Question

Assertion
Hydrophily constitutes a major mode of pollination in most of the aquatic angiospermous plants.
Reason
Almost all the aquatic dicot and monocot plants require water for the transport of male gametes and fertilization.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
C. Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
D. Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

Answer 1

Hydrophily is a mode of pollination whereby pollen grains are distributed by the agency of flow of water specifically in rivers and streams. Angiosperms are plants that produce flowers and bear seeds. Seagrasses are the only angiosperms capable of growing completely submerged in seawater. Water is essential in Bryophytes for fertilization. Characters of hydrophilous flowers include inconspicuous and small flowers, unwettable perianth, and other floral parts.

Complete answer:
Hydrophily is the mode of pollination through the agency of water.
Pollination is the process by which pollen grains are transferred from the mature flower anther to the stigma of another flower.
Pollination through water is rare in flowering plants. It is limited to only about 30 genera mostly monocotyledons such as Zostera, Vallisneria, Ceratophyllum, etc.
In many aquatic flowering plants, pollination can occur by insects or wind. For example, water lily, lotus, water hyacinth, etc.
So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Additional Information:
Some plants distribute pollen grains beneath the surface of the water for example seagrasses whereas some plants distribute pollen grains to the surface of the water for example Vallisneria.
Flowers pollinated by water are small, colorless, without nectar, and fragrance.
In hydrophily, pollen grains are light covered with wax to prevent wetting.

Note:
The process by which pollen grains are moved from the mature flower anther to the stigma of another flower is called pollination. Hydrophily is the term used for the mode of pollination by water. Vallisneria pollinates using hydrophily. Flowers that show hydrophily are small, colorless, without nectar, and fragrance. Hydrophily is a very rare mode of pollination. Pollination maintains genetic diversity within a population.