Difference Between Cross-Pollination And Self Pollination

Cross-pollination and Self-pollination are part of the reproductive process of the plants. Pollination involves the transfer of pollen from the male reproductive part(anther) to the female reproductive part (stigma) of a flower. Cross-pollination occurs in plants that are genetically different and promotes genetic diversity while self-pollination occurs in the genetically same plants and it limits the genetic variation.

Table of Content

• Difference between Self pollination and cross pollination
• Self-pollination Vs Cross-pollination Diagram
• What is self pollination?
• What is cross pollination?
• Similarities between self pollination and cross pollination
• FAQs on self pollination and cross pollination.

Difference Between Self-Pollination and Cross-Pollination

The difference between Self-Pollination and Cross-Pollination are as follows:

Characteristics	Self-Pollination	Cross-Pollination
Pollen Transfer	Pollen grains are transferred to the stigma of the same flower	Pollen grains are transferred to the stigma of the different flower
Pollinator	No external aid is required pollen is directly transferred	Pollen grains are transferred with the help of an insect and wind
Occurrence	It occurs in a flower that is genetically the same	It occurs in flowers that are genetically different
Pollen Transfer	A limited amount of pollen grains are produced	Large quantities of pollen grains are produced
Anther and Stigma	In self pollination anther and stigma matures at the same time.	In cross pollination anther and stigma matures at different time.
Genetic diversity	Genetic diversity decreases and genetic uniformity increases.	Genetic diversity increases.
Gene Pool	Reduces the gene pool	Maintains the gene pool
Breeding	Results in inbreeding	Results in outbreeding
Progeny	Homozygous is produced in progeny	Heterozygous is produced in progeny
Quantity	A limited number of pollens are transferred	Large quantities of pollen are transferred
Breeding	Causes inbreeding	Causes outbreeding
External conditions	It can be carried out whether the flower is open or closed	It can occurs only when the flower is open
Examples	It can be observed in sunflowers, peas, orchids, and peanuts	It can be observed in plums, tulips, strawberries, and raspberries

Self-pollination Vs Cross-pollination Diagram

What is Self Pollination?

Self-pollination is a type of pollination in which pollen grains are transferred to the stigma or the ovule of the same plant. In some self-pollination processes an external aid such as wind or insect is required. Additionally, there are two types of self-pollination i.e. Autogamy and Geitonofamay. Autogamy occurs within the same flower by transfer of pollen from anther to the stigma of same flower while in Geitonofamay pollen is transfered to the anther of different flower but of the same plant. In self pollination reproduction is ensured even in the absence of the external agent for pollination.

Self pollination Examples: Peas, Beans, Tomato, Wheat, Barley, and Rice.

What is Cross-Pollination?

Cross-pollination is a process in which the pollen is transferred from the stigma of one plant to the ovules of another plant. It requires an external agent for the transfer of the pollen like wind, insects, etc. It promotes genetic diversity within plant population that ensures adaptability of the plants to the changing environment and also leads to evolution. Artificially it is easier to carry out cross pollination.

Cross pollination Examples: Plums, Tulips, Strawberries, and Raspberries.

Similarities Between Self-Pollination & Cross-Pollination

• The germination takes place in stigma, both in self-pollination and cross-pollination.
• The pollen transfer takes place from anther to stigma in both cross and self-pollination.
• Self-pollination and cross-pollination both take place in plants of the same species.
• In both the pollination, male nuclei of the germ cell fertilize the female ovule and develops into embryo.

FAQs on Self and Cross-Pollination

1. What is self pollination?

Answer:

Self pollination is define as the transfer of the pollen grain from the anther to the sigma of the same plant.

2. What is cross pollination?

Answer:

Cross pollination is defined as the transfer of the pollen grain from the male reproductive part(anther) of one plant to the female reproductive part(stigma) of the different plant.

3. What are examples of self-pollinating plants?

Answer:

Peas, beans, tomatoes, and many grains like wheat and rice are examples of self-pollinating plants.

4. Why is cross-pollination important?

Answer:

Cross-pollination increases genetic diversity, making plant populations more resilient to changing environments and less susceptible to diseases.