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The term “open-pollination” is used when referring to heirloom crops. Little explanation goes into what the term actually means. Wonder what is open pollination no longer, here is a detailed explanation:
How open-pollination works: Open-pollination is a term used in reference to the contrast with hybrid pollination. Heirlooms are more naturally and openly pollinated, allowing an entire crop to pollinate within itself rather than allowing only 1 or 2 plants to pollinate all the rest.
While seeds are not mechanically pollinated to manipulate what the plants will look like as hybrids are, open-pollinated crops should not be allowed to pollinate unrestricted. Plant varieties must be isolated to guarantee fertilization by the same variety. Otherwise a cross with a hybrid variety could cause the loss of the original heirloom.
Results of open-pollination: Heirlooms are not considered legitimate unless also considered open-pollinated for two reasons:
- Open-pollinated crops produce “true-to-type” children. Only non-hybrid plants produce seeds that look like their parent plants. This is called being “true-to-type.” Growers can save the seeds of open-pollinated crops and grow them later to produce a viable, sustainable crop.
In contrast, hybrids produce children untrue-to-type. Having been bred for uniformity or resistance to pests and diseases hybrid crops often produce sterile seed. If the seed does germinate the resulting plant is monstrous without true form or any resemblance to its parent.
- Open pollination encourages genetic diversity. Because many plants are allowed to pollinate together there is a wider variety of genetics within an heirloom crop. This genetic diversity ensures the self-sustainability of the plant. The natural adaptation of species to various growing conditions ensures its survival. Different characteristics will do better in different growing conditions.
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