Geitonogamy is a kind of self-pollination in which pollen grains from one flower’s anther are deposited on the anther of another flower on the same plant. A pollinator can do this by visiting several flowers of the same plant. Geitonogamy is a kind of self-pollination that is functionally similar to cross pollination. Monoecious and dioecious plants are two forms of unisexual plants. Geitonogamy is a term used to describe monoecious plants that have both male and female flowers on the same plant. As previously stated, flowers that use geitonogamy rely on external pollinators such as wind, insects, and animals for pollination. As a result, if the number of external pollination agents is reduced, the plant’s seed output may be reduced. Geitonogamy is the process of producing offspring that are genetically identical to their parents. Flowers that grow on a single stem have a higher level of geitonogamy.
Types of Pollination
Autogamy is a type of self-pollination in which pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma within the same flower. Autogamy involves the coordinated opening, maturity, and exposure of the anther and stigma.
Anther and stigma are visible in chasmogamous flowers. In chasmogamous flowers, the exposed reproductive parts allow for cross-pollination. The anther and stigma are not visible in cleistogamous flowers, but they are close enough for transfer. As a result, cross-pollination in cleistogamous flowers is nearly impossible. They also don’t require much in the way of pollination.
Geitonogamy is a kind of self-pollination in which pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma between various flowers on the same plant. Despite the fact that it seems to be cross-pollination and occurs with the assistance of pollinators, both gametes originate from the same plant.
Xenogamy is cross-pollination in which pollen grains are transferred between flowers of two distinct plants. To put it another way, pollen transfers from one plant’s anther to another plant’s stigma.
Each kind of pollination has advantages and disadvantages. Xenogamy produces new varieties, whereas autogamy preserves parental characteristics. Plants have a number of modifications that assist them in doing this task. Furthermore, pollination agents, which can be biotic or abiotic, are required by flowers. Pollinators are biotic and abiotic pollination agents that work together to pollinate plants.
Differences Between Autogamy Geitonogamy and Xenogamy
Autogamy | Geitonogamy | Xenogamy | |
Pollination Methods | Autogamy is a process of self-pollination. | It is a cross pollination method that is functionally cross pollinated yet genetically self-pollinated. | Xenogamy is a process of self-pollination. |
Evolutionary Contribution | Autogamy produces identical offspring. As a result, it has no evolutionary value. | Geitonogamy produces genetically identical offspring. As a result, it has no evolutionary value. | Xenogamy generates offspring who have genetic variations from their parents. As a result, it contributes to evolution. |
Flowers’ Adaptations | Autogamy flowers have the ability to drop pollen grains straight onto the stigma and pollinate before the flower opens. | Several geitonogamy flowers are seen on the same stem in geitonogamy. | Adaptations in xenogamy flowers include herkogamy, dichogamy, self incompatibility, male sterility, and heterostyly. |
Advantages | In autogamy, pollination can occur without the use of external pollinating agents. | Geitonogamy can keep the race’s parental characteristics for an infinite period of time. | Xenogamy results in genetically modified kids with distinct personalities. |
Disadvantages | In autogamy, genetic differences in the offspring are avoided. | Excess force should be created in order to be pollinated by external pollination agents, according to geitonogamy. | The effectiveness of seed production is determined by the presence of external pollinators. |
Examples | Sunflowers, orchids, peas, and tridax are examples of autogamous plants. | Corn is the most well-known example of geitonogamy flowers. | Examples of xenogamy include squash, onions, broccoli, spinach, willows, grasses and olive trees. |
Conclusion
Plants use three different kinds of reproductive modes: autogamy, geitonogamy, and xenogamy. Autogamy is a technique of self-pollination in which the anther’s pollen grains are deposited on the stigma of the same flower. Geitonogamy is a form of self-pollination in which pollen grains from one flower’s anther are deposited on the stigma of another flower on the same plant. Both autogamy and geitonogamy result in offspring that are genetically identical to their parents. The pollen grains from one flower’s anther are deposited on the stigma of a flower on a different plant in the same species in a cross-pollination procedure known as xenogamy. Cross pollination results in a genetically diverse offspring with desirable traits. By displaying different features in the flower, cross pollinating flowers are able to attract their external pollination agents, such as insects and animals, to the flowers. Adaptations to prevent self-pollination have also been found in some flowers. The fundamental distinction between autogamy, geitonogamy, and xenogamy, however, is how they pollinate a flower’s stigma.