Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXV, Issue 1
Written by Elena BONCIU, Elena ROȘCULETE, Ramona Aida PĂUNESCU, Cătălin Aurelian ROȘCULETE, Gabriela PĂUNESCU
The biological function of pollen grains in plants is to transfer the genetic material from the male to the female reproductive organ. Pollen viability has a particular importance because it allows knowing the value of a genotype as a pollinator in various interfertile combinations or artificial hybridization. Pea (Pisum sativum) has an impressive nutritional profile and is considered to be an essential food for the proper functioning of the human body, especially since it is an important source of protein. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of pollen grains to some pea genotypes and the percentage of pollen germination on artificial substrate (in distilled water). The anthers were harvested in the advanced flower bud phase from four pea genotypes experimented at SCDA Caracal, University of Craiova. The results obtained showed a high viability of pollen grains in all four peas genotypes tested, with values between 95.36-98.55%. On the other hand, it was found that on the artificial medium, after 24 hours the germination percentage was reduced (39.25%), only a small part of the pollen tubes presenting the entire content expelled. This suggests that the rainfalls during peas flowering can negatively affect the germination of pollen grains, by diluting the stigmatic liquid. Regarding the length of the pollen tubes after 24 hours, it was found that, on the artificial medium, the values recorded were higher than on the stigma, the elongation rate having a more accentuated rate at the beginning of germination, after which there is a gradual decrease of this rate.
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