Pollination and Fertilization in Plants

Pollination

The process of transfer of pollen grains from the anther to stigma of a same or different flower is called pollination.

Self-pollination: The pollination (the process of transfer of pollen grains) that occurs in the same flower is called self-pollination. This type of pollination only occurs in complete flower. No natural agents like air, water or insect is required for this process.

Cross-pollination: The pollination (the process of transfer of pollen grains) that occurs between two flowers is called cross-pollination. This occurs in both unisexual and bisexual flower. The external agents like the bee, air, other insects, water etc. are required.

Fertilization

Fertilization is the process of fusion of the female gamete, the ovum or egg and the male gamete produced in the pollen tube by the pollen grain. The reproductive part of the plant is the flower. It contains androecium as male reproductive part and gynoecium as female reproductive part. After maturity androecium, produce pollen grains as male gamete and gynoecium produce ovule as female gamete. After maturation of gamete, pollination takes place. The pollination may be self or cross. After pollination, the fusion of male and female gamete takes place. This process is called fertilization and a fertilized ovum is called zygote. The zygote then undergoes mitosis and form the embryo. The plant embryo is called seed. If seed encounters favorable environment it germinates to become a new plant.

Difference between Fertilization and pollination