Pinus seed cannot germinate and establish without fungal associaton. This is because:
its embryo is immature
it has obligate association with mycorrhizae
it has a very hard seed coat
its seed contain inhibitors that prevents germinatiom.
Mycorrhiza -
Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association of a fungus with a root system. The fungi is extremely helpful for water and mineral absorption for the plants. Pinus seed have obligate association with mycorrhizae. They germinate only in the presence of fungus.
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Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association of a fungus with a root system. The fungi is extremely helpful for water and mineral absorption for the plants. Pinus seed have obligate association with mycorrhizae. They germinate only in the presence of fungus.
its embryo is immature
Option 2)it has obligate association with mycorrhizae
Option 3)it has a very hard seed coat
Option 4)its seed contain inhibitors that prevents germinatiom.
Pinus plant is devoid of root hair. So it has difficulty in absorbing water from the soil. A seed can only germinate after absorbing adequate amount of water. Hence, by the symbiotic association with fungi, pinus seed can germinate and grow. So the answer is option 2