Correct option is A
The correct answer is (a).
Bet-hedging strategy. This strategy involves plants or organisms adopting a reproductive strategy that involves waiting for favorable conditions (such as rainfall in this case) before germinating. The plant ensures that not all seeds germinate at once or in unfavorable conditions, increasing the chances of survival under varying environmental conditions. Long-duration seed dormancy is a key feature of this strategy, as it helps the plant to survive in unpredictable environments like deserts, where rainfall is infrequent and variable.
Incorrect options-
K strategy (b) is incorrect because it is characterized by organisms that produce fewer offspring but invest more resources in them, usually in stable environments, unlike desert plants relying on seed dormancy.
Frequency-dependent reproduction (c) is incorrect as it deals with how reproductive success depends on the frequency of certain traits in a population, not the timing of germination.
Density-dependent reproduction (d) is incorrect as it relates to reproduction being influenced by population density, which doesn't explain seed dormancy triggered by environmental cues like rainfall.
