Question

Give a detailed account of parthenocarpy. Add a note on its significance.

Answer 1

In some plants, fruit-like structures may develop from the ovary without the act of fertilization. Such fruits are called parthenocarpic fruits. Invariably they will not have true seeds. Many commercial fruits are made seedless.
Examples: Banana, Grapes, and Papaya. Nitsch in 1963 classified the parthenocarpy into the following types:

1. Genetic Parthenocarpy: Parthenocarpy arises due to hybridization or mutation.
   Examples: Citrus, Cucurbita.
2. Environmental Parthenocarpy: Environmental conditions like frost, fog, low temperature, high temperature, etc., induce Parthenocarpy. For example, low temperature for 3-19 hours induces parthenocarpy in Pear. Chemically
3. induced Parthenocarpy: Application of growth-promoting substances like Auxins and Gibberellins induces parthenocarpy.
4. Significance: Seedless fruits have great significance in horticulture.
   • Seedless fruits have great commercial importance.
   • Seedless fruits are useful for the preparation of jams, jellies, sauces, fruit drinks, etc.
   • A high proportion of edible parts is available in parthenocarpic fruits due to the absence of seeds.