Question

There are 25 flowers in an inflorescence of Allium. Each anther lobe of every stamen contains 60 pollen grains. What is the total number of pollen grains produced in its inflorescence?
a. 9000
b. 18000
c. 1500
d. 4500

Answer 1

Hint: The cultivated species are grown in tropical as well as a tropical climate of the region. Allium cepa is popularly known as bulbil in common words. It is a well-cross-pollinated flower and belongs to the group of monocotyledons. Seed production is vital for crop production and improvement. It is a biennial plant that has two growing seasons.

Complete answer:
The inflorescence is the process of arrangement of flowers in a plant. In Allium cepa, commonly known as onion. Allium cepa is a species of plant belonging to the family Liliaceae. The inflorescence of onion is the Umbellate cyme. It is a type of mixed inflorescence. In this inflorescence, the central flower is subtended by umbellate branching (it consists of several short flower stalks which spread from a common point) and initial monochasial cyme (one flower below with terminal flower) to dichasial cyme (simple cyme)

In Allium cepa the stamen comprises both anthers and filaments. The stamen of each flower is 6. Each lobe consists of 60 pollen grain. This means that each stamen consists of \[120 \times 6 = 720\]pollen grains. So, it may be concluded as each flower consists of \[720 \times 25 = 18000\]pollen grains. Therefore, 25 flowers contain \[720 \times 25 = 18000\]pollen grains.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The inflorescence axis of Allium cepa having a peduncle arises from the ground. It bears a cluster of flowers at its apex. Pedicels are of equal length. They arise from the apex of the peduncle. Hence the appearance of flowers is at the same level. The flowers are white and are protandrous. It comprises anthers that are bilobed in structure.