REDUCED POLLEN VIABILITY IN THE ONION ALLIUM CEPA

Abstract

The fluorescein test was found to be a rapid and reliable method of assessing pollen viability in onions. This test revealed the presence of many pollen grains which contained cytoplasm but which were inviable as judged by germination on artificial media. There was very great variation in pollen viability between flowers on a plant, between anthers on a flower and between different parts of a single anther. Both viable and inviable grains occurred in large clumps consisting chiefly of one type of grain. Plants flowering in August which were nominally male fertile and had pollen grains with cytoplasmic contents, nevertheless, showed very high levels of pollen inviability. Possible reasons for this are considered. Copyright © 1976, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved