One of these statements about apomixis is incorrect

The correct option is: "Meiotic division and fertilization of gametes takes place to form a zygote"

Let us understand apomixis step-by-step to see why this statement is incorrect:

1. What is Apomixis?
Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction in plants that mimics sexual reproduction but occurs without fertilization. Through this process, plants are able to produce seeds without the fusion of male and female gametes.

2. Analysis of the Options:
• "formation of seeds without fertilization": This is the actual definition of apomixis. Therefore, this statement is correct and not the answer.
• "Seeds are genetically similar": Since there is no fusion of gametes or meiosis (which leads to genetic recombination), the offspring (seeds) produced by apomixis are genetic clones of the female parent plant. Hence, they are genetically similar, making this statement correct.
• "Meiotic division and fertilization of gametes takes place to form a zygote": In sexual reproduction, meiotic division reduces the chromosome number by half to form haploid gametes, which then fertilize to form a diploid zygote. However, in apomixis, these sexual processes (meiosis and syngamy/fertilization) are bypassed. Therefore, stating that meiotic division and fertilization take place in apomixis is scientifically incorrect.

Thus, the incorrect statement about apomixis is indeed that meiotic division and fertilization of gametes takes place to form a zygote.