The effect of timing and storage temperature on pollen viability and pollen germination in Zephyranthes Hybrid

Abstract

The effect of timing and storage temperature on pollen viability and pollen germination in Zephyranthes hybrid on eight cultivars i.e. 'Red Candy', 'Bright Eye', 'Golden Mango', 'POS', 'Lookmai', 'Island Breeze', 'Madam Butterfly' and 'Paradee' were studied. The results showed that the low temperature stored pollen maintained a higher germination percentage than the one stored in the room temperature for 4-8 days in which the germination percentage decreased when the storage period increased in all cultivars. Moreover, the interaction between the 2 factors showed that the pollen germination percentage was declined for 4 or 8 days when stored at low temperatures (15.59-27.96% or 10.10-19.25%). Therefore, the optimal time of pollination in Z. hybrid should do at 09.00-11.00 a.m. and stored at 5°C for pollen viability and germination. 'Bright Eye' and 'Island Breeze' could be maintained for 12 days, but 'Golden Mango', 'Red Candy', 'POS', 'Madam Butterfly', 'Lookmai' and 'Paradee' could be maintained only for 8 days.