handpollinator

A handpollinator is a person or device that performs hand pollination, the manual transfer of pollen from the anthers of a flower to the stigma of another. This method is used to ensure fertilization when natural pollinators are unreliable or when controlled crosses are required for breeding, seed production, or research.

Practices vary, but common tools include small artist brushes, cotton swabs, or soft forceps. Pollen is collected from donor flowers and applied to receptive recipient flowers during anthesis, when the stigma is receptive. In some cases, pollen from multiple donors is applied to a single flower to increase genetic diversity or test cross compatibility.

Applications: In horticulture and breeding programs, hand pollination supports hybrid seed production, crops with limited natural pollination, or in greenhouses where pollinator access is restricted. It is also used in research to study incompatibilities, self-sterility, or pollen tube growth. Some crops commonly hand-pollinated in controlled settings include tomatoes, peppers, cucurbits, and certain fruit trees.

Limitations: It is labor-intensive and not scalable for large fields, making it best suited for small plots, nurseries, or breeding programs. Pollen viability degrades with time, so transfers must be timely. Risk of contamination or unintended crosses exists without careful sanitation and precise timing.

History and context: Manual pollination has a long history in agriculture and plant breeding and remains essential in greenhouse cultivation and experimental contexts where natural pollination is insufficient or unpredictable.