Parthenocarpy

The process of fruit formation without fertilisation is called parthenocarpy.

Parthenocarpy is the biological process by which a fruit develops from the ovary without the fertilisation of ovules, resulting in seedless fruits. Such fruits are called parthenocarpic fruits or "virgin fruits".

• Derived from Greek: parthenos = virgin; karpos = fruit → "virgin fruit"
• The term was first scientifically described by German botanist Fritz Noll in 1902
• Parthenocarpic fruits lack embryo and endosperm because no fertilisation occurred; hence, no viable seeds are produced

1. Stimulus - absence of fertilisation or external hormonal application
2. Hormonal trigger - auxins (IAA), gibberellins, or cytokinins mimic the post-fertilisation hormonal environment
3. Cell division - the ovary wall (pericarp) undergoes rapid cell division and enlargement
4. Fruit development - the ovary matures into a fruit, but since no ovule was fertilised, no seeds form
5. Result - fully developed, pulpy, seedless fruit

• Parthenocarpy is the formation of fruit without fertilisation, giving seedless fruits called parthenocarpic or "virgin fruits" (Greek parthenos = virgin, karpos = fruit).
• These fruits lack embryo and endosperm, so no viable seeds are formed.
• In its mechanism, hormones like auxins, gibberellins, or cytokinins mimic the post-fertilisation environment, causing the ovary wall (pericarp) to divide and enlarge into a pulpy, seedless fruit.
• Natural (genetic) parthenocarpy occurs spontaneously without pollination, as in banana and pineapple.
• Environmental parthenocarpy is triggered by conditions like low temperature or frost, as in some pears in cold climates.
• Chemically induced (artificial) parthenocarpy results from spraying hormones on unpollinated flowers, as in tomato, seedless grapes, and citrus.