The correct option is (a) 1 only.
Explanation
The morphological stages of the cotton plant (Gossypium spp.) and the visual characteristics of a cotton field during the harvesting stage.- Statement 1 is Correct: When the cotton crop matures and is ready for picking, the cotton bolls (the fruit of the plant) burst open to reveal the soft, white cellulosic fibers inside. When an entire field is at this stage, the abundance of white fibers creates a visual effect that strongly resembles a field covered with snow.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The white appearance is due to the exposed cotton fibers (lint), which are part of the fruit (boll), not the flowers. The flowers of the cotton plant are typically yellowish-cream or white when they first bloom and often turn pink or red before falling off. The "snow-like" appearance occurs during the fruiting/harvesting stage, long after the flowering stage has passed.
Key Takeaway: The white, fluffy substance in a cotton field is the fiber from the burst fruit (boll), not the flower of the plant.