What is pollination

Transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigma is termed as Pollination. This transfer of pollen grains occurs with the help of pollinating agents like wind, water, insects, birds etc.

There are different types of pollination:

Autogamy

• Transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigma of the same flower
• Seen in plants which produce Chasmogamous & Cleistogamous flowers
• Chasmogamous flowers : Exposed anther & stigma
• Cleistogamous flowers : Closed flower. Anther & stigma lie very close to each other. Example: Viola, polygala

Geitonogamy

• Transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigma of another flower of same plant
• It is functionally cross-pollination, but genetically self-pollination

Xenogamy

• Transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigma of a different plant
• Genetically as well as functionally cross-pollination