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Sexual Propagation - Seed Structure



What does the term apomixis mean and what is its significance in seed propagation?

Apomixis is defined as the production of a sporophyte in the seed which bypasses the usual process of meiosis and fertiliztion. This results in the production of clonal seedling plants.


What is the definition of breeding true?

  • producing progeny identical to the parent in at least one characteristic
  • implies the loci that control the trait(s) are homozygous


Define the term cultivar.

  • a cultivated variety developed by selection and/or breeding
  • a population of plants that share distinguishing characteristics but that are distinguishable from other cultivars


What does heterozygous mean?

Heterozygous refers to having two different (dominant & recessive alleles at a given locus.


Explain the term hybrid vigor.

Hybrid vigor is a condition where the progeny of a cross (the hybrid) displays greater height, yield, resistance, etc. than the parents; or the superiority of the heterozygote (hybrid) with respect to the parents.


Define the term phenotype.

Phenotype is the external appearance of a plant determined by an interaction between the plant's genotype and the environment in which it is found.