Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther (male reproductive part) to the stigma (female reproductive part) of a flower, leading to fertilization and the production of seeds.
The two types of pollination are:
- Self-pollination: In self-pollination, the transfer of pollen grains occurs from the anther of the same flower to the stigma of the same flower or to another flower of the same plant. This can be facilitated by wind, gravity, or insects.
- Cross-pollination: In cross-pollination, the transfer of pollen grains occurs from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower of a different plant of the same species. This is usually facilitated by various agents.
Different agents involved in cross-pollination are:
- Insects: Insects such as bees, butterflies, moths, and flies are attracted to flowers by their colors, fragrance, and nectar. As they visit the flowers to collect nectar, pollen grains get attached to their bodies, which are then transferred to the stigma of another flower of the same species.
- Wind: In some plants, flowers produce large amounts of pollen grains that are light and small. These pollen grains are carried by the wind and are deposited on the stigma of another flower of the same species.
- Water: In some aquatic plants, pollen grains are carried by water to reach the stigma of another flower of the same species.
- Birds and bats: Some plants have flowers that are adapted to attract birds and bats, which feed on the nectar. These animals carry the pollen grains on their bodies and transfer them to the stigma of another flower of the same species.
