Abortive flower

Abortion in flowers and developing fruits is a common occurrence in plants.

It could be because of the order of pollination, the number of developing seeds, pollen source, or some combination of these.

[6] Flowers and fruits can also abort because of outside causes like insufficient light, unsuitable photo-period, high temperature, nutrient deficiency, ethylene, drought stress.

[8] There is research to suggest that random selective abortions based on the timing of fertilization could increase the genetic quality of seeds.

[10] Plants have also been found to selectively abort seeds and fruit as a means of defense against herbivorous insects.