Identify the correct example of parthenocarpic fruit.

The correct answer is Option (3) → Banana

Parthenocarpy is the formation of a fruit without fertilisation. Such a fruit has no seeds. It can also be produced by spraying growth hormones.

(1) Apple — Incorrect. Apple is a false fruit. The thalamus grows along with the ovary to form the fruit, and the seeds form after fertilisation.

(2) Mango — Incorrect. Mango is a true fruit. It forms from the ovary after fertilisation and has a seed inside the stone.

(3) Banana — Correct. Banana develops without fertilisation and is seedless, so it is a parthenocarpic fruit.

(4) Orange — Incorrect. Orange normally forms after fertilisation and contains seeds.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 30-05-2026 (Slot 2) and on 22-05-2026 (Slot 1), and in CUET (UG) 2023 on 07-06-2023 (Slot 3).

NCERT Extract:
Seed – “… 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.”