Parthenocarpy
As Parthenocarpy ( Greek παρθένος (parthenos) Virgin and καρπός (karpos) fruit ) or Jungfernfrüchtigkeit is in plants , the fruit development without fertilization and seed formation called. The fruit development can e.g. B. triggered by mechanical stimulation of the carpel of the flower , which leads to a growth substance release. It is supported by favorable climatic conditions, or by flowers frost if only the ovules , but not ovaries are damaged.
A distinction is made between inductive, stimulative parthenocarpy , which is triggered by external stimuli, vegetative parthenocarpy , which occurs spontaneously, and pseudo- parthenocarpy (stenospermocarpy), in which the seeds die after fertilization and the ripe fruits appear parthenocarp, as in so-called seedless grapes.
Parthenocarpy is common in apples , pears , grapes , figs , pineapples , citrus fruits and bananas , but it can also be artificially induced in other plants by treating flowers with auxin ; in this way z. B. Pull seedless tomatoes , cucumbers and eggplants .
Parthenocarpy is also genetically engineered , either to obtain seedless fruits or to prevent the spread of transgenic plants.
