Abiotic factors affecting in vitro pollen grain germination in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)

A reliable in vitro method for germination of sainfoin pollen grains has been developed. Highest pollen germination rate of 96% with mean pollen tube length of 223.5 mum was obtained on medium containing of 100 g/l sucrose, 200 mg/l KNO3, 150 mg/l H3BO3, 150 mg/l MgSO4, 150 mg/l Ca(NO3)(2), 175 g/l PEG 4000 and stigma extract at pH 6.5