(a) Give a detailed account on parthenocarpy. Add a note on its significance.

Explanation

Parthenocarpy:
(i) Fruit like structures may develop from the ovary without the act of fertilization. Such fruits are called parthenocarpic fruits.
(ii) Many commercial fruits are made seedless.
Examples: Banana, Grapes and Papaya.
(iii) Nitsch in 1963 classified parthenocarpy into following types:
(a) Genetic parthenocarpy:
Parthenocarpy arises due to hybridization or mutation.
Example: Citrus and Cucurbita.
(b) Environmental parthenocarpy:
Environmental conditions like frost, fog, low temperature, high temperature etc., induce parthenocary. For example, low temperature for 3-19 hours induces parthenocarpy in Pear.
(c ) Chemically induced parthencarpy:
Application of growth promoting substances like Auxins and Gibberellins induces parthenocarpy.
Significance:
(i) The seedless fruits have great significance in horticulture.
(ii) The seedless fruits have great commercial importance.
(iii) Seedless fruits are useful for the preparation of jams, jellies, sauces, fruits drinks etc.
(iv) High proportion of edible part is available in parthenocarpic fruits due to the absence of seeds.