Fruits develop without fertilization in few species, the process is called:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Parthenocarpy
Option (1) Parthenocarpy — Correct. In a few species such as banana, fruits develop without fertilisation; such fruits are parthenocarpic and seedless.
Option (2) Triple fusion — Incorrect. It is the fusion of a male gamete with the two polar nuclei, forming the primary endosperm nucleus; it happens only after fertilisation.
Option (3) Dormancy — Incorrect. Dormancy is the resting state of a mature seed, when metabolism slows down.
Option (4) Syngamy — Incorrect. Syngamy is fertilisation itself: the fusion of a male gamete with the egg.
NCERT Extract:
Seed – “… In most plants, by the time the fruit develops from the ovary, other floral parts degenerate and fall off. However, in a few species such as apple, strawberry, cashew, etc., the thalamus also contributes to fruit formation. Such fruits are called false fruits (Figure 1.15b). Most fruits however develop only from the ovary and are called true fruits. Although in most of the species, fruits are the results of fertilisation, there are a few species in which fruits develop without fertilisation. Such fruits are called parthenocarpic fruits. Banana is one such example.”
“… Parthenocarpy can be induced through the application of growth hormones and such fruits are seedless.”