Wind pollination
Wind pollination is the transfer of pollen from one plant to another by air currents. It relies on airborne pollen rather than animal pollinators.
Pollen: Pollen is a plant structure containing the male gametophyte, which produces sperm cells for fertilization. These grains are the particles released and carried through the air.
Flower: A flower is the reproductive structure of angiosperms, containing organs that produce gametes and enable seed formation. Wind pollination is one way flowers transfer pollen between reproductive organs.
Maize: Maize is a cereal crop whose flowers produce separate male tassels and female ears on the same plant. Its airborne pollen fertilizes silk on nearby ears.
Animal pollination: Animal pollination is pollen transfer between flowers by animals, including insects, birds, and bats. It contrasts with wind transfer by relying on animal movement and flower visits.
Anther: An anther is the pollen-producing part of a flower's stamen. Anthers expose pollen so air currents can carry it away.
Stamen: A stamen is a flower's male reproductive organ, typically consisting of an anther and a supporting filament. Its anther produces the pollen that wind can carry.
Wheat: Wheat is a cereal grass cultivated for grain, with flowers that can self-pollinate and exchange pollen through air. Its pollination biology affects breeding and seed production.
Self-pollination: Self-pollination is the transfer of pollen to a stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. It can produce fertilization without pollen traveling between separate plants.
Stigma: A stigma is the receptive surface of a flower's carpel, where compatible pollen can adhere and germinate. Its exposed surfaces intercept pollen arriving on the wind.
Carpel: A carpel is a flower's female reproductive structure, comprising an ovary, style, and stigma. Its stigma receives pollen and its ovary contains ovules.