LAR or leaf area ratio is the total area of leaves per total plant weight . It tends to be largest in

Options

A. (a) hydrophytes
B. (b) Mesophytes
C. (c) Xerophytes
D. (d) halophytes

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Leaf Area Ratio (LAR)**:
- The Leaf Area Ratio (LAR) is defined as the total leaf area of a plant divided by its total plant weight. It is an important ecological parameter that indicates the photosynthetically active area of the plant.

2. **Significance of LAR**:
- A higher LAR indicates a greater surface area for photosynthesis relative to the plant's biomass, which is beneficial for growth and survival, especially in environments where light is a limiting factor.

3. **Identifying Plant Types**:
- The question asks which type of plant tends to have the largest LAR. We will consider different categories of plants:
- **Hydrophytes**: Aquatic plants that are submerged in water.
- **Mesophytes**: Terrestrial plants that require moderate water.
- **Xerophytes**: Plants adapted to dry environments (e.g., deserts).
- **Halophytes**: Plants that thrive in saline conditions.

4. **Analyzing Hydrophytes**:
- Hydrophytes typically have large, flat leaves that maximize surface area for photosynthesis while submerged. They also have a high number of stomata, which facilitates gas exchange and enhances photosynthetic activity.

5. **Analyzing Mesophytes**:
- Mesophytes have moderate leaf sizes and shapes, which do not maximize the leaf area ratio as effectively as hydrophytes.

6. **Analyzing Xerophytes**:
- Xerophytes are adapted to conserve water and often have reduced leaf structures (like spines) to minimize water loss. This adaptation results in a lower LAR.

7. **Analyzing Halophytes**:
- Halophytes are adapted to saline environments and often have smaller leaves, which also results in a lower LAR compared to hydrophytes.

8. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, hydrophytes are the plants that tend to have the largest Leaf Area Ratio (LAR) due to their broad, flat leaves and adaptations for efficient photosynthesis in aquatic environments.

### Final Answer:
Hydrophytes tend to have the largest Leaf Area Ratio (LAR).

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