2026 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 33-45
Double fertilization is an innovative mechanism and trait of sexual reproduction acquired by flowering plants (angiosperms). This process must have played a pivotal role in the survival strategies and evolutionary success of flowering plants, while also being essential for human development through its contribution to food production. As a fundamental biological mechanism, double fertilization is widely recognized and taught, even at the high school level, underscoring its importance not only to researchers but also to the general public. On the other hand, although the phenomenon was first reported in 1898 and confirmed in many flowering plants subsequently, it has taken a long time to elucidate its molecular mechanism. Our understanding of cellular dynamics and molecular basis of double fertilization is progressing, and it is anticipated that the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms may not be far from being elucidated. In this review, we address frequently asked questions about double fertilization, provide an overview of the current understanding of its molecular and cellular mechanisms, and discuss key challenges and future directions at the forefront of research in this field.
