What is the advantage/function of triploidy in endosperm tissue of seeds?
THE ENDOSPERM nucleus, after ‘double fertilisation’, is triploid (having two nuclei from the mother and one from the father of the embryo). The endosperm’s function is to surround and control the nourishment of the new embryo. This is therefore being done by genetic contributions from both parents. The reason for the greater bias to maternal control is unclear, but rivalry between male parent contributions may be part of the possible explanation. Different fathers are competing for their own offspring and the conflict may be resolved in part by a stronger maternal contribution. This is currently an area of much research in plant genomics. A similar answer is here.
