Pollen morphology and viability in Gliricidia sepium

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to study the pollen morphology and viability in Gliricidia sepium. The anthesis started around 6:30 a.m and the duration of the flowers on plant is approximately 8-10 hours. The pollen colour is yellow and pollen grains are circular in shape with three germpores. The size of the pollen grain is 0.40µm. The pollen grain of Gliricidia sepium showed maximum percentage of pollen viability by acetocarmine test at room temperature was found to be maximum (87.50%) in the first day of pollen collection and decreased to 18.50 % after 15 days of storage at room temperature. In in-vitro pollen germination the maximum germination 75.50 per cent was obtained in 20 per cent sucrose concentration. Within 20 per cent sucrose concentration the storage temperature of -18 ± 1EsC and 4 ± 1EsC gave germination percent of 59.50 per cent and 53.00 per cent after 90 days of storage. Pollen stored in room temperature lost viability after 60 days of storage.