POLLINATION

What is pollination?
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anthers to the
stigma. Its necessary if seeds are to be formed.

Types of pollination.

1. Self pollination.
This is the transfer of pollen grains from the anthers of a flower to the
stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant.
2. Cross pollination.

This is the transfer of pollen grains from the anthers of a flower to the
stigma of another flower of another plant but of the same kind.

Cross pollination carried out by a bee cross pollination carried out by wind
Agents of pollination.

These are the factors, things or ways which allow pollination

to take place.

-The two most common agents are wind and insects.

-Water, birds and bats are also known to carry out pollination.
Insects.
Characteristics of insect pollinated flowers.
1.They are large and seen easily.
2.They have large brightly colored petals.
3.They have a scent or nice smell.
4.They have nectar which is produced by rectories at the base of the
petals.
5.They have a broad sticky stigma.
6. They have large rough and heavy pollen grains.

*Insects are able to pollinate flowers as they visit them to collect nectar,
they rub themselves on the anthers , when they visit another flower, the
pollen grain is transferred to the stigma and pollination talks place*
Wind.
Characteristics of wind pollinated flowers.
1.The flowers are small and not easily seen.
2.The petals have dull colors.
3.They do not produce nectar.
4. They produce a lot of pollen grains because a lot of it is wasted as
it falls on the wrong parts or grass.
5.They have small, smooth and light pollen grains which can easily
be blown by wind.
6.The flowers do not have ascent or smell.
Water.
Some plants are pollinated by water. The pollen grains float on the water surface
until they find the stigma of a water plant.

Animals.
Some fruit eating animals carry out pollination when pollen sticks to their hairy
bodies as they eat fruits. When they move to eat fruits else where they transfer
this pollen to another plant.

Birds.
Pollen also sticks to the birds’ feathers and when they move to other plants they
transfer this pollen.