Which of the following conditions in flowering plants enhance self-pollination?
Answer Details
Among the options provided, the condition that enhances self-pollination in flowering plants is cleistogamy. Cleistogamous flowers are self-fertile and never open, meaning the anthers and stigma are in close proximity to facilitate self-pollination. This adaptation is useful in ensuring successful reproduction even when pollinators are scarce or absent.
Heterostyly, protandry, and protogyny are mechanisms that promote cross-pollination. Heterostyly involves the presence of flowers with different style and stamen lengths, which promotes cross-pollination between different plants. Protandry is the condition where the anthers mature before the stigma, while protogyny is the opposite condition where the stigma matures before the anthers. Both conditions promote cross-pollination as they encourage the plant to receive pollen from a different plant or source.