Question

In what types of organisms in plants does inbreeding depression NOT occur? Why not?

Answer 1

ANSWER:

Inbreeding depression refers to reduction or loss of vigour and fertility due to inbreeding. Inbreeding depression is not observed in cross pollinating plants and in unisexual flowering plants such as papaya and watermelon.

This is mainly because pollen grains collected from one plant are deposited on the stigma of other female plant . In such cases genetic variants develop. Artificially inbreeding depression can be overcome by the process of bagging or emasculation (in bisexual plants). Increased cross breeding results in :-

1. increase in vigour

2. increase in yield.

3. greater resistance to disease and pests

4. early flowering and maturity.

5. and formation of genetic variants.