What is apomixis?

Production of seeds without fertilisation.

The answer is production of seeds without fertilization.

Apomixis is a type of asexual reproduction in plants that produces seeds without fertilization. This means that the embryo develops from the cells of the female gametophyte, without the fusion of sperm and egg cells.

There are several different types of apomixis, but they all involve the bypassing of the sexual reproduction process.

In apomictic plants, the seeds formed through apomixis are genetically identical or very similar to the parent plant. This lack of genetic recombination and variation distinguishes apomixis from sexual reproduction, where genetic diversity is introduced through meiosis and fertilization.

Apomixis can occur through various mechanisms, including:

1. Adventitious embryony: Embryos develop directly from somatic cells of the ovule, without the need for fertilization.

2. Gametophytic apomixis: Embryos develop from the unfertilized egg cell or other cells of the female gametophyte.

3. Nucellar embryony: Embryos develop from cells of the nucellus, a tissue surrounding the embryo sac.

Apomixis is a significant reproductive strategy in certain plant species and can contribute to their ability to reproduce clonally, bypassing the need for pollination and the production of viable pollen. It allows for the preservation of desirable traits in plants and can be advantageous in environments where pollinators are scarce or unreliable.

However, apomixis can also have some disadvantages. For example, apomictic plants are not as genetically diverse as sexually reproducing plants. This can make them more susceptible to diseases and pests.

Overall, apomixis is a fascinating phenomenon that has important implications for plant biology. It is a process that is still not fully understood, but it is clear that it plays a significant role in the reproduction of many plant species.