The transfer of pollen grains from one plant to the stigma of a different plant is known as:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Xenogamy
Pollination is of three kinds, by the source of the pollen. Autogamy is within the same flower. Geitonogamy is between flowers of the same plant. Xenogamy is between different plants. Only xenogamy brings genetically different pollen to the stigma.
Option (1) Geitonogamy — Incorrect. It is transfer to another flower of the same plant. Genetically it is the same as autogamy.
Option (2) Xenogamy — Correct. Xenogamy is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of a different plant. It is the only kind of pollination that brings genetically different pollen to the stigma.
Option (3) Chasmogamous — Incorrect. Chasmogamous flowers are flowers with exposed anthers and stigma. The word describes a kind of flower, not a kind of pollen transfer.
Option (4) Cleistogamous — Incorrect. Cleistogamous flowers do not open at all, so they can only be self-pollinated (autogamy).
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 25-05-2026 (Slot 1), and in CUET (UG) 2023 on 10-06-2023 (Slot 3) and on 09-06-2023 (Slot 3).
NCERT Extract:
Pollination – “… (iii) Xenogamy – Transfer of pollen grains from anther to the stigma of a different plant (Figure 1.9b). This is the only type of pollination which during pollination brings genetically different types of pollen grains to the stigma.”
