Question

Apomictic embryos in Citrus arise from

• A. Diploid egg
• B. Synergids
• C. Maternal sporophytic tissue in ovule
• D. Antipodal cells

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Maternal sporophytic tissue in ovule

Apomixis is the replacement of sexual reproduction by asexual reproduction, without fertilization. Apomictic embryos in citrus arise from maternal sporophytic tissue in the ovule. Citrus will usually have polyembryonic feature, where more than a single embryo are produced. During the development of seeds from plants that possess this genetic trait, the nucellar tissue which surrounds the megagametophyte can produce additional embryos (polyembryony) which are genetically identical to the parent plant.