Vol. 11, Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Naveenaa S, J Auxcilia, N Meenakshi Ganesan, K Hemaprabha and C Kavitha

Abstract:
Carica papaya L. (papaya) is an economically important fruit crop with huge benefits. Pollen quality is an important tool for plant breeders for carrying out breeding programmes. The present study was conducted to compare three different staining methods and three different composition of germination medium for assessing pollen viability and in-vitro pollen germination studies in three papaya genotypes viz., TNAU Papaya CO.8 (variety), Vasconcellea cauliflora (wild relative) and intergeneric hybrid (3-8-22-84). Unopened flower buds of three papaya genotypes were collected at 7:30-8:30 am for evaluating pollen viability and in-vitro pollen germination. Pollen viability was assessed using three different stains viz., acetocarmine (V1), potassium iodide (V2) and aniline blue (V3). In vitro pollen germination was assessed using three pollen germinating media viz., 10% sucrose (T1), 10% sucrose + 300mg calcium nitrate + 100mg boric acid + 200mg magnesium sulphate +100mg potassium nitrate (T2), 20% sucrose + 300mg calcium nitrate + 100mg boric acid + 200mg magnesium sulphate +100mg potassium nitrate (T3). Among all the three papaya genotypes, maximum pollen viability was recorded in TNAU papaya CO.8 whereas maximum pollen germination recorded in Vasconcellea cauliflora. Among three stains, Acetocarmine (V1) stain effectively differentiated viable pollen grains from non-viable pollen grains compared to other stains in all three papaya genotypes. Among three in vitro germination medium, 10% sucrose (T1) media composition resulted in maximum percentage of pollen germination compared to other media composition in all three papaya genotypes.