Question

Father of Indian embryology is?
A. P.Maheshwari
B. Swaminathan
C. R.Misra
D. Butler.

Answer 1

Hint:He was one of the leading plant biologists who established the technique of test-tube fertilization of angiosperms. Another landmark discovery by him was production of haploids using anther culture.

Complete answer:
To answer this question, first, we need to know about embryology. Embryology is the branch of biology that studies the prenatal development of gametes (sex cells), fertilization, and development of embryos and fetuses. Embryology was initiated by the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle who lived in 384–322 BC. Aristotle is regarded as the “Father of Embryology''. Aristotle was the first embryologist globally to describe the development and reproduction of many kinds of organisms in his book titled “Degenerative Animalium”.

Panchanan Maheswari was a well known Indian botanist noted mainly for his invention of the method of test-tube fertilization of angiosperms. This discovery initiated a new era in plant biology and shaped the path for growing many improved crop varieties.
The major contributions of Professor Panchanan Maheshwari in the field of botany are:
>Complete study of the structure and development of gametophyte of a Gymnosperm plant, Ephedra foliata.
>Study of the stomata in the leaves of Gnetum.
>Artificial culture of male cone of Pinus roxburghii and development of its pollen grains in culture medium.Thus Study of embryogeny in many angiosperms.

Thus, the correct option is A i.e. P.Maheswari.

Note: Dr. Maheshwari’s book named as ‘An Introduction to the Embryology of Angiosperms’, published in 1950, is taken as a traditional or classic and is one of the great quoted biology texts. He created the International Society of Plant Morphologists in 1951, and started the international journal Phytomorphology. His research organization investigated over hundred families of angiosperms and a few gymnosperms in the country.