Self-pollination is a form of pollination in which pollen from the same plant arrives at the stigma of a flower (in flowering plants) or at the ovule (in gymnosperms) . Here are some key points about self-pollination:
- Self-pollination occurs when the stamen and carpel mature at the same time and are positioned so that the pollen can land on the flowers stigma.
- There are two types of self-pollination: autogamy, where the plant self-fertilizes without any external aid, and geitonogamy, where the plant self-fertilizes with the aid of external agents such as wind or insects.
- The evolutionary shift from outcrossing to self-fertilization is one of the most common evolutionary transitions in plants. About 10-15% of flowering plants are predominantly self-fertilizing.
- Self-pollination reduces genetic diversity, so many plants have evolved to grow characteristics that attract pollinators, like special flower shapes and nectar guides.
In summary, self-pollination is a process where pollen from the same plant fertilizes the flower. It is a common process in plants and can occur in two ways: autogamy and geitonogamy.
