Parthenocarpy

Parthenocarpy is the development of fruit without fertilization of the ovules, producing seedless fruit. The term comes from Greek parthenos “virgin” and karpos “fruit.” In plants, parthenocarpic fruit can form spontaneously or be induced by horticultural practices.

Two main modes are recognized: true parthenocarpy, in which fruit set and growth occur in the absence of pollination or fertilization; and stimulated parthenocarpy, where fruit development is triggered by hormonal signals after pollination that would otherwise not fruit. Genetic parthenocarpy arises from inherited traits; inducible parthenocarpy can be achieved by applying plant growth regulators such as auxins, gibberellins, or cytokinins. Polyploidy and hybridity can also contribute to seedless fruit.

Parthenocarpy occurs in a variety of crop species and is exploited commercially in several fruits. Notable examples include banana cultivars that are seedless due to parthenocarpy and cucumber, tomato, and citrus varieties where seedless fruit is desirable. In some crops, seedlessness may also result from related processes such as stenospermocarpy or mechanical abortion of seeds, but parthenocarpy remains an intentional breeding goal in many horticultural systems.

Advantages of parthenocarpy include fruit set under unfavourable pollination conditions and the production of seedless fruits with consumer appeal. Potential drawbacks include smaller fruit size, altered texture or flavor, and reliance on hormonal or genetic mechanisms that may respond differently across environments. Breeding programs seek stable, heritable parthenocarpic traits and, in some cases, combine them with disease resistance or stress tolerance.