Types of Pollination

Types of Pollination
The majority of flowering plants reproduce sexually i.e.,

through seed formation. We know sexual reproduction is
incomplete without fertilization. The male and female
gametes have to meet for fertilization and further
developments. Have you ever wondered how plants
ensure their continuity on earth despite their immobile
nature? Let us answer the same by having a brief
discussion on a process called pollination.
Pollination in Plants
Reproduction is the life process which helps an organism
to procreate its own offspring. There are a lot of events
involved in this. In plants, pollination is one among them.
Pollination can be defined as the pre-fertilization event
or process where pollen grains from anther are
transferred to the stigma of a flower.
Plants are immobile. Unlike animals, both male gamete
and female gamete are immobile. They can’t copulate
with each other by themselves. They need a vector for
this. Pollination is the process that helps to unite the
male and female gametes and thus helps in fertilization.
It can be broadly classified into two, cross-pollination and
self-pollination and this is achieved with the help of a
variety of vectors/agents. For successful pollinations, it
must occur between the same species.
Explore more about Pollination

Types of Self-pollination and Cross-
pollination
Pollinations can occur either within a flower or between
flowers of the same plant or flowers of different plants.
Depending on this, pollinations are of three types,
namely:
Autogamy
It is a type of self-pollination where the transfer of pollen
grains from the anther to the stigma takes place within
the same flower. Opening and exposure of anther and
stigma are necessary for autogamy. There are two
conditions for autogamy to takes place:
Anther-stigma synchronization; when the pollen is
released, stigma should be ready to receive it.
The position of or distance between anther and stigma.
Both should be close enough for pollinations.
In chasmogamous flowers, anther and stigma are
exposed. The exposed reproductive parts give a chance
of cross-pollination in chasmogamous flowers. While in
cleistogamous flowers anther and stigma are not
exposed but lie close enough for transfer. Thus, the
chances of cross-pollination in cleistogamous flowers are
almost none. In addition, they barely require a pollinating
agent.
Process of Pollination
Geitonogamy
Geitonogamy is the type of self-pollinations where the
transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma
takes place between different flowers in the same plant.
Though it seems like cross-pollination and takes place
with the help of pollinator, both the gametes have the
same plant as their origin.
Xenogamy
Xenogamy is the cross-pollination where the pollen grain
transfer occurs across flowers of two different plants. In
other words, the transfer of pollen from the anther of
one plant to the stigma of another plant.
Each type has its own merits, like xenogamy, leads to a

new variety whereas autogamy helps to preserve
parental characters. Plants have various adaptations to
accomplish this task. In addition, flowers depend on
certain pollinating agents which can either be biotic or
abiotic. These biotic and abiotic pollinating agents are
collectively termed as pollinators.
What Is Pollination?
Pollination is a biological process in which the pollen
grains are transferred from an anther (male part of a
flower) to the stigma (female part of a flower). There are
two types of pollination:
 Self-Pollination
 Cross-Pollination
What are the Pollinating Agents?
The agents which are involved in transferring the pollen
grains from one flower to another flower are called as
the Pollinating Agents. Animals, birds, insects, wind and
other biotic and abiotic agents are all examples of
Pollinating Agents.
How does Pollination occur in Plants?

There are two different types of pollinations in which the
pollen grains are transferred from one flower to another.
In both the process, pollen grains are transferred from a
stamen to the stigma of the same plant or to a flower of
different plants.
Name the plants which undergo Self-
pollinations?
Plants with smaller flowers use self-pollination. Peanuts,
wheat, apricots, rice, tomatoes are some examples of
self-pollinating plants.
What Is Self-Pollination?
Self-pollination is referred to as the primary type of
pollination, which occurs by transferring the pollen grains
directly from anther into the stigma of the same flower.
What are pollen grains?
Pollen grains are the granular microspores termed as the
micro-gametophytes produced within the anther – male
part of the flower.
What is Cross-Pollination?
Cross Pollination is referred to as the complex type of
pollination during which the pollen grains are transferred
from the anther of one flower into the stigma of another
flower.
Name the plants which undergo Cross pollinations?
Most plants use cross-pollination. Cross-pollination is
mainly seen in dark and bright colored flowering plants,
where insects like butterflies and honey bees are
attracted by their bright colored flowers. Apples, tulips,
lavender, strawberries, beans, dandelions are some
examples of plants with cross-pollination.

Types of Pollination

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Types of Pollination

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Types of Pollination

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Types of Pollination

The majority of flowering plants reproduce sexually i.e.,

Explore more about Pollination

Each type has its own merits, like xenogamy, leads to a

How does Pollination occur in Plants?

You might also like