A METHOD TO SEPARATE GERMINATED FROM UNGERMINATED POLLEN GRAINS

A simple, non-toxic and effective method to separate germinated from u ngerminated pollen grains has been developed using pollen from corn (Z ea mays L. cv. Pioneer 3747). After separation, 99.1% of the grains in the sample of germinated pollen grains had tubes; 97.2% of the grains in the sample of ungerminated pollen grains had no tubes. Recovery wa s 18.1% of the total grains for germinated and 1.5% for ungerminated p ollen grains. The separated germinated pollen grains retained viabilit y and continued tube growth when placed in culture medium.