Seedless Watermelon Seeds? The Genetics of Seedless Food

Summary

Seedless watermelons are produced through chromosome genetics. They are not completely seed-free; they may contain small, undeveloped seed structures.

How seedless watermelons are produced

1. A seed company starts with two seeded watermelon plants:
   • A diploid plant, with two sets of chromosomes.
   • A tetraploid plant, with four sets of chromosomes.
2. The diploid plant pollinates the tetraploid plant, and seeds from the tetraploid parent are saved.
3. Those seeds grow into triploid plants, which have three sets of chromosomes.
4. Triploid plants produce flowers that can be pollinated, prompting the plants to grow fruit.
5. Because three sets of chromosomes cannot divide evenly to form viable gametes, the seeds in the fruit fail to develop fully.
6. The watermelon still grows and can be harvested and eaten despite its undeveloped seeds.

Speaker

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