Cross Pollination:

Cross pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower of one plant to the stigma of the flower of another plant of the same species. It is a natural process that occurs in many plants, especially those that require the help of insects or other animals to move their pollen from one flower to another.

Process of Cross Pollination:

The process of cross pollination involves several steps, which are as follows:

1. Pollen Transfer: The first step in cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of one plant to the stigma of another plant of the same species. This can be done by insects, birds, or other animals that visit the flowers of the plants.

2. Pollen Germination: Once the pollen is transferred, it germinates on the stigma of the second plant, and a tube grows down through the style to the ovary.

3. Fertilization: The pollen tube carries the male gametes to the ovules, where fertilization takes place, and a seed is formed.

Advantages of Cross Pollination:

Cross pollination has several advantages, which are as follows:

1. Genetic Diversity: Cross pollination helps in the creation of new genetic combinations, which can lead to better adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

2. Disease Resistance: Cross pollination can increase disease resistance in plant populations by introducing new genetic traits that can help plants resist diseases.

3. Increased Yield: Cross pollination can also lead to increased crop yields by improving the quality and quantity of seeds produced by plants.

Disadvantages of Cross Pollination:

Cross pollination also has some disadvantages, which are as follows:

1. Unwanted Traits: Cross pollination can introduce unwanted traits into plant populations, such as reduced fruit size or altered flavor.

2. Genetic Contamination: Cross pollination can also lead to genetic contamination of crops, which can be a major problem for farmers who want to maintain pure strains of their crops.

3. Inbreeding Depression: In some cases, cross pollination can lead to inbreeding depression, which is a reduction in the vigor and fitness of offspring produced by closely related parents.

In conclusion, cross pollination is an essential process for many plants that rely on the transfer of pollen from one flower to another to reproduce. While it has several advantages, it also has some disadvantages that must be carefully managed to ensure the health and productivity of plant populations.

When pollen grains reaches from anther to stigma it is called "pollination".When a pollen grain of a flower reaches in ovary of another flower to fuse with It's female gametes, the process known as cross pollination.