Tetrazolium chloride as an indicator of pine pollen germinability

Abstract

Controlled pollination in forest tree breeding requires pollen of known germination capacity. Methods of determining pollen viability include germination in a hanging drop, in a moist atmosphere, on agar gel, or in a sugar solution (DUFFIELD, 1954; DILLON et al., 1957). Errors commonly arise in the application of these techniques because maximum pollen germination and growth is generally attained only when the grains are aggregated (HOLUBINSKI, 1945), or at optimal concentration of the pollen (BEAMS et al., 1947). Furthermore, fungal infection commonly occurs when pollen is germinated in vitro longer than 24 hours. Thus, determination of pollen viability by germination is time-consuming and frequently unreliable.

Citation

Cook, Stanton A.; Stanley, Robert G. 1960. Tetrazolium chloride as an indicator of pine pollen germinability. Silvae Genetica 9, Heft 5 (Sept. - Okt. 1960): p. 121-148