HORTICULTURE

Detailed explanation-1: -In most gymnosperms the male pollen cones, called microstrobili, contain reduced leaves called microsporophylls. Microsporangia, or pollen sacs, are borne on the lower surfaces of the microsporophylls. The number of microsporangia may vary from two in many conifers to hundreds in some cycads.

Detailed explanation-2: -Gymnosperms are vascular plants that produce seeds in cones. Examples include coniferssuch as pine and spruce trees. The gymnosperm life cycle has a dominant sporophyte generation. Both gametophytes and the next generation’s new sporophytes develop on the sporophyte parent plant.

Detailed explanation-3: -Furthermore, gymnosperms produce two different types of cones, namely, large female cones and small male cones. Four groups of gymnosperms are known: CYCADOPHYTA: 100 cycad species (cycad, sago palm) GINKGOPHYTA: 1 plant species (ginkgo)

Detailed explanation-4: -Key Points. Gymnosperms produce both male and female cones, each making the gametes needed for fertilization; this makes them heterosporous. Megaspores made in cones develop into the female gametophytes inside the ovules of gymnosperms, while pollen grains develop from cones that produce microspores.