Pollen germination and pollen tube growth in vitro in quince cultivars

Abstract

Pollen germination and pollen tube growth in vitro in eight quince cultivars (ʻLeskovackaʼ, ʻVranjskaʼ, ʻMoravaʼ, ʻPazardzijskaʼ, ʻHemusʼ, ʻAsenicaʼ, ʻPortugalʼ and ʻTriumphʼ) were studied in the three-year period (2010-2012). Agar-plate method with three different concentrations of sucrose (10%, 15% and 20%) was applied. Statistically significant differences between quince cultivars were found in terms of pollen germination and pollen tube length. The highest germination rate was found in 15% sucrose (78.72% in average). Slightly lower germination was found in 20% sucrose (78.52%), while the lowest germination was determined in 10% sucrose (73.76%). Among quince cultivars, the highest germination rates were found in ʻTriumphʼ and ʻAsenicaʼ, and the lowest in Leskovacka. Increasing the concentration of sucrose increased the pollen tube length (from 1435.8 μm in 10%, followed by 1790.7 μm in 15% to 2077.5 μm in 20%). Pollen tube length in 20% sucrose concentration ranged from 1770.3 μm (ʻVranjskaʼ) to 2574.4 μm (ʻAsenicaʼ). Based on obtained results, the sucrose concentrations of 15% and 20% can be recommended as optimal for pollen germination of quince cultivars.