POLYEMBRYONY IN SYZYGIUM CUMINI (L.) SKEELS

Abstract

Polyembryony has much application in plant breeding and horticulture. Ecological significance of polyembryony is that it increases the probability of survival under varied conditions. Homozygous diploids can be raised from haploids. One can also obtain genetically pure plants by making use of adventives embryos. Nucellar seedlings are completely free from viruses, because the embryo sac and adjoining tissues are impregnated at flowering time with some unknown powerful substances which kills all the viruses. The nucellar seedling as a root stock has a tap root and, therefore develops a better root system. For immediate requirement of planting material, development of nucellar lines is the quickest and easiest method. The major possible horticultural applications of polyembryony are nucellar seedlings which are true-totype seedlings and such seedlings are genetically uniform.