A STORAGE TREATMENT FOR POLLEN MAINTENANCE IN EASTERN AND MEXICAN GAMAGRASS

Various desiccating and temperature treatments were applied to fresh p ollen of eastern gamagrass (T. dactyloides var. dactyloides, T dactylo ides tar. hispidum) and mexican gamagrass (T. lancelatum) to discern w hich treatments are most appropriate to maintain pollen viability over extended periods of time. A secondary goal was to test the longevity of gamagrass pollen under those OptiMuM conditions. General viability of the pollen was reduced over time as measured by initiation of polle n tube growth on a agar medium. Following pollen tube germination, the rate and length of the pollen tube was also observed to be depressed with the optimum storage treatment. Data indicate that simple refriger ation (4-degrees-C) of fresh pollen, stored within a desicator, provid es an adequate environment for maintenance of pollen for 10 days with approximately 10% viability. These in vitro results were corroborated by controlled nursery pollinations.