Itsepölyttymisen

Itsepölyttyminen, also known as self-pollination, is a form of pollination in flowering plants where pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma of the same flower or to another flower on the same plant. This process can occur through various mechanisms, including wind, water, or animal vectors. Self-pollination is a common reproductive strategy in many plant species.

The genetic outcome of self-pollination is generally inbreeding, leading to increased homozygosity in the offspring. This can have both advantages and disadvantages. For plants in stable environments or those with limited access to pollinators, self-pollination ensures reproductive success. It can also help to maintain advantageous traits within a population. However, it can also lead to inbreeding depression, where the accumulation of deleterious recessive alleles reduces the fitness of the offspring.

Many plants have evolved mechanisms to promote or prevent self-pollination. Some flowers have stamen and pistil that mature at different times (dichogamy), or have physical arrangements that make self-pollination unlikely. Conversely, other plants have structures that facilitate self-pollination, such as cleistogamous flowers that remain closed and are inevitably self-pollinated. The study of self-pollination is important in understanding plant breeding, evolution, and agricultural practices.