Pollen storage studies in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Abstract

Date palm cultivation has been gaining popularity in the dry tracts of India. To optimize the storage conditions for long term storage of date palm pollen. Air dried pollen was sealed airtight in aluminium pouches and stored at 4 and -20 and -196℃. Viability of fresh and stored pollen was tested in vitro using hanging drop technique for different durations such as 2, 3, 6 and 12 months. Among the different storage conditions, the pollen retrieved from cryopreservation recorded highest viability throughout the experiment period. Significant and gradual reduction in the germinability of pollen stored under 4℃ was observed throughout the period of investigation. Cryogenic storage is a promising method to store date palm pollen for commercial date production, breeding programs and conservation of elite pollen parents.