Plant Fertilization and Protection

Plant fertilization is the union of male and female gametes to produce a zygote. So, how does fertilization occur? It's a pretty straight-forward process that's similar for both flowering plants (angiosperms) and seed-bearing plants (gymnosperms). Let's break the fertilization process down into four steps. Pollination: In general, male gametes are contained in pollen, which is carried by wind, water, or wildlife (both insects and animals) to reach female gametes. The pollen is deposited on a plant's stigma, which is part of the pistil (the elongated part of a flower extending from the ovary). This process is called pollination. Germination: Within a few minutes, pollen tubes begin growing, or germinating, toward the egg cell. These tubes will provide a path for the sperm carried in the pollen to reach the egg. Penetration of the Ovule: The pollen tubes penetrate the ovule, which contains the female gametes. Fertilization: Sperm travel down the pollen tubes and fertilize an egg. Most angiosperms undergo double fertilization, where both an egg and the polar nuclei in the embryonic sac are fertilized. Plant protection is the science and practice of managing pests, diseases and weeds that damage crops and other plants, and which can have a devastating effect on farmer livelihoods.