Question

What is apomixis? Mention its significance.

Answer 1

The process of reproduction is important for continuing the existence of life on earth. Reproduction is called the method of the creation of a new organism from pre-existing species of a similar nature. The reproductive phase, depending on the presence of gametes, may be divided into asexual and sexual reproduction. Apomixis is the opposite of fertilization.

Complete answer: Apomixis:- (Apo-without; mixis:- mixing). The mechanism in which new plant growth takes place without gametes being involved or without fertilisation is called apomixis. As the apomixis approach does not include gametes, there is a rare possibility of evolution. It is possible to add new characters or beneficial characters during apomixis, but usually, the new plant resembles the parent plant. Most plant species grow genetically variable seeds through the fusion of mitotically reduced egg cells and pollen grains. However, via the process of apomixis, a small portion of seed plants develop clonal, asexual seeds. A downside of apomictic seeds is that because of the lack of differences in asexual reproduction, it decreases genetic variability from parent to offspring plants. Apomixis has enormous potential worldwide to revolutionise the production of food, feed and fibre.
Significance of apomixis are:-
a) It creates progeny of seeds that are exactly the same as the mother plant. Apomixis, thus, helps to maintain good characteristics for crop plants over generations.
b) It helps with a mix of desirable characters in the development of hybrid seeds. It also eliminates the loss of a hybrid of particular characters.

Note: Apomixis was defined by Hans Winkler as replacement of the normal sexual reproduction by asexual reproduction. Male apomixis (paternal apomixis) involves the replacement of the genetic material of an egg by the genetic material of the pollen.