Comparison of Five Determination Methods of Marsdenia tenacissima Pollen Viability

PurposeIn order to study pollen viability and improve fruiting rate, and to provide theoretical basis for rapid propagation.

MethodTTC staining, acetic acid magenta staining, I₂-KI staining, peroxidase staining and pollen germination in vitro were used to determine pollen viability of Marsdenia tenacissima

ResultIt was found that the pollen viability measured by TTC staining, acetic acid magenta staining, peroxidase staining and in vitro pollen germination were all lower than 60%, among which the pollen viability measured by in vitro pollen germination was the lowest, only 0.02%, significantly lower than the other four methods (P<0.05). The pollen viability measured by TTC staining, acetic acid magenta staining and peroxidase staining was 51.44%, 52.10% and 39.02%, respectively, with no significant difference among the three (P>0.05). The pollen viability measured by I₂-KI staining was up to 90.85%, which was significantly higher than the other four methods (P<0.05).

ConclusionThe most suitable method for the determination of pollen viability is I₂-KI staining, and the pollen viability decreases with the increase of flower age.