What is a cross pollination of pea plants?

Cross pollination of pea plants occurs when pollen from the flower of one pea plant fertilizes the ovules of a flower from a different pea plant. This process can lead to greater genetic diversity and is often used in plant breeding to combine desirable traits from two distinct parent plants. In pea plants, which are typically self-pollinating, cross pollination can be facilitated by manipulating flower structures or using techniques like hand pollination. This method is important for studying inheritance patterns and developing new varieties.