Question:

Which one of the following methods is commonly used to maintain the genetic traits of a given plant?

By propagating through seed germination

By propagating through vegetative multiplication

By treating the seeds with gamma radiations

By generating hybrids through intergeneric pollination

Solution:

The propagation through vegetative multiplication is used to maintain the genetic traits of a given plant. It gives rise to a genetically uniform population or clone. In case of plants propagated through seeds, variations creep in due to chance segregation and recombination of genes during meiosis and their chance combination during fertilisation.