Question

Cabbage is a biennial plant which produces flowers in second year of growth. In an attempt to make it flower in a single year, four potted plants (I, II, ill, and IV) of cabbage were subjected to different temperatures for several days as given in the table. Which potted plant will show flowering ?

• A. I
• B. II
• C. III
• D. IV

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

I

Answer 2

Low temperature required for vernalisation is usually $0-5^{\circ}C$. In nature, the plants requiring vernalisation are commonly biennials (e.g., cabbage, sugarbeet, carrot), which complete their life cycle in two years. They germinate and grow vegetatively in the first year and produce flowers in the second year of growth. These plants fulfill their cold requirement during winters. However, such biennial plants can be made to flower in one growing season by providing low temperature treatment (i.e., $0-5^{\circ}C$ temperature) to young plants or moistened seeds.