Seedless fruit and methods of Parthenocarpy

Abstract

Growing containers were prepared using potting soil with 1:2 Vermiculite and fertilizer pellets. Two Brassica rapa seeds were then added to each container. Containers were placed in continuous artificial light and organized into 5 rows of 3. Artificial light is created using fluorescent light bulbs, which remain on throughout the entire period of the experiment (Figure 1.). Using the Standard Stock Brassica rapa, the flowering of each plant took approximately two weeks from planting. Fifteen plants used in this experiment: 3 were cross-pollinated, 3 were exposed to IAA, 3 were exposed to IBA, 3 were exposed to NAA, and 3 were given no hormone for use as controls. Once all of the plants have flowered, and the buds have opened, the parthenocarpy procedure must be initiated: in the experimental hormone groups the male organs are removed, and the petals and sepals discarded (Figure 2). The emasculating of the reproductive organs ensures that there will be no pollination. The parthenocarpy procedure was not performed on the pollination group. A hormone/ lanolin preparation was made in the following concentrations: IAA (5000 ppm), IBA (5000 ppm), and NAA (5000 ppm). A sterile wooden toothpick was used to dab the premixed hormone/lanolin onto the stigma. 0.5 mg of pre-prepared hormone/lanolin was applied onto every stigma of one container of the corresponding group of plants. 1.0 mg of hormone/ lanolin was applied to the corresponding groups of plants. Pure lanolin, without hormone, was applied to the control group of plants. The purpose of the lanolin is to prevent hormones or pollen produced by the other plants from altering the results of the control group. The two pollination group plants were cross pollinated using a separate bee-stick for each. The growth of each group was observed over time, and any significant difference in the rate of fruit growth was recorded. When the fruits were large enough to examine for seeds, all fruits were removed from the plant and analyzed when dry.