Pollen viability and in vitro pollen germination studies in Momordica species and their intra and interspecific hybrids

Abstract

The present work aimed to compare five staining techniques for pollen viability and three in vitro pollen germination media in Momordica spp and their interspecific hybrids. The freshly opened male flower were collected (7.30am to 8.00am) and evaluated for pollen viability and in vitro pollen germination. For pollen viability studies five different stains were used viz., Tetrazolium stain, I2KI stain, Aceto-carmine stain, Aniline blue stain and Modified Alexander stain. In vitro pollen germination were estimated using three pollen germination solutions viz., 10% sucrose, 10% Sucrose + 100 ppm Boric acid and sucrose @15 % + Boric acid @0.25% + Calcium nitrite @300mg solution. Off the pollen viability stains, Modified Alexander stain differentiate viable and non-viable pollen more accurately than other stains. Among the in vitro pollen germination media, sucrose @15 % + Boric acid @0.25% + Calcium nitrite @300mg solution showed maximum per cent of pollen germination and pollen tube growth. All five staining methods overestimated the pollen viability.