Acceleration of the Growth of Camellia sasanqua Pollen by Soaking in Organic Solvent

Abstract

Camellia sasanqua pollen that had been soaked in acetone or diethyl ether for only 5 minutes grew three to four times longer pollen tubes than unsoaked pollen. Although the acceleration of pollen tube growth was observed when the pollen had been soaked in cold solvents (5 C,-15 C) for 100 days, soaking in warm solvents (30 C, 24 C) caused it to decrease gradually, and the pollen eventually lost the ability to germinate. The acceleration may be caused by removing in-hibitor from the pollen grain by the organic solvents.