INTRODUCTION
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from an anther of a plant to the stigma of a plant, later
enabling fertilisation and the production of seeds, most often by an animal or by wind.[1] Pollinating
agents can be animals such as insects, birds, and bats; water; wind; and even plants themselves,
when self-pollination occurs within a closed flower. Pollination often occurs within a species. When
pollination occurs between species, it can produce hybrid offspring in nature and in plant
breeding work.
SELF POLLINATION
Self-pollination is a form of pollination in which pollen from the same plant arrives at the stigma of a
flower (in flowering plants) or at the ovule (in gymnosperms). There are two types of self-pollination:
in autogamy, pollen is transferred to the stigma of the same flower; in geitonogamy, pollen is
transferred from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower on the same flowering plant,
or from microsporangium to ovule within a single (monoecious) gymnosperm. Some plants have
mechanisms that ensure autogamy, such as flowers that do not open (cleistogamy), or stamens that
move to come into contact with the stigma.
Few plants self-pollinate without the aid of pollen vectors (such as wind or insects). The mechanism
is seen most often in some legumes such as peanuts. In another legume, soybeans, the flowers
open and remain receptive to insect cross pollination during the day. If this is not accomplished, the
flowers self-pollinate as they are closing. Among other plants that can self-pollinate are many kinds
of orchids, peas, sunflowers and tridax. Most of the self-pollinating plants have small, relatively
inconspicuous flowers that shed pollen directly onto the stigma, sometimes even before the bud
opens. Self-pollinated plants expend less energy in the production of pollinator attractants and can
grow in areas where the kinds of insects or other animals that might visit them are absent or very
scarce—as in the Arctic or at high elevations.
CROSS POLLINATION
Cross-pollination, also called allogamy, occurs when pollen is delivered from the stamen of one
flower to the stigma of a flower on another plant of the same species. [7] Plants adapted for cross-
pollination have several mechanisms to prevent self-pollination; the reproductive organs may be
arranged in such a way that self-fertilisation is unlikely, or the stamens and carpels may mature at
different times.[7]
WIND POLLINATION
Anemophily or wind pollination is a form of pollination whereby pollen is distributed by wind.
[1]
Almost all gymnosperms are anemophilous, as are many plants in the order Poales,
including grasses, sedges, and rushes.[1] Other common anemophilous plants
are oaks, pecans, pistachios, sweet chestnuts, alders and members of the
family Juglandaceae (hickory or walnut family).[2] Approximately 12% of plants across the globe are
pollinated by anemophily, including cereal crops like rice and corn and other prominent crop plants
like wheat, rye, barley, and oats.[3] In addition, many pines, spruces, and firs are wind-pollinated.[2]
INSECT POLLINATION
Entomophily or insect pollination is a form of pollination whereby pollen of plants, especially but
not only of flowering plants, is distributed by insects. Flowers pollinated by insects typically advertise
themselves with bright colours, sometimes with conspicuous patterns (honey guides) leading to
rewards of pollen and nectar; they may also have an attractive scent which in some
cases mimics insect pheromones. Insect pollinators such as bees have adaptations for their role,
such as lapping or sucking mouthparts to take in nectar, and in some species also pollen baskets on
their hind legs. This required the coevolution of insects and flowering plants in the development of
pollination behaviour by the insects and pollination mechanisms by the flowers, benefiting both
groups. Both the size and the density of a population are known to affect pollination and subsequent
reproductive performance. [
WATER POLLINATION
Hydrophily is a fairly uncommon form of pollination whereby pollen is distributed by the flow
of waters, particularly in rivers and streams. Hydrophilous species fall into two categories: (i) Those
that distribute their pollen to the surface of water. e.g. Vallisneria's male flower or pollen grain are
released on the surface of water, which are passively carried away by water currents; some of them
eventually reach the female flower (ii) Those that distribute it beneath the surface. e.g. seagrasses in
which female flower remain submergered in water and pollen grains are released inside the water.
ARTIFICIAL POLLINATION
In this type of pollination, we use a mechanical method by which we
carry pollen or plant sperm from one flower to another flower. This
enables the pollen to fertilise the ovaries and create seeds that
develop into fruits and new plants. With the decreasing number of
bees, artificial pollination is more in trend. If we take the example of
China, 100% plants are pollinated artificially. So, we can see that
artificial pollination is beneficial.
