what are the advantages and disadvantages of cross and self pollination
Answers
Advantages of self- pollination
In self- pollination, there is no diversity in the genes and therefore the purity of the race is maintained.
The plants do not depend on external factors for pollination and even smaller quantities of pollen grains produce have a good success rate in getting pollinated.
Self- pollination ensures that recessive characters are eliminated.
Disadvantages of self- pollination
Since there is no mixing up of genes, there are no new characters or features that are introduced into the lineage of the offsprings.
Self- pollination is said to reduce the vigor and vitality of the race as there are no new features introduced.
Without new characters introduced, the resultant offsprings’ immunity to diseases reduces.
Advantages of cross-pollination
Cross-pollination is beneficial to the race of the plant as it introduces new genes into the lineage as a result of the fertilization between genetically different gametes
Cross-pollination improves the resistance of the offsprings to diseases and changes in the environment.
The seeds produced as a result of cross-pollination are good in vigor and vitality.
If there are any recessive characters in the lineage, they are eliminated as a result of genetic recombination.
It is the only way unisexual plants can reproduce.
Disadvantages of cross-pollination
There is a high wastage of pollen grains that need to be produced to ensure fertilization occurs.
There are high chances that the good qualities may get eliminated and unwanted characteristics may get added due to recombination of the genes.