Parthenogenesis is a form of vegetative propagation in which an unfertilized egg develops into an embryo. It is therefore maternal in origin. Parthenogenesis occurs during meiosis and can result in a haploid or double haploid embryo. If somatic doubling occurs (chromosomes in the egg double but do not divide) then the embryo will be diploid, if not, then the resulting embryo will be haploid.
Embryos can be developed by parthenogenesis two different ways. The first is by apospory where the embryo can be produced by a cell from the female parent.
The second is through diplospory, where an embryo can develop from a diploid spore from the megaspore mother cell.
Parthenogenesis has been used in breeding peppers and corn. However anther culture has proven to be more effective for these specie's. Parthenogenesis occurs in low frequencies because it cannot be induced. The inefficiencies of screening for embryos, and the problems associated with doubling chromosomes make it more worthwhile to study, anther or microspore culture.
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