Question

One of the major approaches of crop improvement programme is Artificial Hybridisation. Explain the steps involved in making sure that only the desired pollen grain pollinate the stigma of a bisexual flower by a plant breeder. 

Answer 1

When the desired polin greis are used for pollination and fertilisation to get desired progeny, is called artificial hybridization.

Steps of artificial hybridization:

Emasculation: In this step, the anthers (male part) are removed from a bisexual flower to avoid unwanted fertilisation from the anthers of the same flower. Unisexual flowers do not require this step.

Bagging: In this, the flowers are covered with a bag to avoid landing of unwanted pollen grains on the stigma. The bagging is done till the flower attains receptivity.

Pollination: Pollens with desired traits are dusted onto the flower after the flower is ready to receive the pollens.