Differences between Apomixis and Polyembryony

Introduction

The main distinction between apomixis and polyembryony is that apomixis refers to the production of an embryo in plants without fertilisation, whereas polyembryony refers to the development of two or more embryos from a fertilised egg.

Apomixis and polyembryony are two different forms of plant reproductive techniques. Furthermore, apomixis is an asexual kind of reproduction, whereas polyembryony is a sexual form of reproduction.

Apomixis

Apomixis is when asexual reproduction takes the place of regular sexual reproduction. It does not go through fertilisation or meiosis to produce gametes. It is the replacement of seeds from plantlets or bulbils, in other terms. As a result, the progeny is genetically identical to the mother plant. Apomixis is also known as agamospermy, which is a type of apomixis that produces clonal seeds in gymnosperms.

This sort of asexual reproduction is also known as apogamy in plants with independent gametophytes, which refers to the development of sporophytes from the gametophyte’s generative cells by parthenogenesis.

Nonrecurrent apomixis, recurrent apomixis, adventive embryony, and vegetative apomixis are the four forms of apomixis found in flowering plants. Nonrecurrent apomixis occurs when the megaspore mother cell undergoes mitosis and produces a haploid embryo.

The presence of the same number of chromosomes in the mega gametophyte’s mother plant due to incomplete meiosis is known as recurrent apomixis. Additionally, adventive embryony is the formation of embryos from the nucleus or integument cells. Vegetative apomixis, on the other hand, is the replacement of flowers with bulbils.

Polyembryony

Polyembryony occurs when a single fertilised egg produces two or more embryos. As a result, while each embryo is genetically identical to the next, none of them are genetically identical to their parents. Polyembryony differs from asexual reproduction, such as budding, and conventional sexual reproduction on this basis. Polyembryony occurs in humans as well, but at a far lower rate. This also produces identical twins.

It can also be found in plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Armadillos are a well-known example of polyembryonic animals. Hymenoptera is a parasitic wasp order that undergoes polyembryony, it is an example of polyembryony in invertebrates. Polyembryony, on the other hand, refers to a seedling that develops from a single embryo in botany. The original embryo divides into identical embryos at this point.

Significance of Apomixis and Polyembryony

Apomixis Significance

The following are the significance of apomixis:

• Apomixis aids in the rapid multiplication of genetically identical individuals in plant breeding without the possibility of segregation
• Apomictic plants aid in the preservation of genetic structure and the preservation of heterozygotes’ advantages
• Apomixis can be used in plant breeding to produce F1 hybrid seeds regularly
• Apomixis results in the creation of embryos that are free of infection
• It is also responsible for polyploidy development

Polyembryony Significance

The following are the significance of polyembryony:

• Horticulturists use polyembryony in plant breeding
• Polyembryonic nucellar embryos are disease-free and maintain their superiority for a long period
• Polyembryony aids in the propagation of citrus and mango plants, for example
• Adventive embryos are vital for producing genetically homogeneous fruit tree seedlings
• Polyembryony is a technique for producing homozygous diploids
• Polyembryony can be used to create embryos from eggs or synergids artificially

Similarities between Apomixis and Polyembryony

• Apomixis and polyembryony are two types of plant reproduction
• Both are responsible for the creation of a large number of genetically similar people
• Furthermore, they serve as alternatives to traditional asexual or sexual reproduction
• Both procedures, however, produce embryos with the same number of chromosomes as the parent

Difference between Apomixis and Polyembryony

Definition

Apomixis is asexual reproduction that happens without fertilisation and the need for meiosis, whereas polyembryony is the generation of several embryos from a single fertilised ovum or seed. As a result, the fundamental distinction between apomixis and polyembryony is this.

Types of Reproduction

Another distinction between apomixis and polyembryony is that an apomixis is an asexual form of reproduction, whereas polyembryony is a sexual form of reproduction.

Undergoing Fertilisation

Furthermore, apomixis does not experience fertilisation, whereas polyembryony does. As a result, there is a significant distinction between apomixis and polyembryony.

Formation of Seeds

Furthermore, apomixis is not involved in the formation of seeds, although polyembryony is. As a result, there is a distinction between apomixis and polyembryony.

Genetic Identity to the Parent 

Apomixis produces plants that are genetically identical to the parent, whereas polyembryony produces plants that are not genetically identical to the parent. Another distinction between apomixis and polyembryony is this.

Conclusion

Apomixis is an asexual reproduction method used by plants. It is in charge of the production of embryos that do not require fertilisation. This indicates that embryos develop from the plant’s generative tissues.

Polyembryony, on the other hand, is a type of sexual reproduction in which a fertilised egg produces two or more embryos. It also involves the production of seeds. The process of reproduction is the fundamental difference between apomixis and polyembryony.