The Effects of Different Chemicals on Pollen Germination and Tube Growth in Allium Cepa L.1

Abstract

Abstract Effects of boric, indole-3-acetic, gibberellic, succinic and fumaric acids, and water extract from onion bulbs on onion pollen germination and tube growth were studied. Boric acid stimulated pollen germination and tube growth at 100 mg/liter but was toxic at 200 mg/liter. Indole-3-acetic acid slightly increased pollen germination and tube elongation at 0.05 mg/liter, but inhibited pollen tube growth at 200 mg/liter. Gibberellic acid not only enhanced germination percentage, but the higher concentrations also increased the pollen tube lengths. Succinic and fumaric acids stimulated germination, but pollen tubes burst at the higher concentrations. At 200 mg/liter of fumaric acid no germination of pollen grains was observed, but with 25 ml of bulb extract in the culture medium, germination and tube growth were stimulated. Pollen tubes developed abnormally at higher concentrations.