Question

How is artificial pollination useful to plant breeders? Discuss briefly.

Answer 1

• Artificial pollination is the process in which pollination does not occur naturally but is rather influenced by humans, where they carry the pollen of the flowers to another flower and allow them to fertilize the flowers.
• In this method, the pollen grains of the desired flower is deposited on the stigma of an emasculated flower i.e a flower whose anther has been removed. Natural pollination is dependent on a large number of different factors such as the vector population (natural pollinators that help in pollination such as bees) and the climatic conditions.
• If the climatic conditions are adverse, it can negatively affect the production and transport of pollen. Pollen transport by vectors can also be negatively affected by a large number of different factors like diseases and pesticide treatment.
• Artificial pollination helps plant breeders overcome such problems. It also helps them produce a new and better variety of crops with the desired features by helping them to cross breed and pollinate.