Question

Parthenocarpic tomato fruit can be produced by ...............

• A. Raising the plants from vernalized seeds
• B. Treating the plants with phenylmercuric acetate
• C. Removing androecium of flowers before pollen grains are released
• D. Treating the plants with low concetrations of gibberellic acid and auxins

Answer 1

The correct option is D Treating the plants with low concetrations of gibberellic acid and auxins

Auxin produced by developing seeds stimulates the development of the fruit. When auxin is applied to certain flowers in which fertilization has not occurred (and, therefore, in which seeds are not developing), the ovary enlarges and develops into a seedless fruit. Such fruits are called parthenocarpic fruits. Seedless tomatoes are produced in this manner. Auxin is not the only hormone involved in fruit development, however. Gibberellins, like auxin, affect fruit development. Agriculturalists apply gibberellins to several varieties of grapes and tomatoes to produce larger fruits.