Viability and storage of bromeliad pollen

Abstract

Several bromeliad species from two different subfamilies, were used to develop a reliable method to evaluate pollen viability. Pollen germination on a medium containing 20% sucrose, 0.001%H3BO3 and 0.5% agar was comparable to germination on a compatible stigma. Maximum germination was reached within 2 to 10 hours depending on the species. Based on this test, six species were considered as being good pollen donors with germination percentages between 49%and 83%. Furthermore, pollen from these species and cultivars could be stored in liquid nitrogen (–196 °C) without a considerable loss of viability. For all species, a dehydration period of 4 hours prior to cryopreservation and a rehydration period of 1 hour after cryostorage were essential. Greenhouse humidity influenced anther moisture content and cryostorability.