Abstract:
Objective Method for determining the viability of passion fruit pollens was explored to facilitate the utilization of existing germplasms and breeding new varieties.
Methods Medium and conditions for in vitro culture of Passiflora pollens was optimized. Appropriate staining methods to determine and storage conditions to maximize the pollen viability were investigated. Contents of sucrose, H3BO3, Ca(NO3)2, and polyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG-4000) of the medium were optimized in an orthogonal experiment on pollens of 6 germplasms. Pollen germination on the finalized medium for varied culture times was observed. The staining of I2-KI, TTC, and Alexander methods and storage for different durations at different temperatures were compared.
Results The optimum medium was formulated with 100 g·L−1 sucrose, 0.02 g·L−1 H3BO3, 0.04 g·L−1 Ca(NO3)2, 150 g·L−1 PEG-4000, 200 g·L−1 MgSO4·7H2O, and 100 g·L−1 KNO3, then adjusted to pH 5.5. The pollen germination was examined in 1 h of the in vitro culture. TTC staining showed satisfactory effect with no significant deviations from the in vitro observation indicating it an applicable indicator for pollen viability. In 24 h of storage at 25 ℃ the pollen viability was 30.48%; and at 4 ℃, it was 26.69% and remained 26.54%–29.05% for 7 d.
Conclusion The medium formulation and in vitro culture time as well as the staining method and storage conditions of passion fruit pollens were determined making a rapid and reliable procedure to maximize the pollen germination available.