…FRUITS COME FROM FLOWERS’ OVARIES? The ovary is the internal structure in the flower where the ovules (reproductive cells) are. When fertilized by pollen, these cells become the seeds of the fruits.

…THE PHENOMENON THAT ENABLES THE PRODUCTION OF SEEDLESS FRUITS IS CALLED PARTHENOCARPY? In this process, the flower does not need to be pollinated to produce a fruit.

…THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PARTHENOCARPY: NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL? Seedless fruits can occur due to a genetic mutation, that is, through a natural process. In artificial parthenocarpy, producers apply plant hormones to stimulate the formation of fruits without seeds.

…EDIBLE BANANAS ARE PARTHENOCARPIC FRUITS? The little black spots inside the banana are not seeds, but unfertilized ovules. Wild banana trees yield fruits with large seeds and almost no pulp.

…NAVEL ORANGES, LIMES, AND PINEAPPLES ARE SEEDLESS FRUITS? …IT IS POSSIBLE TO ARTIFICIALLY PRODUCE SEEDLESS WATERMELONS, AVOCADOS, PAPAYAS, AND GRAPES? Despite the name, artificial parthenocarpic fruits are not necessarily harmful to health if consumed.

Consultants: Davi Theodoro Junghans, researcher in genetic improvement and phytopathology (pineapple), and Janay Almeida dos Santos-Serejo, genetic improvement and cell biology researcher (banana).

SOURCES: EMBRAPA, CULTIVANDO, GLOBO RURAL, AND MICHAELIS.

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