Summary
Three methods for the long-term storage of narcissus pollen were compared; anthers in glass vials held in a desiccator with calcium chloride at 2°C, and polypropylene straws containing either anthers or naked pollen immersed in liquid nitrogen. Pollen from all storage treatments showed 15–16% germination in vitro after 3 days, compared with 27.4% for fresh pollen. Seed set per pod using pollen stored for 3 days was comparable to that of fresh pollen. However, after 351 days, pollen from anthers at 2°C exhibited only 0.1% germination and failed to set seed whereas no further change in germination rate was recorded for pollen from the two liquid nitrogen treatments and seed set was still equivalent to fresh pollen.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnabas, B., 1984. Freeze preservation of pollen. Les Colloques de l'INRA No. 21: 429–433.
Barnabas, B. & E., Rajki, 1976. Storage of maize (Zea mays L.) pollen at −196° in liquid nitrogen. Euphytica 25: 747–752.
Brewbaker, J.L. & B.H., Kwack, 1963. The essential role of calcium ion in pollen germination and pollen tube growth. Am. J. Bot. 50: 859–865.
Challen, M.P. & T.J., Elliott, 1986. Polypropylene straw ampoules for the storage of microorganisms in liquid nitrogen. J. Microbiol. Methods 5: 11–23.
Crisp, P. & B.W.W., Grout, 1984. Storage of broccoli pollen in liquid nitrogen. Euphytica 33: 819–823.
Fry, B., 1975. Breeding Narcissus for cut flower production. Acta Horticulturae. 47: 173–178.
Ganeshan, S., 1986. Cryogenic preservation of papaya pollen. Sci. Horticulturae. 28: 65–70.
Haunold, A. & P.C., Stanwood, 1985. Long-term preservation of hop pollen in liquid nitrogen. Crop Sci. 25: 194–196.
Hoekstra, F.A. & J., Bruinsma, 1975. Viability of Compositae pollen: germination in vitro and influences of climatic conditions during dehiscence. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 76: 36–43.
Lee, C.W., J.W., Thomas & S.L., Buchmann, 1985. Factors affecting in vitro germination and storage of jojoba pollen. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 110: 671–676.
Luza, J.G. & V.S., Polito, 1985. In vitro germination and storage of English walnut pollen. Sci. Horticulturae. 27: 303–316.
Luza, J.G. & V.S., Polito, 1988. Cryopreservation of English walnut (Juglans regia L.) pollen. Euphytica 37: 141–148.
Parfitt, D.E. & A.A., Almehdi, 1984. Liquid nitrogen storage of pollen from five cultivated Prunus species. HortScience 19: 69–70.
Tisserat, B., M.F., Gabr & M.T., Sabour, 1985. Viability of cryogenically treated date palm pollen. Date Palm J. 4: 25–32.
Towill, L.E., 1981. Liquid nitrogen preservation of pollen from tuber-bearing Solanum species. HortScience 16: 177–179.
Vithanage, H.I.M.V. & D., McE Alexander, 1985. Synchronous flowering and pollen storage techniques as aids to artifical hybridization in pistachio (Pistacia spp.). J. Hortic. Sci. 60: 107–113.
Withers, L.A., 1980. Tissue culture storage for genetic conservation. IBPGR Technical Report. International Board for Plant Genetic Resources. Rome 91 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bowes, S.A. Long-term storage of Narcissus anthers and pollen in liquid nitrogen. Euphytica 48, 275–278 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023661
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023661