Question

Differentiate between geitonogamy and xenogamy in plants. Which one between the two will lead to inbreeding depression and why?

Answer 1

Geitonogamy is the type of pollination where the flower is pollinated by another flower of the same plant. As the genetic material is the same therefore there is no cross-pollination and this is also known as genetic autonomy. This results in inbreeding depression because there is no variation.

Cross-pollination involves the transfer of pollen grains from the flower of one plant to the stigma of the flower of another plant is known as xenogamy.