Question

What is cross-pollination? Describe its advantages and disadvantages.

Answer 1

Cross-pollination or allogamy is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the flower, borne on a separate plant of the same species.

Advantages of cross-pollination are:

1. Cross-pollination involves two genetically different plants thus, offsprings will be of new types.

2. Recombination is the result of cross-pollination, which increases heterosis (increase in vigour).

3. Two genetically different plants are involved in cross-pollination so it increases fertility.

Disadvantages of cross-pollination are:

1. Cross-pollination doesn't provide ensurity for fertilisation.

2. Cross-pollinating plants waste their lot of energy in formation of

• a large number of pollen grains.

• scent or odour

• showy, bright-coloured flowers

3. It is dependent on external agencies. If these agencies are absent, then there will be no pollination.