Self-Pollination and Cross Pollination Difference
Types of pollination : Pollination is of two types –
(i) Self pollination : It is the process of transfer of the pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of either the same or genetically similar flower .
(ii) Cross pollination : It is the process of transfer of the pollen grains from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower borne on a different
plant of the same species. The transfer of pollen grains occurs through various ways, which may be biotic or abiotic.
Here we have discussed some important difference between self pollination and cross pollination.
| Self-Pollination | Cross-Pollination |
|---|---|
| Pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma of the same flower | Pollen grains are transferred from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower borne on a different plant of the same species (allogamy). |
| (autogamy) or another flower borne on the same plant (geitonogamy). | It occurs only when the flowers are open. |
| It can occur even when the flowers are closed. | An external agent abiotic or biotic,is essential for cross-pollination. |
| External agent is not required for self-pollination | Cross-pollination produces the offsprings which are hybrids i.e., heterozygous.They show variations in characteristics. |
| Self-pollination ultimately results in same progenies which are pure-lines i.e. homozygous. | It can eliminate useless or harmful characters. |
| It cannot eliminate useless or harmful characters. | Useful characters cannot be preserved in the progenies. |
| Highly useful characters get preserved in the race. | Cross-pollination introduce variations in the offsprings. These variations make these plants |
| Self-pollination does not introduce any variations and hence the offsprings are unable to adapt to the changed environment | to adapt better to the changed environment for the struggle for existence. |
| Self-pollination never helps in the production of new varieties and species. | Cross-pollination is a mechanism of producing new varieties and species among plants. |
| Both the anther and stigmas mature simultaneously | The anthers and stigmas mature at different times. |
Also we have discussed important difference in biology for class 10 : Class 10 Biology Notes