Question

What are two advantages for farmers in the field for using apomictic seeds of hybrid variety?

Answer 1

Flowering plants have evolved a special method, to produce seed without fertilisation, called apomixis. Even though seeds in general, are produced by fertilisation. Apomixis is genetically controlled. Genes controlling apomixis are being searched.

Complete answer:
Apomixis is an asexual reproduction that occurs without fertilization and not involving meiosis. One example of apomixis is apomictic parthenogenesis.
Type of apomixis:

1. Sporophytic budding: embryo arises from diploid sporophytic cell such as nucellus or integuments (other than eggs)
2. Recurrent agamospermy: in this method, a diploid embryo sac is formed from the megaspore mother cell of the nucellar nucleus which has a diploid egg or oosphere.

Hybrid varieties are preferred by farmers because of their higher yield, vigour and resistance to stresses. They have increased crop productivity. due to segregation in the progeny, it is difficult to maintain hybrid characters in the upcoming generation. Hybrid seeds have to be produced every year in order to obtain a higher yield.

It is not economical for the farmers. Therefore, agricultural researchers are trying to find various methods which will maintain hybrid traits indefinitely. One of the possible methods is the development of seeds through apomixis. Since embryos in apomictic seeds often develop from diploid cells, segregation of traits will not occur and the new seeds will contain all the traits of the hybrid variety.
Apomixis is genetically controlled. Genes controlling apomixis are being searched. As soon as they are located, efforts will be made to transfer them into hybrid varieties.

Note: Alternatively, seeds can be generated from nonsexual cells too. These plants are perfect clones of mother plants. These products are fully viable without pollination. due to segregation in the progeny, it is difficult to maintain hybrid characters a the upcoming generation.