Strategies For Enhancement In Food Production

Option B Inbreeding depression is the correct answer.

Explanation of Autogamy and Inbreeding:

In plants, autogamy transfers pollen grains to stigma within the same flower. This is similar to self-pollination and another concept called inbreeding. To ensure autogamy, plants have developed certain adaptations like:

• Bisexuality
• Homogamy
• Cleistogamy

Autogamy may be useful for plants where it does not require pollinating agents, and also the plants do not need to produce costly nectar and fragrances to attract pollinating agents. However, since there is no random mating as the flowers are self-pollinated, this reduces the chances of genetic variability.

The concept of breeding is common in animal husbandry practices. In plants, inbreeding is a process in which mating is allowed among similar breeds having common ancestors for at least 4-6 generations. This increases the homozygosity of the race. Due to inbreeding depression, plants lose their chances of variations, and thus the race is lost soon in the near future. Random mating is essential from the point of evolutionary aspects.

Here is the solution for the question on Roquefort cheese ripening:

Step 1: Understanding Roquefort Cheese
Roquefort cheese is a type of blue cheese made from sheep's milk. The unique feature of this cheese is its characteristic blue veins, which develop during the ripening process.

Step 2: Role of Fungi in Ripening
The ripening process of Roquefort cheese involves the growth of a specific type of fungus, Penicillium roqueforti, which is responsible for creating the blue veins and giving the cheese its distinct flavor and texture.

Step 3: Conclusion
The correct organism responsible for ripening Roquefort cheese is a fungus, not yeast, bacterium, or virus

The correct answer is (C) : Fungi.