The relationship of storage and viability of Lily pollen

The study was conducted to estimate the pollen viability of eight lily genotypes and optimum storage conditions. Pollen viability was assessed by in vitro germination, FCR (Fluorochromatic raction) test and fruit set test. Pollen grains were stored in the dark chamber where the temperature was maintained at 4 °C, -20 °C, and ¿70 °C and ambient room temperature (control) for one year. The highest percentage of germination in L. henryi, L. lancifolium, L. `Casa Blanca¿, L. formolongi `F1 August¿ and L. `Raizan¿ was observed when pollen grains were stored less than ¿20 °C from FCR test and in vitro germination test. On the other hand, the lowest percentage was found in pollen of L. `Connecticut King¿, L. `Barbaresco¿, and L. `Kissproof ¿. These cultivars had shown less than 10 percent germination under four storage conditions. The best storage temperature should be lower than ¿20 °C. Pollen grains of L. `Raizan¿, L. `Casa Blanca¿, and L. lancifolium still had sufficient capacity for fruit set after cross-pollinations after 1-year storage (except for room temperature). Highly significant correlations were found among the FCR test, in vitro germination, and fruit set test