PARTHENOCARPY Meaning and
Definition
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Parthenocarpy is a botanical term used to describe the development and production of fruit without fertilization or the presence of viable seeds. It stems from the fusion of two Greek words: "parthenos" meaning virgin and "karpos" meaning fruit.
In normal fruit development process, pollination occurs wherein pollen grains are transferred from the male reproductive organs (stamens) to the female reproductive organs (carpels) of a flower. This fertilization triggers the formation of seeds and subsequently leads to fruit growth. However, in parthenocarpy, fruit is formed without any fertilization or seed development. This phenomenon can be naturally occurring or induced artificially through various techniques such as hormone application or genetic modification.
Parthenocarpy is observed in a wide range of plant species including bananas, pineapples, seedless grapes, and oranges. It can provide advantages to both plants and humans. For plants, this trait allows them to develop fruit in the absence of pollinators or in conditions unfavorable for pollination, ensuring reproductive success. For humans, parthenocarpic fruit varieties are highly desirable as they lack seeds, making them easier to consume and more convenient for culinary purposes.
Parthenocarpy has found practical applications in horticulture and agriculture industries where seedless fruits are preferred for commercial purposes. It also contributes to the improvement of crop yield and quality, as it aids in fruit production under adverse conditions. Overall, parthenocarpy represents a fascinating adaptation in the plant kingdom, enabling plants to reproduce and provide humans with nutritious and seedless fruit options.
Common Misspellings for PARTHENOCARPY
- oarthenocarpy
- larthenocarpy
- -arthenocarpy
- 0arthenocarpy
- pzrthenocarpy
- psrthenocarpy
- pwrthenocarpy
- pqrthenocarpy
- paethenocarpy
- padthenocarpy
- pafthenocarpy
- patthenocarpy
- pa5thenocarpy
- pa4thenocarpy
- parrhenocarpy
- parfhenocarpy
- parghenocarpy
- paryhenocarpy
- par6henocarpy
- par5henocarpy
Etymology of PARTHENOCARPY
The word "parthenocarpy" is derived from two Greek roots: "parthenos", meaning virgin or maiden, and "karpos", meaning fruit. "Parthenocarpy" combines these roots to describe a biological phenomenon where a fruit is produced without fertilization, and therefore, seedless. The term was first coined by the German botanist R. von Hartig in 1901, who used it to describe a form of asexual reproduction in fruit trees.
Similar spelling words for PARTHENOCARPY
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