flower: This step is important to prevent unwanted pollen from other plants from reaching the female flower, ensuring that only the desired pollen is used for fertilization.