In vitro germination and viability of pollen grains of banana diploids

• Published in: Crop breeding and applied biotechnology Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 111 - 118
• Main Authors: Soares, T.L., Silva, S.O., Costa, M.A.P.C., Santos-Serejo, J.A., Souza, A.S., Lino, L.S.M., Souza, E.H., Jesus, O.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vicosa Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology 2008; Brazilian Society of Plant Breeding
• Subjects: culture medium; Diploids; genetic breeding; Germination; In vitro testing; Musa acuminata; Pollen; pollen tube; Viability
• ISSN: 1984-7033; 1518-7853; 1984-7033
• DOI: 10.12702/1984-7033.v08n02a03

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of pH on in vitro germination and pollen grain viabilityof banana diploids (AA) generated by the breeding program of Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura Tropical. The pollen grainswere inoculated in culture medium containing 15% sucrose, 0.01% H3BO3, 0.01% KNO3, 0.03% Ca(NO3)2.4H2O, 0.02%MgSO4.7H2O, solidified with 0.8% agar and pH adjusted to 5.8 or 7.0. Pollen viability was evaluated by staining with 1%acetic carmine. The germination percentages of the genotypes 9187-01 (90.0%) and M-53 (89.7%) in pH 7.0 medium werehighest, while the pollen tube length of genotype 9187-01 was approximately half the size (1.79mm) of genotype M-53(3.84mm). The pollen viability of the genotypes evaluated was higher than 85%, even for the diploids with a low in vitrogermination percentage.