The effect of temperature on pollen germination and pollen tube growth of quince cultivars

Abstract

The effect of three different temperatures (8, 16 and 24°C) on pollen germination and pollen tube growth in vitro in eight quince cultivars (‘Leskovacka’, Vranjska’, ‘Morava’, ‘Pazardzijska’, ‘Hemus’, ‘Asenica’, ‘Portugal’ and ‘Triumph’) was studied. The research was carried out in a two-year period (2015-2016). Germination rate and pollen tube growth were determined on the culture medium containing 15% sucrose and 0.7% agar. The temperature showed a significant effect on in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube length. The lowest pollen germination was determined at the temperature of 8°C (22.73%). However, pollen germination was three times higher at temperatures of 16 and 24°C (62.60 and 72.16%, respectively). The temperature effect was significantly more pronounced on the pollen tube length. The smallest pollen tube length was determined at 8°C (241.5 μm) and it was four to five times lower than the pollen tube length measured at 16 and 24°C (809.6 and 1137.4 μm, respectively). On this basis, it can be concluded that the temperature of 8°C was not sufficient for pollen germination and pollen tube growth in quince cultivars. However, temperatures of 16 and 24°C were optimal for pollen germination and pollen tube growth.