Emasculation: Emasculation is a biological term given for the procedure of removing stamens from a bisexual flower. Stamens are removed by forceps or hands taking care that other floral parts are not harmed. This is done to prevent self pollination and promote artificial cross pollination.

Emasculation is the method of removal of anthers from flowers. The anthers are removed before they mature. It can be carried out in various ways like removed by hand or by suction or using hot/cold water treatment or using chemicals. Emasculation is an important part of artificial hybridization. The process ensures passing on favorable and superior traits to off-springs or introducing favorable characters from one variety to another.

Importance of Emasculation

• It is necessary to ensure cross-pollination in plants that are used in the production of hybrids.
• It is a process in which the stamens of bisexual flowers are removed before maturation. This is done to prevent self-pollination and in-turn self-fertilization.
• In the process of producing genetic hybrids, showing beneficial or economically important characters of two or more plants, self-fertilization may lead to the expression of harmful recessive alleles.
• It is carried out by horticulturalists and plant breeders to produce of economically important plant varieties by ensuring cross pollination among a population of plants.

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By Team Learning Mantras