What does androgenesis mean?
Androgenesis is a technical biological term for a reproductive mechanism in which a male gamete develops without fertilization. Its best-known application is in plant biotechnology, where male gametophytes or microspores are cultured in the laboratory to produce haploid plants; these may then be chromosome-doubled to create homozygous lines for breeding. The word is precise rather than everyday, appearing chiefly in botany, genetics, and reproductive biology. In genetic discussions, it can also describe the development of a sperm cell from an unfertilized haploid cell. The term is useful because it names a process that differs from ordinary fertilization and from the broader idea of producing male offspring. In modern plant science, androgenesis is valued for making homozygous breeding material relatively quickly, bypassing the many generations normally required to reach that state through conventional crossing and selection. It is therefore mainly a specialist term, and context is important when reading or using it.
nounThe development of a male gamete without fertilization; more commonly in plant breeding, the production of haploid plants from male gametophytes or microspores, often through anther culture.
- The production of haploid plants from male gametophytes or microspores, especially through laboratory tissue culture.
- The development of a male gamete from a haploid cell without fertilization.
"Researchers induced androgenesis in wheat anther cultures to produce haploid plants."
"Researchers used anther culture to induce androgenesis and recover doubled-haploid wheat lines."
"In androgenesis, a haploid cell develops into a sperm cell without fertilization."
Usually used as an uncountable process noun; the plural is rare and may distinguish separate instances of the process.
"The androgeneses induced from several donor plants produced different numbers of viable haploids."
In androgenesis, a pollen grain can grow into a whole plant—then become a homozygous breeding line after chromosome doubling.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
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How androgenesis is actually used
A specialized biological term used chiefly in botany, plant biotechnology, genetics, and reproductive biology. Its meaning should be determined from context because the term can refer either to laboratory production of haploid plants or to unfertilized development of a male gamete.
Easily confused with androgenesis
An androgen is a male sex hormone, whereas androgenesis is a reproductive or developmental process involving male gametes or male-derived haploid plants.