cross-pollination

American  

[kraws-pol-uh-ney-shuhn, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌpɒl əˈneɪ ʃən, ˈkrɒs- /

noun

1. Botany. the transfer of pollen from the flower of one plant to the flower of a plant having a different genetic constitution.

2. a sharing or interchange of knowledge, ideas, etc., as for mutual enrichment; cross-fertilization.

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cross-pollination British  

noun

1. the transfer of pollen from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another flower by the action of wind, insects, etc Compare self-pollination

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cross-pollination Scientific  

1. The transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organ (an anther or a male cone) of one plant to the female reproductive organ (a stigma or a female cone) of another plant. Insects and wind are the main agents of cross-pollination. Most plants reproduce by cross-pollination, which increases the genetic diversity of a population (increases the number of heterozygous individuals). Mechanisms that promote cross-pollination include having male flowers on one plant and female flowers on another, having pollen mature before the stigmas on the same plant are chemically receptive to being pollinated, and having anatomical arrangements (such as stigmas that are taller than anthers) that make self-pollination less likely.

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Etymology

Origin of cross-pollination

First recorded in 1880–85

Compare meaning

How does cross-pollination compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• self-pollination vs. cross-pollination

Example Sentences

This means they need cross pollination from a different variety to set fruit.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2024

It does this through the age old process of focused cross pollination.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2023

Stanley Tucci sets off for another season of sumptuous Italian adventures, this time kicking things off in Venice, where he goes duck hunting, eats risotto and learns about the cross pollination of European food traditions.

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2022

“It takes 10 years of selection after that initial cross pollination, and it might take two to five years before enough commercial evaluation has taken place to release a new potato variety,” Porter said.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 28, 2021

There are more male aments to be found on the lower branches than female spikes of flowers, which would tend to aid in cross pollination of the flowers by wind action.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting Rochester, N.Y. August 31 and September 1, 1953 by Northern Nut Growers Association