Question

Which of the following methods is responsible for the production of seedless fruit?
A. Binary fission
B. Budding
C. Spore formation
D. Vegetative propagation
E. Parthenogenesis

Answer 1

Hint: Seedless fruits are easier to consume, hence, they are most popular and commercially beneficial. These fruits can be produced if the fertilization process is avoided. Watermelon, Tomatoes, Grapes and bananas are some common examples of seedless fruits.

Complete answer:
A seedless fruit is a fruit produced with no mature seeds to hold. Since it is usually simpler and more convenient to eat, seedless fruits are considered commercially valuable. Plant hormones such as gibberellins are used for the stimulation of seedless fruit production. It occurs without fertilization in plants. This process is called parthenogenesis or parthenocarpy, effectively giving rise to seedless fruits. Watermelons, tomatoes, grapes and bananas are popular varieties of seedless fruits. In addition, there are different citrus fruits without seeds, e.g. oranges, lemons etc.
a) Budding is a process wherein a new individual is developed from an outgrowth. It is commonly seen in Hydra. It is a type of asexual reproduction.
b) Binary fission in plants is a form of asexual reproduction, which is usually observed in prokaryotes.
c) Vegetative propagation occurs in leaves, roots and stems of the plant. No genetic variations can be observed in organisms developed through this process.

So, the correct answer is option E.

Note: Parthenogenesis can occur without meiosis through mitotic oogenesis called apomictic parthenogenesis. Mature egg cells are produced by mitotic divisions, and these cells directly develop into embryos. Offsprings produced via apomictic parthenogenesis are clones. Examples include aphids.