parthenocarpic

Parthenocarpic refers to the development of fruit without fertilization, resulting in seedless fruit. In most flowering plants, fruit set follows pollination and fertilization, but parthenocarpy bypasses this step, producing fruit that may lack seeds or contain only rudimentary seeds.

There are two main forms. True parthenocarpy occurs when fruit develops without any fertilization at all. Inducible parthenocarpy is when fruit set is stimulated by external growth regulators, typically plant hormones such as auxins, gibberellins, or cytokinins, or by specific environmental conditions. Induced parthenocarpy can allow fruit production under suboptimal pollination or in closed environments.

Parthenocarpy can be genetic, arising from natural mutations or selective breeding, or hormone-induced through agricultural practices or biotechnological approaches. Some crops naturally exhibit parthenocarpic tendencies, while others have been developed into seedless varieties for commercial markets. Common examples include bananas (which are typically seedless), seedless citrus, cucumbers, grapes, and various melons; in some tomato and greenhouse crops, parthenocarpy is also utilized to ensure fruit set.

Agricultural significance and applications are notable. Seedless fruit can be preferred for fresh consumption and processing, and parthenocarpy can enable production in environments with limited pollinator activity or harsh weather. Breeding programs and hormone-based treatments are used to introduce or enhance parthenocarpic fruit set, balancing factors such as fruit size, texture, and yield across different crops.

Parthenocarpy is distinct from apomixis, a form of seed formation without fertilization. It specifically concerns fruit development, not the production of viable seeds.