Polyethylene glycol enhances <i>in vitro </i>germination and tube growth of oil palm pollen

Abstract

169-172Sucrose or boric acid used by earlier workers for in vitro germination of oil palm pollen has not been satisfactory as germination is inconsistent, pollen tubes are short and show several abnormalities. Incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG 10,000) resulted in consistent and good germination, with long and normal pollen tubes. The best response was obtained on a medium containing sucrose (2.5%)+boric acid (100 ppm)+PEG (10%) in which pollen tubes were over 10 times longer than those in the medium without PEG. Use of PEG as a component of pollen germination medium for other species is suggested