Main condition for a plant to perform cross pollination is

Options

(a) herkogamy
(b) dichogamy
(c) self sterility
(d) herkogamy & dichogamy & self sterility

Correct Answer:

herkogamy & dichogamy & self sterility

Explanation:

When the pollens are transferred from anther to stigma of different flower on different plant, it is called cross-pollination. It is a rule in unisexual flowers. But it also occurs a large number of bisexual flowers. The main reasons for cross-pollination in bisexual flowers are- dicliny, dichogamy, herkogamy, heterostyly and self sterility. Dichogamy is the condition of bisexual flower in which male and female reproductive parts mature at different times e.g., bajra, cotton, marigold etc. In herkogamy some physical barrier is present between male and female reproductive parts of a flower which prevents self pollination. e.g., Calotropis. In self sterility inspite of viable pollens they are unable to germinate on the stigma of same flower. e.g., radish, Petunia axillaris etc.