Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of pH on in vitro germination and pollen grain viability of banana diploids (AA) generated by the breeding program of Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura Tropical. The pollen grains were inoculated in culture medium containing 15% sucrose, 0.01% H3BO3, 0.01% KNO3, 0.03% Ca(NO3)2.4H2O, 0.02% MgSO4.7H2O, solidified with 0.8% agar and pH adjusted to 5.8 or 7.0. Pollen viability was evaluated by staining with 1% acetic carmine. The germination percentages of the genotypes 9187-01 (90.0%) and M-53 (89.7%) in pH 7.0 medium were highest, while the pollen tube length of genotype 9187-01 was approximately half the size (1.79mm) of genotype M-53 (3.84mm). The pollen viability of the genotypes evaluated was higher than 85%, even for the diploids with a low in vitro germination percentage.
Highlights
Banana (Musa spp.) produces one of the worldwide most consumed fruits and is exploited in most tropical countries
In a genetic breeding program, knowledge on pollen viability is one of the essential factors, when one intends to use the technique of artificial hybridization, since the relation pollen - stigma depends on the grain viability, stigma receptivity and genetic interactions between pollen and stigma
The understanding of the viability and capacity of pollen germination, aside from the pollen tube growth are fundamental for studies of reproductive biology and genetic breeding of some fruit plants, indicating the direction and underlying safe controlled hybridizations to generate new hybrids and/or increase the viability (Marcellán and Camadro 1996, Dane et al 2004, Salles et al 2006)
Summary
Banana (Musa spp.) produces one of the worldwide most consumed fruits and is exploited in most tropical countries. It is mostly grown by small farmers and plays a considerable socioeconomic role in many countries, in view of the importance as foodstuff and source of foreign currency on the local and international market. In a genetic breeding program, knowledge on pollen viability is one of the essential factors, when one intends to use the technique of artificial hybridization, since the relation pollen - stigma depends on the grain viability, stigma receptivity and genetic interactions between pollen and stigma. Studies on pollen grain in vitro germination can identify male gametes with high viability for hybridization programs (Krishnakumar et al 1992). The understanding of the viability and capacity of pollen germination, aside from the pollen tube growth are fundamental for studies of reproductive biology and genetic breeding of some fruit plants, indicating the direction and underlying safe controlled hybridizations to generate new hybrids and/or increase the viability (Marcellán and Camadro 1996, Dane et al 2004, Salles et al 2006)
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