| Abstract: | As a preliminary step to using gametophytic selection to obtain genotypes of maize, Zea mays L., differing for abscisic acid (ABA) content and/or sensitivity, the influence of ABA on the in vitro germination and tube growth of maize pollen and the presence of genetic variability for these traits was investigated. In a first experiment, pollen samples of three genotypes were germinated on substrates containing increasing amounts of ABA. Low ABA concentration (0.5 νM) significantly increased pollen germination and tube growth, while 500 νM ABA significantly decreased both traits, thus indicating that ABA can influence the growth of maize pollen in vitro. In a second experiment, eleven inbred lines were screened for the in vitro reactivity of their microgametophytes to ABA. The lines differed significantly for the response (% of control) of tube length, but not of pollen germination to ABA. |
