By which of the following methods do red algae reproduce?

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Accepted Answer

1. Conclusion: Red algae reproduce vegetatively by fragmentation and by using pieces/cuttings of the thallus — i.e. methods $(2)$ Cutting and $(4)$ Fragmentation.

2. Why not grafting: Grafting requires vascular tissues and cambial activity found in higher plants; red algae (Rhodophyta) lack these structures, so grafting (1) is not applicable.

3. Why not micropropagation: Micropropagation (in vitro tissue culture) is a technique developed for vascular plants and is not a standard natural or common commercial method for red algae propagation; red algal cultivation relies on vegetative fragmentation/cuttings rather than typical plant tissue culture (3) is not applicable.

4. Therefore the correct combination is options $(2)$ and $(4)$, which corresponds to choice d.

FINAL_ANSWER: d

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