APOMIXIS

INTRODUCTION
The term apomixis was coined by Hacke(1893) and defined by Winkler (1908). Apo = away from and mixis = act of mixing Replacement of the normal sexual reproduction by asexual reproduction, without fertilization. Common in families Rosaceae, Poaceae and Asteraceae. Genetically identical to each other and to the mother plant, leading to the formation of clonal populations.

MANGOSTEEN

TARAXACUM

CUPRESSUS DUPREZIANA

POTENTILLA ARGENTEA

POA PRATENSIS

BRACHIARIA DECUMBENS

BLACKBERRIES

ALCHORNEA ILICIFOLIA

PASPALUM DILATATUM

PANICUM MAXIMUM

TYPES OF APOMIXIS
Nonrecurrent apomixis Recurrent apomixis Adventive embryony Vegetative apomixis

GAMETOPHYTIC APOMIXIS
In gametophytic apomixis,an egg cell develops parthenogenetically from an unreduced embryo sac, producing only maternal-type offspring. It is of 2 types Diplospory Apospory

BAHIAGRASS

SPOROPHYTIC APOMIXIS
Adventitious embryony does not have a gametophytic stage but only a sporophytic stage, and it is connected with parthenogenesis. Embryos develop from somatic cells of the nucellus or integument.

IDENTIFICATION OF APOMIXIS
Uniform progeny from a single plant is an indicator. Maternal type progeny appears in the F1; thus, no genetic variation is expected in the F2 In crosses between a recessive genotype as a female parent and dominant genotype as a male, exclusively recessive genotype is obtained. A high degree of polyploidy is usually associated with apomixis and is constant from parent to the progeny. Multiple embryos, seedlings, stigmas, and ovules suggest an indication of apomixis .

TRIPSACUM

ELYMUS

DESCHAMPSIA CESPITOSA

SIGNIFICANCE
Rapid development of new hybrid varieties Economic hybrid seed production Propagation of hybrid seed Resistance against pathogens Handling of propagation material Increased reproduction efficiency

GUINEA GRASS

REFERENCES
Audrey Darrigues, Jessie Daub, Kristen McCord, Chris Rasmussen and Jim Rouse. Genetic Analysis of Apomixis. http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mbhattac/bhattacharyya/G enetics.pdf. Peggy ozias-akins.2006.apomixis developmental characteristics and genetics. Critical reviews in plant sciences 25(2).pg:199-214. Ram j. singh.2003. Plant Cytogenetics .CRC Press, washington D.C.Pg:94-103 Ramulu, K.S.,Sharma, V.K., Naumova,T.N., Dijkhuis,P., and van Lookercn Campagne,M.N.Apomixis for crop improvement. Protoplasma (1999) 208:196-205

REFERENCES
Ross A. Bicknell and Anna M. Koltunow.2004.Understanding Apomixis: Recent Advances and Remaining Conundrums. The Plant Cell June. vol. 16. Ross A. Bicknell and katie B.Bicknell.1999.who will benefit from apomixis.biotechnology and development monitor 37.p:17-20 Vera T.C.carneiro,Diva M.A.dusi,JuanpabloA.ortiz. Apomixis: occurance, Applications and improvements. http://www17.plala.or.jp/gsbjapan/images/Vol1_sample.pdf( 31.10.2012).