Question

What are the adaptations which are required in self-pollinated plants?

Answer 1

Adaptations required by cross-pollinated plants are:
(i) Unisexuality - The stamens and carpels are found in different flowers. The male and female flowers may be borne on the same or different plants.
(ii) Dichogamy - In bisexual flowers, stamens and carpels mature at different times. It is of two kinds:
(a) Protandry wherein stamens mature before carpels. E.g - jasmine
(b) Protogyny wherein carpels mature before stamens. E.g. - Rose
(iii) Heterostyly - Here the style is either longer or shorter, thereby preventing self-pollination.
(iv) Herkogamy - Stigma, and stamen mature at the same time, but some type of barrier prevents self-pollination. E.g. - In caryophyllaceous flower, the stigma projects beyond the stamens so that pollens cannot fall on it.
(v) Self-sterility - Pollen of one flower cannot fertilize the female gametes of the same flower.