Question

Plunger pollination

Answer 1

Plunger pollination is a specific technique used primarily in the context of controlled pollination of certain flowers, especially in horticulture and plant breeding. This method is often employed with plants that have flowers that are not easily accessible to pollinators or where manual pollination is required for breeding purposes.

The process generally involves using a plunger-like tool to transfer pollen from the male part (anther) of a flower to the female part (stigma) of the same or another flower. The plunger aids in the direct application of pollen, ensuring that it reaches the stigma effectively and improving the chances of fertilization.

**Key Points:**

- **Purpose**: Plunger pollination is mainly used in hybridization and breeding programs to produce desired traits in plants.
- **Technique**: Involves manually applying pollen to the stigma using a tool designed for this purpose.
- **Usage**: Common in controlled environments like greenhouses or during research to study plant genetics and breeding methods.

This technique ensures that pollination occurs efficiently, especially in plants where natural pollinators may not be reliable or available.