Question

Differentiate between the following:

Self pollination and cross pollination.

Answer 1

Self pollination

1. The pollen grains are transferred from anther to stigma of the same flower or different flowers present on the same plant.
2. Pollinating agents are not required.
3. Hardly any variation is seen.
4. It is seen in potato, pea, sunflower, wheat, etc.
5. The flowers are generally small producing small number of pollen grains.

Cross pollination

1. The pollen grains are transferred from anther to stigma of another flower present on a different plant of same specie.
2. External pollinating agents are required.
3. Variation occurs in the next generations.
4. It is seen in apple, pear, strawberry, daffodil etc.
5. The flowers are bright with long stamens and pistils producing large number of pollen grains.