Pollen morphological characteristics, viability test and storage of endangered medicinal plant Atractylodes lancea

Abstract

To study the pollen morphological characteristics, viability test and storage character of the endangered plant Atractylodes lancea. Pollen grains morphologies of A. lancea were observed by scanning electron microscope. The optimum culture medium and viability determination methods were screened out by liquid culture and dyeing methods, and then the pollen germination capacities in different storage conditions were detected. The pollen grains are quasi-spherical, with tricolpate and spinous sculpture. The optimal culture medium was ME3 + 16% PEG4000 + 10% sucrose, in which the pollen germination capacity reached to 62.1%, while the other three dyeing methods were not able to be applied to detecting the pollen viability of A. lancea. The low storage temperature could significantly prolong the storage time of pollen of A. lancea. At -80 degrees C, pollen viability could be maintained for 60 days. Liquid culture method is suitable for the determination of pollen germination of A. lancea, and the rate of pollen germination is closely related to the storage time and temperature. At last, this study provides a foundation for the artificial pollination and cultivating in wildness of A. lancea.