Assertion : Mendel conducted hybridization experiments on garden pea plant.

Reason : Several contrasting characters are found in pea plants

Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Assertion is true. Mendel's groundbreaking work on heredity and inheritance in garden pea plants (Pisum sativum). He conducted a series of hybridization experiments using pea plants between the years 1856 and 1863.

Reason is also true. The reason for Mendel's choice of garden pea plants for his experiments is that pea plants exhibit several pairs of easily distinguishable, or "contrasting," characters (traits) that are inherited independently.