What is Nucellar and nucellar embryogenesis?
Nucellar refers to the nucellus, which is the tissue surrounding the embryo sac inside a seed. It is a part of the ovule in plants and provides nourishment to the developing embryo.
In nucellar embryogenesis, embryos develop from the nucellar cells without fertilization. This process occurs mainly in polyembryonic plant species like mango, citrus, and some other fruit trees, leading to the production of genetically identical (clonal) seedlings of the mother plant.
This method is widely used in plant propagation because it ensures that the offspring maintain the desirable traits of the parent plant, such as fruit quality, disease resistance, and vigorous growth.
Nucellar and its role in plant reproduction
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | Nucellar refers to the nucellus, the tissue surrounding the embryo sac in a seed, which provides nourishment to the developing embryo. |
| Location | Found inside the ovule, surrounding the embryo sac in flowering plants. |
| Function | – Provides nutrients to the developing embryo. – Can give rise to nucellar embryos in some species. |
| Nucellar Embryogenesis | A process where embryos develop from nucellar cells without fertilization, producing genetically identical (clonal) plants. |
| Common in | Polyembryonic species like mango, citrus, jamun, and some conifers. |
| Benefits | – Produces disease-free, uniform seedlings. – Maintains desirable traits of the mother plant. – Faster multiplication compared to sexual reproduction. |
| Challenges | – Some cultivars show low embryogenesis rates. – Requires laboratory techniques for efficient propagation. – Acclimatization of plantlets can be challenging. |
| Applications | – Large-scale propagation of elite fruit cultivars. – Conservation of superior genetic lines. – Used in plant breeding and biotechnology research. |
Nucellar Embryogenesis In Mango Cultivars
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