| S.N | Self-pollination | Cross-pollination |
| 1. | Transfer of pollen grains to the stigma of same flower or to the stigma of another flower of the same plant. | Transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of another flower borne on a different plant. |
| 2. | Anthers and stigma mature at the same time. | Anthers and stigma mature at different times in a flower. |
| 3. | Usually self pollination does not require any external agency. | It requires external agencies like wind, animals, insects, water. |
| 4. | It gives rise to pure lines after a few generations. | It cannot give pure-lines as it brings about variation. |
| 5. | Less pollen grains are produced. | Pollen grains are produced in huge quantity. |
| 6. | Pollen grains are not wasted. | Pollen grains are wasted. |
| 7. | Plants are less resistant to disease and pests. | Plants are better resistant to disease and pests. |
| 8. | Does not contribute towards evolution. | Important role in evolution. |
| 9. | Lack of variation in characters. | Presence of variation in characters. |
| 10. | Useful characters are preserved. | Useful characters are not preserved. |
| 11. | Harmful characters cannot be eliminated. | Harmful characters can be eliminated. |
| 12. | Yield of the plants fall with time. | Yield of the plants usually increases. |
| 13. | Flowers are neither attractive nor produce nectar. | Flowers attract insects by various means like colored petals, nectar, etc. |
| 14. | It can occur even when the flower is closed. | It cannot occur when the flower is closed. |
| 15. | Produces homozygous off-springs. | Produces heterozygous off-springs. |
| 16. | It takes place in wheat , peas, etc. | It takes place in lady finger, tomato, brinjal, etc. |
Image source: braincart
References:
i) https://www.brainkart.com/article/Pollination–Two-types,-Significance,-Merits,-Demerits_16542/
ii) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cross-pollination