OPTIMIZATION OF CONDITIONS FOR IN VITRO POLLEN GERMINATION AND POLLEN TUBE GROWTH OF DATE PALM (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.)

Abstract

Pollen germination and pollen tube growth can have a profound effect on fruit and seed production. This study was conducted to investigate the best medium for pollen germination and pollen tube growth of date palm male. Significant differences in percentage of pollen germination and in pollen tube growth were observed between mediums. The use agar-based medium containing 5% of sucrose, 0.20 g/l boric acid, 0.42 g/l calcium nitrate, 0.1 g/l potassium nitrate and 0.22 g/l magnesium sulfate gave the best results in terms of germination and/or tube growth. The germination percentage was declined with polyethylene glycol and naphthaleneacetic acid, and inhibited completely with fructose, glucose and date extract. These results could have implications not only for optimizing pollen management in date palm but also to select the best pollinizer for this specie.