Transfer of pollen grains from anther to the stigma of a different plant is called:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Xenogamy
Pollination is of three kinds according to the source of the pollen.
(1) Geitonogamy — Incorrect. The pollen goes to the stigma of another flower of the same plant. The plant is the same, so it is genetically like self-pollination.
(2) Xenogamy — Correct. In xenogamy the pollen goes from the anther to the stigma of a different plant. This is the only type of pollination that brings genetically different pollen to the stigma.
(3) Autogamy — Incorrect. The pollen goes to the stigma of the same flower.
(4) Polygamy — Incorrect. This is not a type of pollination.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 16-05-2025 (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.”
Pollination – “… (i) Autogamy : In this type, pollination is achieved within the same flower. Transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the same flower (Figure 1.9a).”
Pollination – “… (ii) Geitonogamy – Transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of another flower of the same plant.”
