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What is the best type of pollination?

Pollination is the process that gives rise to fertilization. The most effective pollination—called cross-pollination—occurs when pollen is transferred from one plant to another. Since plants are immobile organisms, they must rely on external agents (such as insects, birds, or wind) for cross-pollination. These agents move pollen from one plant's stamens (male organs), where pollen is produced, to another plant's pistils (female organs), where fertilization takes place.

Some plants are able to self-pollinate, meaning they transfer their own pollen from stamens to pistils. Cross-pollination, however, has been shown to be superior to self-pollination, since it introduces new genetic material and creates heartier offspring, in general.

The structure of a cross-pollinating plant is closely linked with its method of pollination. For example, plants such as grasses and...

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