Write notes on significance of Apomixes.
Answers
Apomixis refers to the occurrence of a sexual reproductive process in the place of normal sexual processes involving reduction division and fertilization. In other words apomixis is a type of reproduction in which sexual organs of related structures take part but seeds are formed without union of gametes. Seeds formed in this way are vegetative in origin.
When apomixis is the only method of reproduction in a plant species, it is known as obligate apomixis. On the other hand, if gametic and apomictic reproduction occurs in the same plant, it is known as facultative apomixis.
Apomixis is widely distributed among higher plants. More than 300 species belonging to 35 families are apomictic. It is most common in Gramineae, Compositae, Rosaceae and Rutaceae. Among the major cereals maize, wheat and pearl millet have apomictic relatives. Here, a brief account of apomixis, is furnished only from the point of view of breeding.
Apomixis is the method involved in production of seeds without fertilisation.Apomixis has an advantage of producing inividuals with desired qualities in more numbers. Apomixis is a type of asexual reproduction which is genetically controlled. There is a development of embryos and seeds without meiosis taking place in the female to produce eggs and thereby prevnting its participation in fertilisation. Apomixis helps in the enormous amount of seed production which are exact replicas of the mother plant.