IN-VITRO GERMINATION OF PEPPER POLLEN IN LIQUID-MEDIUM

A liquid medium containing 5-10% sucrose, 0.1 mM boric acid and 1 mM c alcium chloride supported a germination percentage close to 50% and th e best tube growth for in vitro germination of Capsicum annuum pollen (F1 hybrid 'Latino'). The use of sucrose gave better results in terms of germination and/or tube growth than other sugars or polyethylene gl ycol. The germination of the pollen declined with time after flower op ening. The optimized medium was used to study the effect of cold night temperature on pollen viability and the results were compared with th ose obtained by two staining methods (acetocarmine and fluorochromatic reaction). The results obtained with the improved medium for the in v itro pollen germination related more accurately with the number of see ds per fruit, at cold night temperature, than did the staining tests e mployed.