The Male Gametophyte of Zea Mays L. III. The Influence of Temperature and Calcium on Pollen Germination and Tube Growth

Cook, F S and Walden, D B (1967) The Male Gametophyte of Zea Mays L. III. The Influence of Temperature and Calcium on Pollen Germination and Tube Growth. Canadian Journal of Botany, 45. pp. 605-613.

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Abstract

Corn pollen germination on an aqueous medium cont;iining sucrose, calcium, boron, and 1 % methyl cellulose produced tubes which attained growth rates of 12 p/min at 30 °C. After 30 to 60 min they fell to about half this value. Rates of elongation in the early stages of growth increased with a QI0 of 2 between 12 and 30 °c. The time required for the initiation of germination is a hyperbolic function of temperature. Maximum germination occurred at 20-23 °C; maximum rate of elongation during the first hour at 30-33 °C. Only a trace of germination occurred below 50 p.p.m. CaCI2. 2H2O and maximum at 250-300 p.p.m. Calcium levels had no effect on the time of initiation of germination, on the rate of elongation at 30 °c nor on the mean tube lengths after 30 min and 60 min of germination. A "population effect" was evident on the aqueous medium and was more pronounced at low levels of calcium. Two types of tests produced no evidence of a chemotropic response of pollen tubes to a calcium gradient. Pieces of style and endosperm also gave negative results. The pollen tube growth rates and lengths attained indicate that we are not yet able to control the factors for sustained growth. Some possible factors are discussed.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: I t is a pleasure to acknowledge the capable technical assistance of Mrs. P.Campbell and Mr. D. Hayden.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Pollen Germination, Tube Growth
Author Affiliation: Department of Botany, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
Subjects: Plant Production
Divisions: Other Crops
Depositing User: Mr Siva Shankar
Date Deposited: 20 Apr 2012 03:32
Last Modified: 20 Apr 2012 03:33
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/4875

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