Why bagging is done? (MP RAEO 2021 Shift 1)

• / KeyPointsBagging is a technique used in plant breeding and horticulture to prevent the contamination of flowers or fruits by foreign pollens. It involves covering the flowers or fruits with bags made of suitable material to create a physical barrier that prevents the entry of unwanted pollen. Here are some 🔑Key Points: about why bagging is done and its purpose:
1) Preventing cross-pollination: Bagging helps to avoid cross-pollination, which occurs when pollen from one plant is transferred to the stigma of another plant of the same species. This is particularly important in situations where controlled pollination is desired to maintain genetic purity or to breed new varieties.
2) Preventing self-pollination: In some cases, bagging is also used to prevent self-pollination, which occurs when the pollen from a plant fertilizes its own stigma. This is done when the aim is to facilitate cross-pollination and avoid self-fertilization, which may result in inbreeding depression or hinder the creation of new genetic variations.
3) Preventing contamination: The primary purpose of bagging is to prevent contamination from foreign pollens. By covering the flowers or fruits, bagging ensures that only the desired pollen, typically from a specific plant or a selected parent, is used for pollination. This helps in maintaining genetic purity and controlling the breeding process.