Figure 6

The proposed model indicating the role of carpelloid structures (CLS) in parthenocarpic fruit development. Genotypes have genetic potential for parthenocarpic fruit set, which becomes only expressed in the absence of fertilization. Abnormal ovules may convert into carpelloid structures; however, growth of carpelloid structures only becomes prominent in the absence of fertilization/seed initiation, as developing seeds suppress the growth of carpelloid structures. The carpelloid structures mimic the role of seeds and support parthenocarpic fruit growth. (solid lines represent our experimental findings and dashed lines represent likely routes).