Pollination involves the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma and can occur through insects, wind, water or animals. Cross-pollination involves pollen transfer between two unrelated plants while self-pollination involves transfer within the same plant. Fertilization is the process where the male gametes from pollen grains unite with the female gametes in the ovule, forming a zygote. F1 hybrid seeds are produced from the first cross of two parent lines and exhibit hybrid vigor or increased size and disease resistance compared to the parents. Parthenocarpy allows fruit to form without fertilization, which is desirable for some cultivated fruits but limits the variety to vegetative propagation. Triploid

1. RHS Level 2 Certificate Year 1 Week 8 – pollination, fertilization and plant breeding