IN VITRO POLLEN GERMINATION OF FIVE CITRUS SPECIES

摘要

The aim of present study is In vitro germination of the pollen grains of five Citrus species belonging to the familyRutaceae viz., Citrus aurantium L. var., aurantium Hook.f., C. limon (L.) Brum. f., C. paradisii Macfad, C. reticulataBlanco and C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck. using “hanging drop” technique. The germination was checked up to 48 weeks, for thepollen stored at different temperatures like 4oC, -20oC, -30oC and -60oC. The study indicates that low temperature and lowrelative humidity is better than high temperature and humidity with respect to pollen germination capacity and viability.Freeze dryer (-60oC) seems to be the best method to maintain pollen viability of stored pollen grains for a long period oftime. Among five species Citrus aurantium, C. limon and C. sinensis showed high percentage of germination as compared toC. reticulata and C. paradisii.