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Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 9/16/2009 Publication Date: 10/8/2009 Citation: Sakhanokho, H.F. 2009. Comparative Evaluation of Viability Assays for Storage of Ornamental Giner (Hedychium spp.) Pollen. Proc. 36th Annual Hort. Field Day Meeting, Mississippi State University Expt. Station. Extension Publications. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: In the United States, Hedychium plants are mostly grown in the southern part of the country where they generally flower in the summer and fall, but some species bloom in winter and spring times. This asynchronous flowering could constitute an impediment for breeders of that region to fully take advantage of the tremendous diversity that exists within Hedychium genus. Therefore, optimal storage conditions for Hedychium pollen to be used later on for pollination need to be investigated, but to assess the viability of the stored pollen, a convenient and reliable method of testing the pollen quality is required. Therefore, the objectives of this study was to assess the viability of stored Hedychium pollen by comparing three pollen viability tests, namely in vitro pollen germination, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and acetocarmine staining. FDA and acetocarmine were found inadequate for Hedychium pollen viability evaluation as they stain both viable and dead pollens. On the other hand, in vitro germination was found suitable for evaluating Hedychium pollen viability. Depending on the genotype, Hedychium pollen may be stored for at least 8 weeks at -20 0C. |
