Q. In date palm, the size of fruits and maturity time depend upon

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Solution:


Pollination is the process of transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the flower, results in the formation of fruits and seeds and fertilization of the egg cell and polar nuclei.
But in some cases, pollen grains have a direct influence on the matured tissues of the fruits such as the size of fruit or the maturity of the fruit.
This phenomenon of influence of pollen grain in matured fruits is known as metaxenia.
Metaxenia is observed in date palm commonly. This can affect the size, quality, maturing time, etc. of the fruits.
The direct effect of pollen on embryonic and endospermic tissues is known as Xenia.
Date palms are dioecious in nature which means that both their male and female flowers are present on different plants.
Due to their dioecious nature, always cross-pollination occurs in these plants. Cross-pollination results in the plant getting pollinated by a foreign pollen grain.
This is the reason for metaxenia to take place on date palms. Bees are the most important pollinators of the date palms.
Date flowers are formed inside the spathe. A spathe is a sheath-like structure that encloses the flowers. The spathe bursts open to expose the floral branches for pollination to occur.