Question

What is self-incompatibility? Why does self-pollination not lead to seed formation in self-incompatible species?

Answer 1

Self-incompatibility: ​

1. ​Self-incompatibility is a condition which prevents the pollen of the flower to associate with the stigma of the same flower and fertilise the female gametes.
   
2. This condition promotes cross pollination even in the presence of bisexual flowers.
   
3. This is found in orchids, tulips, cabbage, broccoli, etc.

Reason of self-incompatibility:

1. Since the male gametes from the pollen of a flower is not able to fertilise the female gamete of the same flower, due to self-incompatibility seed formation in the same flower is inhibited.
   
2. This may occur as a result of genetic factors.
3. Many a time it occurs due to the maturation of male and female whorls of the flower at different times.