controlled pollination A practice used in plant hybridization (see HYBRID). Pistillate flowers are enclosed in bags (usually of muslin) to protect them from unwanted pollen: when they are in a receptive condition, the flowers are dusted with pollen of the required type. This is commonly performed in horticulture and in genetic experiments.

controlled pollination A practice used in plant hybridization, in which pistillate flowers are enclosed in bags (usually of muslin) to protect them from unwanted pollen and, when they are in a receptive condition, the flowers are dusted with pollen of the required type. This is commonly performed in horticulture and in genetic experiments.