Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
Manju A, Sindhumole P, Jiji Joseph, Pradheep K, Sangeeta Kutty M and Seeja Thomachan Panjikkaran

Abstract:
This study was conducted at College of Agriculture, Veellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University, during 2022-23 to critically analyse the pollen morphology, viability, germination and stigma receptivity M. oleifera on each day of flower anthesis, specifically in PKM1 and Jaffna varieties to maximum reproductive succes s and genetic improvement. Flower anthesis in both varieties follows a morning pattern, with PKM1 from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, and Jaffna from 6:30 am to 7:30 am. The impact of sucrose, sucrose + H3BO3, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and magnesium sulphate on freshly dehisced pollen germination resulted 83.67% in 10% sucrose solution, with a mean pollen tube length of 665 µm. Artificial in-vivo pollination on stigmas at each stage of flower opening using freshly dehisced pollen grains yielded the highest success rates on the 2^nd and 3^rd days (45%) for PKM1, and on the 2^nd day (43%) for Jaffna suggested increased receptivity of the stigma during these specific days.