Eggplant primarily pollinates itself, often with a little help from nature.
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is known as a self-pollinating plant. This means that a single eggplant flower contains both the male parts (anthers, which produce pollen) and the female parts (pistils, which receive pollen).
According to the provided reference, pollination occurs when the pollen from the anthers reaches the pistils within the same flower or another flower on the same plant. This movement is facilitated by external forces:
- A light breeze: Wind can cause the flower to sway, shifting the anthers and allowing pollen to fall onto the pistils.
- Movement of flying insects: While eggplant self-pollinates, visits from insects like bees, though not strictly required for pollen transfer between different plants, can cause vibrations or movement that helps dislodge pollen and move it within the flower.
These simple actions are often enough to shift the anthers to the pistils in the flower and thus complete pollination, leading to fruit development.
Key Points on Eggplant Pollination
- Self-Compatible: Eggplant flowers have both male and female reproductive organs and can fertilize themselves.
- Assisted Self-Pollination: While the potential for self-pollination exists within the flower structure, external factors like wind or insect activity aid the process.
- Mechanism: Pollen from the anthers moves to the pistils within the same flower.
This process ensures that even a single eggplant plant can produce fruit without needing pollen from another plant.
