Question

The phenomenon of sulphur shower in pine forest is due to
A. Presence of sulphur
B. Presence of insects
C. Release of pollen grains in prodigious amount
D. Large number of fruits

Answer 1

Hint:-Pine defines any conifer (cone bearing trees) of the genus Pinus, of family Pinaceae. There are approximately 126 species of pines at present in the genus Pinus. They are gymnosperms whose seeds are naked. Pines are evergreen trees that are 3-80 metres in height.

Complete step-by-step solution:-In pines, pollination occurs during March-April (spring season). The pollen grains of the pine are yellowish in colour with wings. They are carried by the wind to the female reproductive organ. The leaves of pines are needle shaped. In pines, both male and female reproductive organs are present in the same plant.
Sulphur shower could be defined as a phenomenon in which pollen grains are released from the pine trees. Pines bear two types of cones – female seed cones and male pollen cones. Pollen cones are much smaller in size than the seed cones. When these pollen cones mature, they release a large number of pollen grains into the atmosphere making the surrounding appear like a yellow coloured cloud of these winged pollen. The amount of pollen released is so much that they deposit on the ground. This is known as Sulphur shower. Then the pollen grains are carried out by wind to the female cones. But most of the pollen grains get wasted and only few reach the female cone. So the correct option is (C) Release of pollen grains in a prodigious amount.

Note:- Pines are long living trees that can live up to 1000 years or even more. Pine forests are very important from an economical point of view because their wood is used as lumber. They also produce resins.