Pollen Germination in Arisarum vulgare Targ.-Tozz.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain why pollen dropping from the dehiscing anthers of Arisarum vulgare into the chamber of the inflorescence remains there for weeks without germinating. It appears that the germination of Arisarum pollen occurs in two phases: I, the aeration phase and II, the germination proper phase. The second phase may be attained during experiments in two ways: A - in hanging drops of sucrose solution and B - on solid substrates in wet cells. Detailed study of the conditions necessary for aeration and germination by these two techniques clearly revealed that, in both cases, aeration is a crucial prerequisite for germination. In fact, an absence of aeration of the pollen scattered on the inner wall of the chamber is responsible for inhibition of germination. The ecological significance of such a need for aeration to attain normal pollen germinations is discussed.