OBJECT To study the flowers adapted to pollination by different agencies (wind, insects).

                            EXPERIMENT 10

OBJECT

To study the flowers adapted to pollination by different agencies (wind, insects).

REQUIREMENTS

Fresh flowers of maize or any other cereal/grass, Salvia/Ocimum and Brassica (mustard) forceps, hand lens, slide needle etc.

PROCEDURE

Place the given flower on a slide and observe it with the help of hand lens. Note down the adaptations of the flowers meant for pollination by the external agencies. 

Maize Flowers (Anemophilous or Wind Pollinated Flowers)

The flowers of maize show following adaptations for pollination by wind. 

1.The maize plant is monoecious and bears unisexual flowers. The male flowers are born in terminal inflorescence while the female flowers are born in axillary inflorescence.

2.Flowers are small and inconspicuons.

3.The flowers are colourless odourless and nectarless.

4.Flowers are produced above the foliage or placed in hanging position.

5.Both the stigmas and anthers are exerted (.e., hang outside the perianth)

6.Anthers are versatile, and pollen grains are light, small and dusty.

7.The pollen grains are produced in very large numbers.

8.Stigma is hairy, feathery or branched to catch wind born pollen grains. 

Salvia Flowers (Entomophilous or Insect pollinated flowers) 

The flowers of Saliva show following

adaptations for pollination by insects.

1.The flowers are showy or brightly coloured for attracting pollinating insects.

2.The flowers are born in verticellaster inflorescence to become conspicuous.

3.Flowers secrete nectar to feed visit-ing insects. Nectar glands are placed in such a position that an insect must touch both the anthers and stigmas.

4. The flowers have landing platform for the insects.

5. The flowers are protandrons with bilipped corolla, and have turn pipe or lever mechanism.

6. Each stamen has long connective which bears a fertile anther lobe at the upper end and sterile plate like anther lobe at the lower end. The two sterile anther plates block the path of insect.

7. As the insect moves inward a young flower in search of nectar, its head pushes, the anther plates and forces the fertile anther lobes to strike against its back.

8.in Older flower the style brings the stigma in such a position that it brushes against the back of insect and collect Pollen Grain brought by the insect from a young flower.