Question

Sunflower is pollinated by insects while rice is pollinated by wind.

(a) How these plants are adapted to their respective type of pollination method?

(b) Plants can be self or cross pollinated.

Write any two mechanisms existing in nature to promote cross pollination.

Answer 1

Adaptation for wind pollination

(1) The pollen grains are light and non-sticky

(2) They possess well-exposed stamens and feathery stigma

Adaptation for insect pollination

(1) Insect-pollinated flowers are large, colourful, fragrant and rich in nectar.

(2) The flowers are small, a number of flowers are clustered into an inflorescence 

(b) (1) pollen release and stigma receptivity are not at the same time.

(2) Anther and stigma are placed at different positions so that the pollen cannot come in contact with the stigma of the same flower. Both these devices prevent autogamy.