Freeze-drying and room temperature storage of coconut pollen

Abstract

Experiments to determine the conditions necessary for room temperature storage of coconut pollen, particularly of the ‘Jamaica Tall’ variety, are described. Preliminary experiments using the “Speedivac 5 PS freeze-drier” over a wide range of drying times indicated that 15 minutes was better than the longer periods tried, and room temperature storage for periods in excess of three months was recorded. Pre-cooling with dry ice and acetone was found to be unnecessary. Centrifuging during drying lowered drying efficiency and good viability was retained only when initial pollen moisture content was low The effect of longer drying periods with centrifuging have not yet been investigated.

The optimum residual moisture content for successful storage at room temperature was found to be in the range 3.5–10.0%. Germination was sometimes improved by exposing the pollen to moist air for two to four hours.

Viable seed has been obtained following pollination with freeze-dried pollen; the results of further test pollinations are to be reported later.