HAND POLLINATION Meaning and
Definition
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Hand pollination is a controlled method of pollinating plants that involves manually transferring pollen from the stamens (male reproductive organs) to the pistils (female reproductive organs) of flowers. This technique is typically employed when natural pollination processes, such as wind or insect pollination, are insufficient or unreliable.
The process of hand pollination usually requires human intervention, wherein a person uses their fingers, a small brush, or a similar tool to collect pollen and carefully deposit it onto the stigma or into the ovary of the flower. This enables the transfer of the male gametes to effectively fertilize the female gametes, resulting in the production of seeds and fruit.
Hand pollination is commonly used in situations where specific plant varieties need to be cross-pollinated to increase genetic diversity, such as in the production of hybrid plants or improving crop yields. It is also employed in cases where natural pollinators are scarce or absent, or when plants are grown in controlled environments such as greenhouses.
While hand pollination can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, it offers precise control over the pollination process, ensuring desired traits are passed onto the offspring. It is a key technique in horticulture and agriculture, enabling plant breeders and growers to achieve desired outcomes in terms of fruit size, quality, taste, and other characteristics.
Etymology of HAND POLLINATION
The term "hand pollination" is a compound word that combines the words "hand" and "pollination".
The word "hand" originated from the Old English word "hand" or "hond", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "handuz". It has remained relatively unchanged in its meaning, referring to the end part of an arm consisting of a thumb, fingers, and palm.
The word "pollination" is derived from the Latin word "pollinatus" (past participle of "pollinare"), which means to fertilize or provide with pollen. The Latin word "pollen" refers to fine yellowish powder produced by the anthers of flowers, which is essential for the fertilization of plants.
