Step 1 : Understanding the Question
The question asks to identify the mode of pollination based on specific morphological adaptations of the pollen and the stigma. These features are part of "pollination syndromes," which are suites of flower traits that have evolved in response to a particular type of pollinator or abiotic agent. The presence of light, non-sticky pollen and feathery stigmas suggests a mechanism that relies on air currents rather than biological vectors like insects or birds.
Step 2 : Detailed Explanation
Lightness of Pollen: For pollen to be carried over long distances by the breeze, it must be extremely light. Heavy pollen would settle too quickly due to gravity. By being lightweight, these grains can stay buoyant in the air for extended periods.
Non-Sticky Nature: Insect-pollinated plants have "pollenkitt" or sticky coatings so they can adhere to an insect's body. Wind-pollinated plants lack this stickiness so that the grains can easily separate from the anther and from each other to be dispersed as individuals in the wind.
Large Quantity Production: Wind pollination is a non-directional and wasteful process. Most pollen grains will never land on a compatible stigma. To compensate for this low success rate, anemophilous plants produce massive quantities of pollen to ensure at least a few reach their target.
Long and Feathery Stigmas: A feathery (plumose) stigma acts like a net. It increases the total surface area available to intercept wind-borne pollen. Being long allows the stigma to extend outside the floral envelopes, directly into the path of the air currents.
Contrast with Other Modes: Insect and animal pollination (Option A and D) require sticky pollen and attractive flowers. Water pollination (Option B) usually involves ribbon-like or specially weighted pollen to float at specific depths. None of these match the "feathery" and "light/non-sticky" descriptors.
Step 3 : Final Answer
The combination of light, abundant, non-sticky pollen and feathery stigmas is the classic diagnostic suite for anemophily. Therefore, pollination is facilitated by wind (Option C).