Pollen viability and in-vitro germination in diploid and tetraploid Asparagus L.

Pollen germination and Pollen viability plays a vital role in flowering plants. Fertilization and seed set, is the principle outcome of pollen germination and pollen tube growth. These two aspects were worked out in a monocot plant, Asparagus L. family Liliaceae. Two species Asparagus racemosus Willd. (2n=20) and Asparagus densiflorus cv. Meyeri. (2n=40) were undertaken for comparative study. Pollen viability was evaluated in Acetocarmine Jelly and TTC, whereas in-vitro germination was tested in different basic medias of various concentration. It was observed that, pollen viability was high in both the species in Acetocarmine compared to TTC. It was 93% and 1.96% in diploids and 85% and 1.96% in tetraploids. In-vitro Pollen germination was good in sucrose media of concentration 10%-20% for diploid and 20%-30% for tetraploid. The genotype has an important role in germination.