Question

What is self-pollination? Mention its merits and demerits.

Answer 1

The transfer of pollen grains from the stamen to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant is called self-pollination

Merits of self- pollination

1. In self- pollination, there is no diversity in the genes and therefore the purity of the race is maintained.

2. The plants do not depend on external factors for pollination and even smaller quantities of pollen grains produce have a good success rate in getting pollinated.

3. Self- pollination ensures that recessive characters are eliminated.

Demerits of self- pollination

1. Since there is no mixing up of genes, there are no new characters or features that are introduced into the lineage of the offsprings.

2. Self- pollination is said to reduce the vigour and vitality of the race as there are no new features introduced.

3. Without new characters introduced, the resultant off springs immunity to diseases reduces.