What is apomixis? What is its importance?

* Production of seeds without involvement of meiosis and fertilisation is called apomixis.
* The diploid egg cell is formed without reduction division and develops into the embryo without fertilisation.
Eg : Some species of Asteraceae and grasses
Importance of apomixis :
* The desirable characters are not segregated. (separated)
* Superior and desirable characters can be maintained for many generations.
* It is very useful in commercial hybrid seed production.