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from nucellus is called nucellar embryony which is common feature in the families of
horticultural importance. Polyembryony in horticultural crops is associated with nuceller
embryony because it frequently results in polyembryonic seeds from which multiple
seedlings germinate.
Classification of polyembryony
Polyembryony may be classified on the basis of frequency.
i. Strictly polyembryonic Plant species in which the frequency of multiple embryos in
less than 7% is described as strictly polyembryonic.
ii. Nearly monoembryonic In case of nearly monoembryonic plant species the
frequency of polyembryony varies between 6-10%.
iii. Polyembryonic - If the per cent of multiple seed is more than 10% this condition is
called polyembryony and plants are called polyembryonate.
Polyembryony may also be classified on the basis of genetic composition.
i. Gametophytic Multiple embryos arises from the gametic cells of the embryo sac
(synergid, antipodal) after or without fertilization. In this case haploid embryos
are formed.
ii. Sporophytic : When multiple embryos arise either from zygote or from sporophytic
cells of ovule (nucellus, integument) and the resulting embryo will be diploid.
Hence citrus, mango and jamun exhibit true and sporophytic polyembryony.
Polyembryonate crops
Among horticultural crops, citrus, mango, jamun, rose apple, almond, peach, onion,
etc are polyembryonic in nature. However citrus is the most important group exhibiting these
traits. Except Citrus grandis (pummelo), C. latifolia (Tahiti lime) and Citrus medica (Citron)
all other species are polyembryonic. In case of mango (Mangifera indica), polyembryony is
variety-dependant. Bappakai, Chandrakaran, Kensington, Kitchner, Kurukkan, Muvandan,
Mylepelian, Nekkare, Olour, Peach, Prior and Starch are polyembryonic while mango
varieties of commercial importance are monoembryonic. Most of the polyembryonic mango
varieties are used as root stocks as they have poor fruit quality. Polyembryony is also
common in jamun (Syzygium cumini) and rose apple (Syzygium jambos).
Degree of polyembryony
Number of embryos varies with species and varieties. Seeds of highly polyembryonic
species contain even more than 8 embryos. However the occurrence of 2-4 embryos is
common. The intensity of occurrence of seeds containing multiple embryos may range up to
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70% in highly polyembryonic species. The emergence of seedlings is not directly correlated
with the number of embryos. Usually less number of seedlings is emerged with respect to the
number of embryos. The intensity of occurrence of multiple seedlings increases with the
increase in the number of embryo. In citrus, the occurrence of one seedling/seed was more
than 50% whereas the intensity of emergence of two seedlings/seed was 36.1%. The per cent
of 3, 4, 5 and 6 seedlings/seed was 7.5, 1.8, 0.6 and 0.1% respectively.
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