• All living organisms reproduce.

Similarly, plants also reproduce through the

method of pollination. Pollination is the process of the transfer of pollen
grains from the anther of one flower to sigma of another. When pollen is
exchanged between flowers, seeds are produced. Seeds carry the genetic
information required to grow a new plant.

• Pollination is very important as it promotes the creation of new compounds that

may be valuable in food or medicine as it enhances the variety within plant
species. The process leads to the development of fruits, seeds, and subsequent
plants used in agriculture and for livestock feed. It also helps to maintain and
promote diversity within and across native plant species
 Types of pollination

Self-pollination occurs when pollen grains are

transferred from the anther of one flower of a

plant to the stigma in the same flower of the

same plant. It can also occur when pollen grains

are transferred from the anther of one flower of

one plant to the stigma of another flower but of

the same plant. During self-pollination, the eggs

and pollens of the same flower share the same

genetic information which leads to a reduction in

genetic diversity.
•
• Advantages of Self-Pollination
- Less wastage of pollen grains as compared to cross-pollination.
- It doesn’t rely on any pollinators like bees, water, wind, etc.
- They require less effort than plants as they don’t need pollinators.
- It ensures that even a small quantity of produced pollens from plants
can achieve a good success rate in the population.
• Disadvantages of Self-Pollination
- Seeds will be less in number.
- Due to reduced genetic diversity, the offspring will have less
immunity to diseases.
Cross-pollination occurs when pollen
grains are transferred from the anther
of one flower of one plant to the stigma
of another flower of another plant.
During cross-pollination, the eggs and
pollens will share their different genetic
information which leads to an increase in
genetic diversity. While combining the
different genetic information the
offspring will become unique.
• Advantages of Cross-Pollination

- New varieties of crops and plants can be formed.

- Offspring will be healthier as there is an increase in genetic
diversity during cross-pollination.

• Disadvantages of Cross-Pollination
- More wastage of pollen grains as compared to self-pollination.
 Agents of pollination or pollinators

As pollen cannot transfer itself, pollinating agents play an important role.

Some of the agents of pollination are birds or insects that carry pollen
from one plant to another. These agents are also known as pollinators. The
factors causing pollination can be divided into two types: abiotic or non-living
agents and biotic or living agents.
1.Abiotic factors– agents that use physical forces. For example- wind, water,
rain, etc.
2.Biotic factors – agents that work with living organisms. For example-
insects such as bees, butterflies, etc.