Pollen Germinability and Cross-Pollination Success in Persian Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Mill.)

Low seed yield is a limiting factor for cross breeding and hybrid seed production in cyclamen. This study was performed to investigate pollen germination and its relation to cross-pollination success and fruit set in this plant. In order to achieve a high level of pollen germination, the effect of different concentrations of chemical compounds were examined on in vitro pollen germination of cyclamen in modified Brewbaker and Kwack medium, containing sucrose (10 and 20%), calcium nitrate (0, 200 and 300 mg l-1), and boric acid (0, 100 and 200mg l-1) at two pH levels (5.5 and 6.5). Maximum pollen germination was obtained in media containing higher concentration of calcium and boron regardless of sucrose concentration and pH level. Pollen germination percentage was genotype-dependent. Cross-pollination was performed among four different genotypes characterized by various pollen germination percentages. There was a direct correlation between cross-pollination success and pollen germination percentage. Genotypes with 30% higher pollen germination led to 10% increase in fruit set.