Why no parthenocarpy in pomegranate?

Pomegranate does exhibit parthenocarpy, the development of fruit without fertilization. In fact, many commercial pomegranate varieties, such as 'Wonderful' and 'Bhagwa', are known for their ability to produce seedless fruits through parthenocarpy. However, the extent of parthenocarpy can vary among different pomegranate cultivars and environmental conditions.

Some pomegranate cultivars, such as 'Wonderful', are more prone to parthenocarpy than others. In these cultivars, the flowers can develop into fruit without the need for pollination and fertilization. The resulting fruits are seedless and have a larger size compared to seeded fruits. However, in certain environmental conditions, such as low temperatures or water stress, even these cultivars may produce fewer seedless fruits or even develop seeds.

Other pomegranate cultivars, such as 'Bhagwa', require pollination and fertilization for fruit set. In these cultivars, the flowers must be pollinated by insects or other means to produce viable seeds. Without pollination, the fruit development is limited or may not occur at all.

Furthermore, environmental factors such as temperature, light, and water availability can influence the occurrence of parthenocarpy in pomegranate. For example, high temperatures and water stress can reduce the fruit set and seedlessness in some cultivars.

Therefore, while pomegranate does exhibit parthenocarpy, the extent of seedlessness can vary depending on the cultivar and environmental conditions. Some cultivars are more prone to parthenocarpy and produce seedless fruits consistently, while others require pollination and fertilization for fruit development.