Selbstbestäubung

Selbstbestäubung, also known as autogamy, is a form of pollination in which pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma of the same flower. This process can occur within a single flower or between different flowers on the same plant. It is a reproductive strategy found in many plant species, particularly in flowering plants. The genetic outcome of self-pollination is generally homozygous, meaning the offspring inherit identical alleles from both parents. This contrasts with cross-pollination, where pollen comes from a different plant.

Mechanisms facilitating self-pollination vary. Some flowers have stigmas and anthers that mature at the same time and are positioned closely together, increasing the likelihood of pollen transfer. In other cases, cleistogamy, a phenomenon where flowers remain closed and self-pollinate before opening, is observed. This ensures seed production even when external pollinators are scarce. While self-pollination can be advantageous for reproductive assurance and maintaining desirable traits, it can also lead to reduced genetic diversity and an accumulation of deleterious mutations over time due to inbreeding depression. Many plants have evolved mechanisms to promote or prevent self-pollination, such as self-incompatibility systems or dichogamy, where anthers and stigmas mature at different times.