keinopölyttäminen

Keinopölyttäminen, also known as artificial pollination or assisted pollination, is a horticultural technique used to facilitate the transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower (anther) to the female part of a flower (stigma) when natural pollination is insufficient. This process is crucial for the sexual reproduction of many plants, leading to the development of fruits and seeds.

Natural pollination typically occurs through agents like wind, insects, birds, or other animals. However, certain environmental conditions, such as lack of pollinators, unfavorable weather, or the specific needs of certain plant species or cultivars, can hinder this natural process. Keinopölyttäminen is employed to overcome these limitations.

The methods of keinopölyttäminen vary depending on the plant and the desired outcome. Simple techniques involve manually collecting pollen using a small brush, cotton swab, or even a feather and then carefully transferring it to the stigma of another flower. In larger-scale agricultural settings, more advanced methods might involve specialized equipment to deliver pollen, sometimes in controlled environments like greenhouses.

This practice is particularly important in fruit and vegetable production, especially for crops that are self-incompatible or rely heavily on specific pollinators that may be in decline. It is also used in plant breeding programs to create new varieties by controlling cross-pollination between specific parent plants. While labor-intensive on a small scale, keinopölyttäminen ensures successful fruit set and seed production in situations where nature alone cannot provide.