Factors Influencing Date Pollen Viability

Authors

M. O. El-Mardi, Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, PO. Box 34, Al Khod 123, Sultanate of Oman
E. Consolacion, Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, PO. Box 34, Al Khod 123, Sultanate of Oman
O. AI-Manthari, Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, PO. Box 34, Al Khod 123, Sultanate of Oman
H. AI-Nabhani, Department of Agriculture Experiment Station, College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, PO. Box 34. Al Khod 123, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

Pollen of seven date cultivars was stored at 4.5 -5.0'C using desiccator with or without silica gel and in vials outside the desicator as a control. Germination percentage was determined microscopically with a hemacytometer after harvest and at three and six months of Storage, respectively, using a boric acid-sucrosce medium. Cultivar genotype did out influence the viability of pollen. Pollen stored for six months gave a higher germination percentage (45.9%) than three months (40.9%) indicating that pollen requires more than three months at 4.5 - 5C for the reactivation or its growth factors. An increase in relative humidity in storage containers resulted in reduced germination profiles. Germination percentages were 62.2, 42.9 and 22.79% at 18. 55 and over 55 relative humidity, respectively. Pollen stored in desiccator with and without silica gel gave a higher germination profile after six months than at three months storage whereas the control gave the lowest. The highest germination percentage was observed in pollen kept in a desiccator in the presence of silica gel for six months.

Recommended Citation

El-Mardi, M. O.; Consolacion, E.; AI-Manthari, O.; and AI-Nabhani, H. (1997) "Factors Influencing Date Pollen Viability," Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 2.
DOI: 10.24200/jams.vol2iss0pp55-58
Available at: https://jams.squ.edu.om/home/vol2/iss1/2

First Page

55

Last Page

58