Cross Pollination

Cross Pollination is a process that occurs when pollen from one flower is transferred to the pistils of another flower. This occurs between flowers on different plants of the same species. Unlike self-pollination, cross-pollination involves the exchange of genetic material between different individuals. Cross pollination requires pollinating agents like insects, bees, birds,etc. Cross- pollination can be further divided into following types:

Also Read: The Structure and Functions of Pistil

Entomophily (Insect Pollination)

Entomophily, or insect pollination, is a type of pollination where insects such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and flies distribute pollen from plants. Flowers that are pollinated by insects are often brightly colored and have fragrance and produce nectar. Insects are attracted to these flowers by their color and scent. Some examples of crop plants that are pollinated by bees include: Cotton, Sunflower, Flax, Lychee.

Anemophily (Wind Pollination)

Anemophily, or wind pollination, is a method of pollination that uses air currents to transfer pollen. Anemophilous flowers are usually small and inconspicuous, and do not possess a scent or produce nectar. Plants that are pollinated by winds release large quantities of lightweight, airborne pollen. Almost all gymnosperms are anemophilous including grasses (like corn and wheat), sedges, and rushes.

Zoophily (Animal Pollination)

Zoophily, also known as zoogamy, is a type of pollination where animals such as Birds, bats, and small mammals transfer pollen. Plants that pollinate through this method have flowers with hairy pollen grains that stick to the bodies of animals. It is a mutually beneficial process for both plants and animals. Examples: Hummingbirds are bird pollinators, and bats play a role in pollinating some night-blooming flowers.

Hydrophily (Water Pollination)

Hydrophily is a type of pollination that occurs when water acts as the agent of pollination. Plants that are pollinated by water are small and inconspicuous, have long, sticky, but unwettable stigma, light and unwettable pollen grains due to mucilage cover and do not contain nectar or any fragrance. Examples: Some submerged aquatic plants, like Seagrasses, Hydrilla, Vallisneria, Zosteria, Water hyacinth, Water lily rely on water for pollination.

Ornithophily (Bird Pollination)

Ornithophily, also known as bird pollination, is the process of birds transferring pollen from the anther to the stigma of a flower.  Flowers pollinated by birds have bright colored petals, produce large amounts of nectar, and have tubular shapes to accommodate the beaks of birds. Examples of bird pollinators include hummingbirds and sunbirds, they pollinate certain species of fuchsia or salvia.

Chiropterophily (Bat Pollination)

Chiropterophily is a type of pollination that occurs when bats pollinate flowers. The flowers that are pollinated by bats are called chiropterophilous flowers. It is most common in tropical and desert areas, where many plants bloom at night. The flowers that are pollinated by bats are often white or dull in color, open at night, and have a musty or rotten smell. They are also rich in nectar. Examples: Agave plants are often pollinated by bats.

Advantages of Cross Pollination

Various advantages of cross pollination are:

• Cross-pollination between two different varieties of the same species, or even two species, results in new varieties that produces healthy offsprings.
• Seeds are produced in more significant quantities and have high strength and survivability.
• Genetic recombination during fertilization causes the hereditary traits in the lineage to disappear.
• Cross-pollination brings about variation in species. Variation brings new traits to the plant which may be advantageous to the plant. For example, it helps the new plant to defend against diseases.

Disadvantages of Cross Pollination

Some disadvantages of cross pollination are:

• Cross-pollination can introduce undesirable traits.
• A large amount of pollen must be produced to ensure pollination, which results in a lot of waste.
• Pollination may fail due to distance.
• Pollination is not always certain because a pollinator is always required.
• There is a chance of genetic recombination, which can lead to the elimination of good qualities of the parent.

Also Read: Difference Between Pollination and Fertilization 

Pollination is transferring pollen from the male anther to the female stigma of a plant. It forms an essential part of the plant reproduction process that leads to fertilization and the production of seeds. There are two types of pollination: Self-pollination and cross-pollination. The other types of pollination include Entomophily, Ornithophily, Geitonogamy, Chiropterophily, Hydrophily, and Zoophily. Various pollinating agents that carry the pollen grain are wind, water, insects, birds, bees, and animals. In this article, we will study pollination, its Types, pollinating agents, and its advantages and disadvantages.