Seedless fruits, despite their name, do actually contain seeds, but these seeds are either very small and undeveloped or functionally sterile.
Seedless fruits are typically created through a process called parthenocarpy, which involves the development of fruit without fertilization.
There are a few different methods by which seedless fruits can be produced.
Natural Mutation
In some cases, seedless fruits are the result of a natural mutation.
These mutations can lead to changes in the plant's reproductive process, resulting in fruits that develop without viable seeds.
Sterile Pollination
Seedless fruits can also be created by preventing the pollination process.
Pollination, which is the transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, is necessary for the development of seeds.
By preventing pollination, either through physical barriers or by using varieties that are sterile or produce non-viable pollen, fruits can develop without viable seeds.
Ploidy Manipulation
Another method used to create seedless fruits is ploidy manipulation.
Plants have different levels of ploidy, which refers to the number of sets of chromosomes they possess.
By manipulating the ploidy level of a plant, such as through selective breeding or genetic modification, seedless fruits can be produced.
Tissue Culture
Seedless fruits can also be propagated through tissue culture, a laboratory-based method of plant reproduction.
In tissue culture, small pieces of plant tissue, such as cells or explants, are grown in a controlled environment to produce new plants.
