Question

Give the adaptations for pollination in anemophilous and hydrophilous flowers. Add a note on advantages and disadvantages of cross-pollination.

Answer 1

Adaptation for pollination in anemophilous flower:
(1) Mowers small, numerous, inconspicuous.
(2) The absence of nectar.
(3) Lack bright colours, fragrance.
(4) Petals small or highly reduced.
(5) Male flowers more than female flowers and situated at a higher level.
(6) Anthem versatile and filaments long.
(7) Pollen pains smooth, dry, light in weight.
(8) Pollen grains are produced in large numbers to compensate their wastage.

Adaptation for pollination In hydrophilous flower:
(1) Small and inconspicuous flower.
(2) Flowers without bright colours, fragrance and nectar.
(3) Florid parts and pollen grains are unwettable.
(4) Plants in which female flowers are submerged, the pollen grains have specific gravity equal to or slightly more than water. In plants with floating female flowers, a specific gravity of pollen grains is less than that of water.

Advantages of cross-pollination:
(1) New characters can be introduced.
(2) Offsprings are healthier.
(3) Harmful characters can be eliminated.
(4) Offsprings formed after cross-pollination have more adaptability.
(5) Offsprings are more resistant.

(6) New and better varieties can be produced.
Disadvantages of cross-pollination:
(1) Pollination is not always certain.
(2) Very good characters can be lost.
(3) Less economical.
(4) Undesirable characters can appear.