seedless

Seedless is a term used in botany and horticulture to describe fruits and crops that develop with little to no viable seeds. In common consumer usage it refers to fruit varieties that are commercially sold as seedless. Seedlessness can occur naturally in some species or be induced through breeding and cultivation techniques.

The most common mechanisms are parthenocarpy, where fruit develops without fertilization, resulting in seedless or nearly seedless fruit; and stenospermocarpy, in which fertilization occurs but seed formation aborts early, leaving small or undeveloped seeds that are often not noticeable. A separate pathway is polyploidy, especially triploidy, which disrupts normal seed development and produces seedless varieties.

In crops such as grapes, watermelons and bananas, seedlessness is a major breeding goal to meet consumer preference and improve marketability. Grapes such as Thompson Seedless and various seedless watermelons are widely grown; many banana cultivars are triploid and seedless by nature. Seedless citrus, including navel oranges and many mandarins, often result from genetic traits that suppress seed formation, though some seeds may still occasionally appear.

Seedlessness can influence agronomic factors, including pollination requirements, fruit size, texture, and shelf life. While seedless fruits are convenient for eating, plant breeders continue to balance uniform sweetness, juiciness, and other quality traits with the desire for seedlessness.