INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON THE INVITRO GERMINATION OF POLLEN OF APRICOT (PRUNUS-ARMENIACA, L)

In vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth were studied in eight apricot cultivars at 5, 10, 15 and 20-degrees-C. Three incubation durations were used at each temperature and in each case germination was rapid, although at 5-degrees-C it was somewhat slower. The mean rate of pollen tube growth over cultivars after 48 h was less at 5-degrees-C although it did show appreciable development, there being no significant differences at the other temperatures. However, in some cultivars pollen germinated and grew as fast at 5-degrees-C as at other temperatures, which demonstrates an adaptation to low temperatures during blooming.