In case of polyembryony, if one embryo develops from the synergid and another from the nucellus, which one is haploid and which is diploid? Describe polyembryony and also mention how can it be commercially exploited.
Embryo developed from the synergid is haploid as the ploidy of the synergid is haploid.
Embryo developed from the nucellus is diploid as the ploidy of the nucellus is diploid.
The presence of more than one embryo in a seed is called polyembryony, e.g. lemon, groundnut, etc.
Polyembryony plays a main role in plant breeding and horticulture. The plantlets obtained from these embryos are virus-free and have more vigour. Hybrid varieties of several food and vegetable crops are being extensively cultivated and these hybrid cultivars possess high productivity.