Question

Artificial application of auxins like IAA, IBA unpollinated pistils can form (a) fruits with much flesh (b) larger fruits (c) sweet fruits (d) seedless fruits.

Short answer

The artificial application of auxins like IAA and IBA to unpollinated pistils can lead to the formation of (d) seedless fruits.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Auxins

Auxins are a class of plant hormones that play a crucial role in the coordination of many growth and behavioral processes in the plant's life cycle, including the stimulation of fruit growth.

Recognizing the Effects of Artificial Auxin Application

Artificial application of auxins to unpollinated pistils can induce the formation of fruits without fertilization, a process known as parthenocarpy. This can lead to the development of fruits with altered characteristics.

Identifying the Type of Fruits Formed

When auxins like IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid) and IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) are applied to unpollinated pistils, they stimulate the fruit to develop without seeds since there is no fertilization occurring.

Key concepts

Auxins in Plant Growth

Auxins are naturally occurring plant hormones instrumental in coordinating various processes vital to plant development. Among their key roles, auxins help in cell elongation, which is critical for plant growth. For instance, they are involved in the elongation of stems, formation of roots, and differentiation of cells.

Auxins are produced in the stem tips and move downward to the areas where their action is needed. However, their movement is not straightforward—it's directed by the plant's needs and environmental stimuli. This targeted approach allows plants to direct growth in a beneficial manner, such as growing towards light or gravity.

The presence of auxins is also fundamental in the development of fruit. In the absence of fertilization, auxins can stimulate certain cells to divide and grow, which can eventually lead to fruit formation, a concept further explored in the artificial application of these hormones.

Artificial Application of Auxins

The use of auxins in agriculture has become a pivotal tool in managing plant growth and fruit development.

Artificial Auxins and Their Uses

Auxins such as Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) can be synthetically produced and applied to plants to manipulate growth patterns and crop yields. When applied to unpollinated pistils, these artificial auxins can induce fruit enlargement, increase fleshiness, and sometimes even alter the fruit's sweetness.

Parthenocarpy Induction

The application of these hormones can lead to parthenocarpy, the process of fruit development without fertilization. This technique is beneficial when environmental conditions are not conducive to natural pollination or when seedless fruit is desired.

As such, auxins are crucial for enhancing certain agricultural practices, especially in fruit production where size, fleshiness, and the absence of seeds can be desirable traits.

Development of Seedless Fruits

The pursuit of seedless fruits, such as certain varieties of grapes, watermelons, and oranges, has led to the artificial application of auxins. These fruits are known for their commercial value and consumer preference.

Seedless fruits are developed through the process of parthenocarpy, where fruits grow to maturity without the need for seed formation. The artificial application of auxins stimulates the ovary of a flower to develop into a fruit without undergoing the typical fertilization process. For consumers, seedless fruits mean convenience and for growers, it means meeting market demand.

By understanding and harnessing this process, we can obtain crops that are consistent with market standards while also enhancing certain aspects of the fruit, such as size and texture. This manipulation has significant implications for the agricultural industry, promoting efficiency and possibly leading to increased fruit yields.