Question

What is emasculation? Mention its importance.

Answer 1

Hint: In nature plants reproduce by means pollination. Successful pollination results from compatibility between stigma and pollen grains. Incompatibility can cause rejection and has a high impact on commercial crop production. To combat this situation methods of artificial hybridization came into existence.

Complete answer: Artificial hybridization is the method of crossing plants with different genetic composition and desirable traits to result in the formation of superior off-springs.
The process of artificial hybridization can be achieved by emasculation.
Emasculation is the method of removal of anthers before the pollen grains are released. This inhibits the pollination to occur. Care should be taken not to harm the female reproductive parts in any way.
Emasculation aims to prevent self-fertilization of the female parent. The process can be carried out in various ways as follows:
Hand emasculation is performed manually. The anthers are removed by using forceps. The anthers are removed before they mature.
Suction method is used to suck the anther with the help of a glass tube attached to a suction hose.
Hot/cold/alcohol treatment methods are used based on the fact that pollen grains are very sensitive to changes in the environment. The flowers are treated to hot or cold water or by alcohol. Care should be taken to protect the female reproductive parts.
Emasculation is very important in artificial hybridization techniques. It ensures that cross pollination takes place in a flower and results in superior off-springs as compared to the parents. It is carried out by crop breeders to improve crops. This process can be used to transfer one or more superior characters from variety to another, improve crop yields and stronger hybrid varieties. We can also protect endangered plant species by using this technique. It can also lead to the formation of superior dominant traits that ensures survival of off-springs.

Note: Emasculation is the method of removal of anthers from flowers. The anthers are removed before they mature. It can be carried out in various ways like removed by hand or by suction or using hot/cold water treatment or using chemicals. Emasculation is an important part of artificial hybridization. The process ensures passing on favorable and superior traits to off-springs or introducing favorable characters from one variety to another.