IN-VITRO GERMINATION OF CAPRIFIG POLLEN G RAINS USING STIGMATIC EXUDATE OF A COMMON FIG AS A PROMOTER

To improve the pollen germination of caprifig 'VC-180' (Ficus carica L . var. intermedia Shinn X F. carica L. var. sylvestris Shinn) in vitro , stigmatic exudate from long-styled pistillate flowers of 'Masui Daup hine' (F. carica L. var. hortensis Shinn) was added to a medium. 1. Th e optimum pollen germination of 'VC-180' occurred when 2 or 3 pistilla te flowers of 'Masui Dauphine' were embedded per cm(2) of basal medium (1% agar+10% sucrose) for 3 hours under 5 degrees to 15 degrees C. 2. More than 70% of the pollen grains germinated and grew vigorously dur ing a 7-hour-culture kept at 25 degrees to 30 degrees C. 3. Pistillate flowers within a syconium (20 similar to 32 mm diam.) of the second c rop of 'Masui Dauphine' figs promoted pollen germination. Likewise, po llen grains from the summer crop of caprifig 'VC-180' germinated regar dless of the maturity of the syconium in the presence of the stigmatic exudate.