question_answer

What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-pollination?

Answer:

Self-pollination is the transfer of the pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of either the same or genetically similar flower. It has many advantages which are as follows:

(a) Maintains the purity of the race indefinitely.

(b) No special devices required for attracting insect for pollination.

(c) Eliminates certain bad recessive characters.

(d) Large number of pollen grains are not required.

(e) Used to maintain pure line for hybridization experiments.

This method has few disadvantages also which are as follows:

(a) Introduction of useful characters is very rare.

(b) Trait of disease resistance decreases.

(c) Adaptability to changing environment decreases.

(d) Vigour and vitality of the race decreases.