Question

What is apomixis and what is its importance?

NCERT Class XII
Biology - Main Course Book

Chapter 2. Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Answer 1

Apomixis in flowering plants is defined as the asexual formation of a seed from the maternal tissues of the ovule, avoiding the processes of meiosis and fertilization, leading to embryo development. It is an asexual mode of seed formation that produces clonal progeny with a maternal genotype.

Apomixis produces seed progeny which are exactly same as the mother plant. The major advantage of apomixis over sexual reproduction is the possibility to select individuals with desirable gene combinations and to propagate them as clones.

Also, it plays an important role in hybrid seed production. Apomixis prevents the loss of specific characters in the hybrid. It is also a cost-effective method for producing seeds.

Apomixis produces new hybrid breeds in lesser time. Hybrid varieties of seeds with better yield and quality can be produced. Disease-free plants can also be produced with desirable characteristics.

Answer 2

The given importance is correct but the definition of apomixis is not so helpful, so I am writing my definition:-

Apomiy is a process of asexual reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction, in which seeds are formed without fertilization directly from diploid cells of nucellus or integument ( eg:- citrus & mango) our diploid egg or some other gametophytic cell (eg:- Apple)....