Parthenocarpy: Parthenocarpy could be defined as a process by which fruits are produced without the process of fertilization of ovules. A parthenocarpic fruit is devoid of embryo and endosperm and therefore does not have any seeds. That is why they are also known as seedless or virgin fruits.

Types of Parthenocarpy

• Vegetative: This generally takes place without pollination and due to the absence of pollination, no seeds are produced within the fruits.

• Stimulative: It generally takes place without the process of fertilization. This condition occurs when the ovipositor of a wasp is inserted into the ovary of a flower and can also be achieved by flowing air or plant growth regulators into the unisexual flowers that are present inside the syconium.

• Stenospermocarpy: This is a unique type of parthenocarpy where fertilization does take place and the seed begins to develop but it eventually aborts. There’s a seed trace that can be observed within the fruit and it can be outlined where seed development was terminated. This type of Parthenocarpy can be seen in seedless grapes and watermelons. 

Advantages of Parthenocarpy

• These fruits are healthier than natural fruits.
• It helps in improving fruit quality.
• It lowers the cost of crop cultivation.
• It has the potential to reduce the total time required by a crop.
• The crop’s yield is increased by this. With the help of this we can increase the profit from a crop.
• Because there is no need for pollination, it repels insects and pests.
• It is currently a desirable trait in edible fruits such as bananas, pineapples, oranges and grapefruits, tomatoes, and summer squash.
• It increases fruit production in dioecious species because pollen for staminate trees does not need to be planted.

Disadvantages of Parthenogenesis

• Seedless fruits cannot be used to produce new plant progeny.
• Parthenocarpy is undesirable in nut crops because the edible part is the seed.
• When compared to the normal state, the quality and size of Parthenocarpic fruits change.

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By Team Learning Mantras