Open pollination

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Open pollination is pollination by insects, birds, wind, or other natural mechanisms. The seeds of open-pollinated plants will produce new generations of those plants; however, because breeding is uncontrolled and the pollen (male parent) source is unknown, open pollination results in plants that vary widely in genetic traits.

Open pollination increases biodiversity but results in some plants less suitable for their environment or intended human use. This is in contrast with hand pollination, which is controlled so that all seeds of a crop carry the same traits. Another type, hybrid pollination, increases suitability, especially through heterosis, but decreases biodiversity. Some hybrid strains are inbred and selected for desired traits until a strain that breeds true by open pollination can be developed.

One of the bigger challenges in maintaining a strain by open pollination is avoiding introduction of pollination by other strains. Based on how broadly the pollen for the plant tends to disperse, it can be controlled to varying degrees by greenhouses, tall wall enclosures, or field isolation.

Popular examples of plants produced by open pollination include the heirloom tomato.

[edit] References

Ben Watson. Hybrid or Open Pollinated. Gardening Articles: Care :: Seeds & Propagation pp 1-6. National Gardening Association. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.