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Re: Pollenation, pollenization

While we are discussing the terms and meanings associated with pollination,
I think it is important to note that there is a major difference between
the pollination of a flower and the successful fertilization that creates a
viable embryo.

When discussing the fertilization problems of plants, they can be classified
as being (Type 1.) self-fertile, (Type 2.)semi self-fertile, and (Type 3.)
self-sterile. The semi -elf fertile plant produces larger crops when cross
pollinated with pollen from a fertile source. The self-sterile plant must
receive pollen from another plant with fertile pollen to set a crop. The
self-sterile plant's pollen will generally fertilize other female flowers
providing that they are not plants of the same clone.

The terms pollinator or pollinizer are a form of shorthand used to describe
plants that provide viable pollen for cross pollination of Type 2 and 3
plants. The terminology seems to be used interchangeable without confusion
in the general horticultural publications.

The terms pollinator or pollinizer also are used to describe how plants are
pollinated since plants depend on wind or insect vectors to physical
transfer the pollen from the anther to a receptive stigmatic surface. The
plants neither pollinate or pollinize and flowers. The production of viable
pollen is a critical part of fertilization that starts the complicated
process.

Even if a flower is pollinated, there are many environmental conditions that
may prevent the pollen tube from fertilizing the egg and the creation of a
viable seed, which is most plants, is necessary to achieve a fruit that will
ultimately mature and can be consumed. There are exceptions, such as
seedless persimmons and grapes which do not contain viable seeds. The
embryos abort early in the process of the fruit's development in grapes and
watermelon, we just consume them without notice.

Not being an English major, I defer to someone who wants to discuss the
terms as the use of the words may change from verbs to nouns depending on
the context of the sentence, thus there is a preferred use of the terms not
related to their intended meaning.

Claude Sweet
San Diego, CA

----- Original Message -----
From: "RoseMarie NicholsMcGee" <rmnicholsmcgee@attbi.com>
To: <Gardenwriters@topica.com>
Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 8:44 PM
Subject: Re: [GWL]: Pollenation, pollenization


> > Subject: Re: [GWL]: Pollenation, pollenization
> > Pollenizer is a correct term for a plant that is used to cross-pollinate
> > another.
> >> The question arises from my reading about stone fruit trees and the
> >> need for two varieties for cross pollinatiion.  In several places
> >> recently, I come across the term "pollenizer" when I expect to read
> >> "pollinator" and have been bewildered by the term.

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