Pollen biology of ornamental ginger (Hedychium spp. J. Koenig)

An improved in vitro pollen germination assay was developed to assess the viability of stored Hedychium pollen. The effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) (10, 15, and 20%, w/v) on pollen germination and tube growth was evaluated for Hedychium longicornutum and two commercial Hedychium cultivars, ‘Orange Brush’ and ‘Filigree’. Overall, the inclusion of PEG 4000 in the medium improved both pollen germination and tube growth for the three different genotypes tested and the results varied depending on genotype. In vitro germination was used to assess the viability of Hedychium pollen stored up to two months. Pollen nucleus status was determined for four Hedychium cultivars, ‘Orange Brush’, ‘Anne Bishop’, ‘Filigree’, and ‘Daniel Weeks’. Pollens of ‘Orange Brush’, ‘Anne Bishop’, and ‘Daniel Weeks’ were found to be binucleate but ‘Filigree’ was shown to possess both binucleate and trinucleate pollens. High pollen:ovule ratio values were obtained in several Hedychium taxa. The results obtained on the nuclear pollen status and pollen:ovule ratios will further our understanding of the pollination biology and help clarify the taxonomy and phylogeny of Hedychium species.     

Effects of genotype and stigma development stage on seed set following intra- and inter-specific hybridization of Dianthus spp.

The caryophyllaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the pink or carnation family. Members of this family are widely grown as ornamental plants. The species Dianthus chinensis, Dianthus barbatus, and Dianthus superbus include notable examples of such ornamental varieties. Intra- and inter-specific hybridization is important for the breeding of improved varieties and, therefore, it is desirable to optimize the efficiency of cross-pollination procedures within this family. Here, we conducted intra-specific pollination using four lines of D. chinensis, and inter-specific pollination between D. chinensis, D. barbatus and D. superbus genotypes. For each of these crosses we recorded information of pollen viability, stigma development stage at time of pollination, pollen germination on the stigma surface and pollen tube elongation within the stigma, and final seed set. Pollen viability levels were determined at the start of anther dehiscence, which occurred on day 1 of flower opening. The genotypes D. chinensis var. ‘Bz2’, D. barbatus var. ‘Xb’, and D. superbus wild species ‘Qm’ all displayed good levels of pollen viability (i.e. between 68% and 75%); D. chinensis vars. ‘H58III’, ‘H68I’ and ‘H6II’ showed lower levels of pollen viability (i.e. between 32% and 51%). In each Dianthus line, the stigma organs were observed to undergo morphological changes during the 1–7 d following flower opening. We have characterized these changes as five distinct development stages, namely, ‘column’ (day 1), ‘Y-like’ (day 2), ‘Y-shaped with slight curve’ (days 3–4), ‘Y-shaped horn-like’ (days 5–6), and ‘wilting’ (day 7). Pollen was artificially applied to stigma organs at each of these development stages and aniline blue staining was used to follow pollen tube germination on the stigma surface and pollen tube elongation down the length of the stigma. This showed that the ‘Y-shaped slightly curved’ stigma stage (3–4 d) was optimal for pollination. The ‘Y-shaped horn-like’ stage (5–6 d) was also receptive to pollination. By contrast, the earlier ‘Y-shaped’ (2 d) and ‘column’ (1 d) stages, and also the later ‘wilting’ (7 d) stage, were far less receptive. Parallel field experiments were conducted in which seed set was measured following the artificial pollination of flowers at different development stages. These data also indicated that the optimal time for pollination was during 3–4 d of flower opening. This conclusion held true for both intra- and inter-specific crosses of the various Dianthus lines. Thus, stigma receptivity in Dianthus does not become optimal until 3–4 d after flower opening. Since anther dehiscence occurs at 1 d (i.e. when stigma are at the unreceptive ‘column’ stage), this suggests that Dianthus employs a delayed self-fertilization strategy. We also found a significant effect of genotype on pollen tube growth and seed-set values. The highest numbers of seed per flower were achieved when the D. superbus wild species ‘Qm’ was the female parent in inter-specific crosses. Thus, genotype and stigma development are identified as key factors that determine the success of cross-pollination in Dianthus lines.     

Effects of low temperatures on sexual reproduction of ‘Tainong 1’ mango (Mangifera indica)

Prevailing ambient temperature during the reproductive phase is one of important factors for seed and fruit set in different plant species. In mango (Mangifera indica L.), natural low temperatures during flowering induced seedless fruits. Here the sexual reproduction process of ‘Tainong 1’ mango at low temperatures (diurnal maximum temperature < 20 °C) was studied. For comparison, we also examined this process at “normal” temperatures (diurnal maximum ranging from 25 to 30 °C, diurnal average temperature > 20 °C). Results showed: natural low temperatures significantly affected pistil and male gametophyte development, resulting in pollen grains with low viability. Meiotic chromosomal irregularities, including univalents, multivalents, laggards, bridges and micronuclei were detected at higher incidences and significantly greater proportions of nucleolus fragmentation and dissolution were detected when temperatures were low. Pollen tube growth was retarded under low temperature stress, either in vivo or in vitro. The virtual absence of sexual reproduction of ‘Tainong 1’ mango at low temperatures appears to be due largely to slow growth of pollen tube in vivo and to a low rate of successful fertilization.     

A pollen extender medium technology for seedless watermelon production by pollination with soft X-ray irradiated pollen

The inactivation of pollen by soft X-ray irradiation and subsequent artificial pollination are time-intensive practices used in the production of seedless watermelons (Citrullus lanatus L.). Watermelon generally has a lot of staminate flowers; however, they only have a small amount of pollen. Watermelon pollen cannot be used in pollination under the present situation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine which is the most effective pollen extender medium for cultivation of watermelon with soft X-ray irradiated pollen. In this experiment, ‘Agar,’ ‘Marriage powder,’ and ‘Sekishoshi’ (Lycopodium dyed red with safflower pigment) were used as extender media with soft X-ray irradiated pollen at equal or twice the weight of the pollen. When ‘Sekishoshi’ was used as an extender medium, fruit set was very low. A lot of deformed fruit was produced when agar was used with the pollen. On the other hand, when ‘Marriage powder’ was used in equal proportions with the pollen, fruit set was about 70% and, moreover, Brix was high. Thus, the mixture of ‘Marriage powder’ with an equal amount of pollen was the best for use in actual cultivation. We conclude, then, that soft X-ray irradiated pollen in an extender medium can be effectively adapted for producing seedless watermelons.     

叶面施硒对甜柿果实品质及重金属含量的影响

 以‘阳丰’、‘兴津20’和‘次郎’甜柿为试材,分别用0、50、100、150、200 mg · L^-1 浓 度的亚硒酸钠进行叶面喷施,研究硒和重金属镉、铅、汞在甜柿机体内的积累情况以及硒对果实品质的 影响,探明硒对镉、铅和汞的互作效应,以期为叶面施硒改善甜柿果实品质提供理论依据。试验结果表 明：硒处理浓度以150 mg · L^-1 为最佳;甜柿叶片和果实中的硒含量随施硒浓度的增大而增大;在0 ~ 150 mg · L^-1 范围内随着外源硒浓度的增大,叶片和果实中的镉、铅、汞含量下降,果实中可溶性糖、维生素 C 和可溶性固形物含量上升,可滴定酸含量下降;施硒浓度达到200 mg · L^-1,叶片和果实中重金属含量 上升,果实品质下降;叶面喷硒可明显抑制3 种甜柿品种中镉、铅、汞的含量,并且对‘兴津20’的镉、 汞含量的抑制幅度最大,对‘次郎’中的铅含量抑制幅度最大。‘兴津20’综合表现优于‘次郎’和‘阳 丰’。     

Effects of post-harvest foliar boron and calcium applications on subsequent season's pollen germination and pollen tube growth of pear (Pyrus pyrifolia)

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar boron and calcium application after harvest on the quantity and activity of pollen in the ‘Housui’ and ‘Wonwhang’ pears on a subsequent year. Pollen grains of the ‘Housui’ pear were cultured on germination medium, to which had been added boric acid (0, 25, 75, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg L⁻¹) and calcium nitrate (0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, and 500 mg L⁻¹). Boric acid, which was added to the germination media, exerted a significant stimulatory effect on both pollen germination and pollen tube growth, although pollen tube growth was inhibited at higher concentrations than 300 mg L⁻¹. Calcium nitrate addition stimulated pollen germination, except at concentration of 500 mg L⁻¹. However, pollen tube growth was significantly inhibited with increasing concentrations of calcium nitrate. In the orchard experiment, boron and calcium were sprayed at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 500 or 1000 mg L⁻¹ onto leaves after harvest, respectively. Boron and calcium content in the tissues as well as pollen production and growth were determined after these treatments. The foliar application of boron mainly resulted in an increase of boron concentration in buds. It also induced an increase in the weight of the anther and pollen in the following year. On the other hand, the foliar application of calcium resulted in an increase of calcium concentration mainly in the leaves, but pollen weight was decreased at high concentration treatment in the following year. The germination rate and tube growth of collected pollen were highest in the trees which had received boron treatment at a concentration of 200 mg L⁻¹. In contrast, the germination rate and tube growth of collected pollen were decreased by calcium application at concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg L⁻¹ without significant increase at lower concentrations. Consequently, the accumulation of boron in the developed buds of pear trees subjected to post-harvest foliar boron application generated positive effects on both the quantity and quality of pollen in the following year.     

Breaking the intergeneric crossing barrier in papaya using sucrose treatment

A breeding programme was undertaken using Carica papaya var. Surya and Vasconcellea cauliflora with a view to raise progenies resistant to ‘papaya ringspot virus’ (PRSV). Earlier studies have clearly demonstrated the cross incompatibility between these two genera. Hence, an attempt was made to break this barrier using sucrose. The pollen of V. cauliflora was collected and pollination was carried out by smearing sucrose solution in the concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% on to the stigmatic surface of the flower. At 5% sucrose concentration, maximum viable seed set (13.73) was obtained. Sucrose at 5% was observed to break the intergeneric barrier by enhancing the pollen germination. There was drastic reduction in the effect of sucrose with the decrease in the concentration levels. The pollen germination studies carried out with and without sucrose clearly demonstrated the efficacy of sucrose in enhancing pollen germination and pollen tube growth. The intervarietal hybridization carried out between the varieties Surya and Pusa Dwarf showed 91.7% set of the fruits with 300 viable seeds per fruit. The hybridity of the progenies was confirmed using ISSR primers by the amplification of DNA from progenies and parents. Four primers UBC 807, 810, 814 and 861 clearly amplified male specific bands, which were present in progenies, but absent in female parent.     

In vitro germination and seedling development of cryopreserved Dendrobium hybrid mature seeds

In vitro germination and seedling development from Dendrobium Swartz. hybrid ‘Sena Red’, ‘Mini WRL’, ‘Jaquelyn Thomas’, and ‘BFC Pink’ seeds cryopreserved through vitrification (PVS2) were evaluated. Germination percentages after cryopreservation (LN) were variable among different controls and treatments, despite the initial high seed viability for all hybrids. Seeds exposed to PVS2 at ice temperature from 1 to 3 h prior to LN exhibited significantly higher germination than seeds exposed to PVS2 at room temperature for the same time periods. No significant differences in germination percentages were observed for time exposure to PVS2 at 1, 2 or 3 h for ‘Sena Red’, ‘Mini WRL’, and ‘BFC Pink’. Seeds of ‘Jaquelyn Thomas’ exposed to 1 h prior to LN showed higher germination percentage than for exposure to 2 or 3 h. The combination of a pre-cooling treatment (ice) with a dehydration treatment (PVS2) for a period of time of 1–3 h was essential to allow proper germination of cryopreserved seeds. Although variability in seed germination among different hybrids and treatments was observed, germination was above 50% of the controls and all germinated seeds developed into normal seedlings with healthy shoot and root formation. No abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, or diseases were observed in developed seedlings and no significant differences were observed for seedling growth and development from germinated seeds among the different hybrids. Seedlings transplanted to pots acclimatized well and developed into normal plants within 6–8 months in greenhouse. Transplanted seedlings exhibited 100% survival for all hybrids.     

Characterization of yield,sensitivity to Botrytis cinerea and antioxidant content of several rose species suitable for edible flowers

Yield, susceptibility to Botrytis and levels of antioxidants are important traits of fresh edible flowers. These parameters were determined for 12 garden rose cultivars selected as edible flowers: ‘Mount Shasta’, ‘San Francisco’, ‘Brandy’, ‘Maxim’, ‘Sweet Surrender’, ‘Amadeus’, ‘Eterna’, ‘Trier 2000’, ‘English sachet’, ‘Golden Celebration’, ‘Pat Austin’ and ‘Katharina Zeimet’. Yield of most cultivars ranged between 80 and 300 flowers/plant (for 64 weeks), which is higher than that produced by cultivars suitable for cut flowers. The yield makes the selected garden cultivars suitable for commercial growth as edible flowers.     

Study on nutraceutical properties of different cultivars Ipomoea aquatica Forsskal (‘Chunbai’ and ‘Liulv’) in an eutrophic water body

Ipomoea aquatica Forsskal is a fast-growing aquatic economic plant and has been applied widely to purify eutrophic water, but little is known about the edible safety of it for humans or animals. The main purpose of our research was to assess the metal (copper, zinc, lead, cadmium and chromium) concentration and nutritional quality in the edible part of I. aquatica Forsskal (‘Chunbai’ and ‘Liulv’) growing in eutrophic water. The results showed that all levels of these metals were within the acceptable levels in our present studies, and the metal accumulating potential varied mainly depending upon levels of metal contamination in the water body in which they were growing. In the present investigation, nitrate content (NO₃–N) had no significant differences between ‘Chunbai’ and ‘Liulv’, but had significant differences (p < 0.001) between eutrophic water and Hoagland nutrient solution. Soluble protein, soluble sugar, and vitamin C content were affected greatly by variety and solution (treatments). The soluble protein and vitamin C content in ‘Liulv’ were one time higher but the soluble sugar content was one time lower than that in ‘Chunbai.’ The soluble protein and soluble sugar of plants cultivated in nutrient solutions were one time lower than that in eutrophic water. In addition, the vitamin C content of plants grown in Hoagland nutrient solution was approximately two times higher than that in eutrophic water. The possible utilization of these aquatic vegetables to meet the demands of food and health perspectives for consumers is discussed.     

Improvement of flower color by means of leaf treatments in lily

Flower color, an important feature biologically and commercially, is based on four natural pigments – flavonoids, carotenoids, betalains and chlorophylls. Temperature, light, nutrition – as well as additions of sugar, salt, or metals to the conservation water – have an effect on pigmentation. We investigated the effects of K-sulphate and/or sucrose on flower color in leaf treatments applied 30–10 days before harvest to four Asiatic lily (Lilium × elegans Thunb.) cultivars during the winter and summer. Colors of tepals were evaluated by a portable spectrocolorimeter that calculates the standard CIE L*a*b* coordinates and the color differences (E). After leaf treatments during both seasons, cultivars with flowers with high red components (e.g. the purple ‘Fangio’ and the pink ‘Brindisi’) showed significant improvements in color quality. The orange-flowered ‘Tresor’ showed improvement only if K-sulphate and Mix (K-sulphate and sucrose) solution treatments were applied during the summer. The yellow-flowered ‘Menorca’ was not affected by treatments during either summer or winter forcing season. Especially in the winter, a significant reduction in flower abortion was observed for cut flowers of all cultivars. In summer only ‘Fangio’ and ‘Tresor’ showed a reduction in flower abortion. Also, flower size and longevity were improved by the leaf treatment. The results, obtained from a commercial nursery operation, demonstrate that lily growers can adopt a very simple and inexpensive treatment to improve important qualitative traits of their product.     

In vitro pollen germination in avocado (Persea americana Mill.): Optimization of the method and effect of temperature

An improved in vitro pollen germination method was developed for avocado (Persea americana Mill.). The effect of different concentrations of sucrose, polyethylene glycol (PEG), Mg and Ca on pollen germination was evaluated in order to determine the optimal pollen germination medium, i.e. that maximizing the percentage of pollen germination and minimizing the percentage of bursted pollen grains. Once the germination medium was optimized we used it to study the effect of temperature on in vitro pollen germination and tube growth in different cultivars from the three botanical varieties of avocado, that differ in their adaptation to environmental conditions. Significant differences in percentage of pollen germination and in pollen tube growth were observed among cultivars. These results could have implications not only for optimizing pollen management in avocado but also to select the best pollinizers for a particular cultivar.     

重金属对蒲公英种子萌发及叶片渗透调节物质含量的影响

采用水培法利用发芽和出苗试验,研究不同浓度的重金属Hg2+、Pb2+、Cr3+、Cd2+、Cu2+、Zn2+对蒲公英种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:重金属对蒲公英种子萌发有低浓度的促进效应和高浓度的抑制效应.当重金属浓度很低时不影响种子的发芽指数,随着重金属浓度的提高,发芽指数、发芽势、发芽率均会降低, 叶片内的脯氨酸含量均显著增加.可溶性糖含量呈现先上升后下降的趋势.总体上来看,Hg2+的毒性最强,对蒲公英种子萌发的影响程度依次为Hg2+>Cd2+>Pb2+>Cr3+>Cu2+>Zn2+.     

Effect of distance from early flowering pollinizers ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’ on ‘Fiji’ fruit set

An apple orchard consisting of a single cultivar under the condition of natural pollination must have suitable pollinizers such as Crab apples to ensure stable fruit production. We selected ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’ as pollinizers for the cultivar ‘Fuji’, and investigated the rate of fruit and seeds in ‘Fuji’ fruits produced by pollen of the pollinizers. We developed a method for tracing pollen flow based on the leaf color of progeny and S-RNase allele of ‘Maypole’, and on Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) analyses of ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’. These were powerful tools for determining the distance insects (mainly Osmia cornifrons) carry pollen from the pollinizers to ‘Fuji’. Although the fruit set of ‘Fuji’ apples was not reduced with increasing distance between ‘Fuji’ apple trees and pollinizers (probably due to pollen flow from other commercial cultivars planted outside the area), the rate of ‘Fuji’ apple fruit produced by the pollen of the pollinizers decreased with increasing distance. The rate of fruit produced by the pollinizers was 84% and 77% when ‘Fuji’ was 2.5 m from ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’, respectively, and 71% and 64% when ‘Fuji’ was 5 m from ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’, respectively, but was reduced to 47% and 39% when ‘Fuji’ was 10 m from ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’, respectively. However, the spacing could cause reduced fruit size, and require extra fruit thinning for producing large fruits. It could also cause reduction of the yield for increasing the planting area of pollinizers. We recommend that pollinizers should be planted not more than 10 m from ‘Fuji’.     

Production of intraspecific hybrids between wild-type and petaloid-sepal cultivars in Habenaria radiata

Orchids are commercially important plants with flowers that are unique and very specialized in shape and color. The flowers consist mostly of sepals, lateral petals, lip (labellum) and column, and are zygomorphic and resupinate. Whereas most orchid species have petaloid tepals in the first and second whorls, Habenaria radiata has a flower with greenish sepals and white lateral petals and lip. ‘Hishou’, one of the cultivars of H. radiata, is a floral homeotic mutant and has a petaloid median sepal and lip-like lateral sepals in the first whorl. Additionally, this cultivar often has non-resupinate flowers whereas wild-type H. radiata flowers are resupinate. In the present study, we investigated the genetic inheritance of these characters in the ‘Hishou’ cultivar by crossing it with wild-type plants. Some intraspecific hybrids, which were confirmed by PCR-RFLP analysis, had flowers with a petaloid median sepal and lip-like lateral sepals in the first whorl, indicating that these were dominant characters. Since the remainder of the intraspecific hybrids had wild-type flowers, these characters must be heterozygous in ‘Hishou’ plants. Although ‘Hishou’ plants had non-resupinate flowers, intraspecific hybrid flowers were resupinate, even though they had the petaloid median sepal and lip-like lateral sepals. This result indicates that non-resupination must be a recessive character. Since sepal-petalization and triple lip characters of ‘Hishou’ inherited dominantly, these characters can be utilized for the breeding of Habenaria species by intra- and interspecific crosses.     

Screening Capsicum species of different origins for high temperature tolerance by in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube length

Successful fruit set depends on several reproductive processes including pollen germination and tube growth processes. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of temperature on pollen germination characteristics and to identify species/genotypic differences in Capsicum using the cumulative temperature response index (CTRI) concept. Pollen was collected from plants of seven genotypes from five Capsicum species, adapted to various parts of the world and grown outdoors in large pots. The pollen was subjected to in vitro temperatures ranging from 15 to 50 °C at 5 °C intervals. Pollen germination and tube lengths were recorded for all species after 24 h of incubation at the respective treatments. Species/genotypes differed significantly for in vitro pollen germination percentage and pollen tube length with mean values of 78% and 734 μm, respectively. The mean cardinal temperatures (T_min, T_opt, and T_max) averaged over genotypes, were 15.2, 30.7, and 41.8 °C for pollen germination and 12.2, 31.2, and 40.4 °C for pollen tube growth. The CTRI of each species/genotype calculated as the sum of eight relative individual stress response values, such as maximum pollen germination, maximum pollen tube length; T_min, T_opt, and T_max temperatures of pollen germination, and pollen tube lengths, identified species tolerance to high temperatures. Capsicum annum cv. Mex Serrano from Mexico was identified as tolerant, C. chacoense cv. 1312 and C. spp. cv. Cobanero from Argentina and Guatemala, respectively as intermediate and C. frutescens cv. Early Spring Giant from China, C. annum cv. Long Green from South Korea, C. spp. cv. NM89C130 and C. pubescens cv. 90002 from Guatemala as sensitive to high temperatures. The tolerant species/genotypes can be used in breeding programs to develop new genotypes that can withstand high temperature conditions both in the present climate and particularly in a future warmer climate.     

6-Benzylamino purine stimulates in vitro shoot organogenesis in Eucalyptus erythronema, E. stricklandii and their interspecific hybrids

In vitro bud and shoot organogenesis was investigated for the ornamental plants Eucalyptus erythronema var. erythronema, E. stricklandii and their interspecific hybrids cv. ‘Urrbrae Gem’ and ‘Hybrid 2.5’ by using 0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 μM BAP on apex and leaf explants. Callus developed on all explants and increased with all concentrations of BAP without significant differences between BAP concentrations. Buds formed on apex and leaf explants of E. erythronema and E. cv. ‘Urrbrae Gem’ especially with 1.0 μM BAP, but these buds rarely developed into shoots. Bud clusters formed on E. erythronema and E. cv. ‘Urrbrae Gem’ apex and leaf explants whereas E. stricklandii and ‘Hybrid 2.5’ produced fewer, individual buds on the explant. Shoots regenerated from apex explants of all genotypes with all levels of BAP, whereas few shoots of any genotype regenerated from leaf explants regardless of the number of buds formed. Shoots from apex explants could be multiplied successfully. Light microscopy showed meristems developed within the callus, and at the callus and bud surfaces. However, few shoots developed considering the level of bud and meristem formation. This report is the first for successful shoot organogenesis and multiplication in an ornamental eucalypt.     

Effects of Foliar-Applied Brassinosteroid on Viability and In Vitro Germination of Pollen Collected from Bisexual and Functional Male Flowers of Pomegranate

ABSTRACT

Evaluation of pollen viability and its germination capacity are essential criteria for pollinator’s characterization. Hormones have been used to increase yield and quality of pomegranates without any reference to effects on pollen viability or germination. With this point of view, effects of field-applied 22S, 23S-homobrassinolide (HBR) after bud break at concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 mg L^?1 were evaluated on pollen quality of Mayho?-8 pomegranate cultivar. After collection of the flowers of both sexual morphs (bisexual and functionally male), colorimetric test of 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (1%) were used to estimate pollen viability. Later, pollen germination was determined in vitro on a medium containing 1% agar and 20% sucrose. Results showed that pollen viability was under the influence of both the types of the flower and the concentration of the HBR. The highest pollen viability (96%) was obtained from both functional male and bisexual flowers treated with 0.1 mg L^?1 HBR. Germination ratio, on the other hand, was only affected by the hormone concentrations, and it increased significantly as the concentration was higher.     

The effects of temperature on in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth of Pistacia spp.

The pollen germination and pollen tube growth among nine Pistacia genotypes was quantified in order to identify differences in the tolerance of pollen to temperature variations. The effect of temperature on in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth was investigated in Pistacia vera (Uygur, Atli, Kaska, Sengel, Kavak), P. atlantica, P. khinjuk, P. terebinthus and P. palaestina. When pollen was incubated in a germination medium for 24 h in darkness, distinct differences were observed in pollen germination and pollen tube growth at different temperatures.     

Methods to improve the fertility of poinsettia

‘Success’ or ‘Red Splendor’ plants propagated by shoot tip culture or embryogenesis had higher pollen germination than those propagated by cutting. All clones of ‘Pepride’, ‘Peter Star’ and ‘Nobel Star’ propagated by cutting or by embryogenesis or shoot tip culture did not have viable pollen. ‘Peter Star’ mutants through mutagenesis could recover pollen viability. When both parents were propagated by tissue culture, fruit set increased compared to when one or both parents were propagated by cuttings. Furthermore, the number of the harvested seeds doubled per pollination set, when the tissue culture parents were used instead of cutting-propagation plants.