Glossary

Fertilization in plant reproduction is the union of reproductive cells following successful pollen-tube growth. It differs from fertilizing a tree with nutrients, even though everyday language uses similar words. In mangoes it leads to development of a sexually produced embryo and supports normal seed and fruit development. Pollination can occur without successful fertilization, and a fertilized flower can still lose its fruitlet later. Consider these separate stages when asking why a heavily flowering tree did not produce a crop.