Palynological characterization and germination of Tulipa gesneriana L. pollen

Abstract

In this paper are highlighted the main palynological characteristics of a popular genotype in the culture of ornamental plants, namely Tulipa gesneriana. Palynological investigations focused on: shape, color of pollen granules, exine ornamentation, size of pollen granules, number of germinative pores/pollen granule. The study is completed by establishing the germination capacity of pollen grains, for which tests of germination capacity were performed on carbohydrate-enriched artificial mediums in different concentrations. Carbohydrates added to the nutrient mediums were represented by sucrose and glucose, depending on which two categories of nutrient media were formed: sucrose mediums and glucose mediums. Tulipa gesneriana pollen has been found to have a predilection for sucrose-containing nutrients compared to glucose. The highest level of germination (90%) was achieved on the medium with a concentration of 5% sucrose. The results of this study are important for the taxonomy of this genotype and in breeding programs.