Kreuzbestäubung

Kreuzbestäubung, also known as cross-pollination, is a form of sexual reproduction in plants. It occurs when pollen from a flower on one plant is transferred to the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species. This transfer can be facilitated by various agents, including wind, water, insects, birds, or other animals.

The process begins with the release of pollen from the anthers of a flower. This pollen then needs to be transported to the receptive stigma of another flower. Once the pollen lands on the stigma, it germinates and a pollen tube grows down to the ovary, where fertilization of the ovules takes place. The resulting seed contains genetic material from both parent plants, leading to offspring with a combination of traits.

Kreuzbestäubung is crucial for genetic diversity within a plant population. The mixing of genes from different individuals can lead to offspring with enhanced vigor, disease resistance, and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Many plants have evolved specific mechanisms to promote or ensure cross-pollination, such as the production of attractive flowers, scents, or nectar to lure pollinators, or by having different flowering times to prevent self-pollination.

In contrast to self-pollination, where pollen from a flower fertilizes its own ovules or ovules of another flower on the same plant, kreuzbestäubung inherently involves genetic exchange between distinct individuals. This genetic mixing is a fundamental driver of evolution and contributes to the long-term survival and success of plant species.