Which method involves transferring pollen from selected plants to achieve desired traits?

Artificial pollination is the method that involves transferring pollen from selected plants to achieve desired traits. This technique allows for controlled cross-breeding, enabling plant breeders to combine specific characteristics from two different plants to create offspring that exhibit those desired traits, such as improved yield, disease resistance, or specific flower color.

In this process, pollen from the male part of one plant is collected and manually transferred to the female part of another plant's flower. This controlled method is particularly useful in agriculture and horticulture where certain traits are preferred, and it can increase genetic diversity or enhance certain plant qualities.

Natural pollination occurs without human intervention, relying on wind, water, or animal pollinators to transfer pollen. Artificial insemination, on the other hand, is primarily associated with animals to introduce sperm into the female reproductive system and is not applicable to plants. Gene cloning involves making copies of specific genes but does not relate directly to the transfer of pollen for trait selection. Thus, artificial pollination is the most accurate method for achieving desired traits in plants through selective pollen transfer.