A genetic mutation results in the inability for a cycad to produce coralloid roots. What types of soils would be least conducive to the survival of this cycad relative to members of the species not affected by this mutation?

The question is incomplete as it does not have the options which are:

A. Soils saturated with water

B. Drier soils

C. Soils with lower mean temperatures

D. Soils with lower nitrogen

E. Soils with lower pH

Answer:

D. Soils with lower nitrogen

Explanation:

A cycad is a group of plants which belong to the gymnosperms or the plants which bear naked seeds.

The cycads show a characteristic feature that they form a symbiotic relationship with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria like the cyanobacteria and the Anabaena cicadae. These nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in the roots of the plants and convert the atmospheric nitrogen to the ammonia which can be used by the plants and the roots are called the coralloid roots.

If a mutation occurs in the gene of cycad which produces coralloid roots then the mutation will affect the survival of the plant as plants will not have enough nitrogen to be utilized and the soil with lower nitrogen content will also affect the survival of these mutated cycads.

Thus, Option-D is correct.