What is polyembryony and how can it be commercially exploited ?

Occurrence of more than one embryo in a seed is referred to as polyembryony. In many citrus and mango varieties some of the nucellar cells surrounding the embryo sac start dividing, protrude into embryo sac and develop into the embryos. In such species each ovule contain many embryos.

Polyembryony plays a major role in in-breeding plant and horticulture. The plants obtained from this embryo are without virus and grow very fast.

Many food grain and vegetable crops are grown in large amount and these hybrid crops have higher productivity.