Why are some plants better than others?
Why are some flowers able to survive even when there are sudden changes in their surroundings?
Our group shall carry out a pretty simple experiment on how different qualities of seeds are produced by varying the method of pollination.
Here are a few things you need to know.
Introducing to you two ways of pollination:
Self-pollination Cross-pollination
As you can see in the pictures, self-pollination requires the pollen grains to drop from flower to flower, meanwhile cross-pollination does just the opposite-pollen grains are required to be transferred from one flower to another sideways.
AIM OF THE EXPERIMENT-------FIGURE OUT WHICH WAY OF POLLINATION IS BETTER
Factors to consider:
- Convenience of pollination
- Quality of seeds
- Quality of bud produced
Now, let's begin with the experiment.
To begin with, take a look at the apparatus.
- 2 flowers with cheifly male plant parts
- 2 flower with cheifly female plant parts
- Two cups with cotton wool and
- Water
will be required for the experiment to be carried out.
(WARNING-DO NOT CUT THE FLOWERS OUT AND LEAVE THEM TO DRY. PLACE THEM IN POTS FOR THE POLLINATION TO TAKE PLACE.)
As you can see, the apparatus can be described as simple.
How to carry out the experiment:
- Place two flowers, one containing male plant parts and the other of which has female parts, together in one of the cups, opposite each other. Remember to soak the cotton wool. This cup will contain flowers that will perform cross-pollination. Name this cup"CUP A"".
- Now place another two flowers, the same as the previous pair, into another cup, this time with one above the other. (Thus try to find one that is above the other.) Again remember to soak the cotton wool. This cup will contain flowers performing self-pollination. Name this cup""CUP B".
- Wait for the pollination to take place, followed by the fertilisation. Observe the seeds grow and keep track of how well they grow. Consider the factors stated before.
After much observance, we have realised that the CUP A's seeds had grown better that the seeds in CUP B. Why? Our research work has also been done. Here's when our conclusion kicks in!
Self-pollination
Where it occurs: Occurs between flowers of the same plant or within the same flower
Advantage(s):Does not require to depend on wing or insects for pollination
Cross-pollination
Where it occurs: Occurs between flower of separate plants of the same kind
Advantage(s):
- The young plant may combine the good qualities of both the parent plants
- Better quality seeds are produced after the pollination
- The new plant may be able to adapt to the environment better.
Therefore, cross-pollination is a better way of pollination than self-pollination.
With that, we shall end our experiment. Thank you!
