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Two plants can be conclusively said to belong to the same species if they
A
have more than 90 per cent similar genes
B
look similar and possess identical secondary metabolites
C
have same number of chromosomes
D
can reproduce freely with each other and form seeds
Detailed Solution
According to the biological species concept (Ernst Mayr), a species is a group of individuals that can interbreed freely among themselves in nature and produce fertile offspring, and that are reproductively isolated from other such groups.
So the conclusive test for two plants to belong to the same species is that they can reproduce freely with each other and form seeds that give fertile progeny.
Similarity of appearance or of secondary metabolites is not conclusive, because different species may look alike.
Different species can have the same number of chromosomes, so chromosome number is not conclusive either.
A high percentage of similar genes is also found between related but distinct species.
So the answer is that they can reproduce freely with each other and form seeds.
So the conclusive test for two plants to belong to the same species is that they can reproduce freely with each other and form seeds that give fertile progeny.
Similarity of appearance or of secondary metabolites is not conclusive, because different species may look alike.
Different species can have the same number of chromosomes, so chromosome number is not conclusive either.
A high percentage of similar genes is also found between related but distinct species.
So the answer is that they can reproduce freely with each other and form seeds.