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Most bisexual plants have mechanisms that prevent self-fertilization, such as self-incompatibility and male sterility. It gives them an advantage of diversity to survive in their ever-changing surroundings.
Apples, plums and sweet cherries have another thing in common, aside from their delicious taste. They’re all bisexual! All three of these plants carry the male (stamen) and female (pistil) reproductive parts within the same flower. As soon as the female is ready for fertilization, it can find pollen on its doorstep. That sounds like a hassle-free life without worrying about attracting pollinators.
However, these bisexual plants unexpectedly avoid the convenient task of self-fertilization!
Certain plants use simple methods, such as placing their pistil and stamen within the same flower at different heights. However, there is still a possibility of interaction between them, which can lead to fertilization.
Self-incompatibility is a plant system that leaves no option for gametic fusion between the same flower’s gametes. It leads to the failure of functioning pollen to fertilize its own flower’s egg cell and prevent fruit formation. Nearly 90% of the flowering population is bisexual, but many depend on pollen carriers, such as wind, water or insects to promote out-crossing.
Let’s examine why these plants fail to produce fruit from their pollen, and if this avoidance benefits them.
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