(a) Write one way by which apomictic seeds can be developed. (b) Why do farmers prefer apomictic seeds over hybrid seeds?

In some species (Asteraceae and grasses) the diploid egg cell is formed without reduction division and develop into an embryo without fertilization such are apomictic seeds. / Some of the nucellar cells surrounding the embryo sac starts dividing and protrude into the embryo sac and develop into an embryo.

In Apomictic seeds there will be no segregation of the hybrid characters in the progeny plants so farmers can keep on using the hybrid seeds to raise new crop year after year / If hybrid seeds are made apomictic the farmer need not to buy hybrid seeds every year hence they are cost effective.