Artificial Germination of Gossypium Pollen and Its utilization in Interspecific Fertilization In Vitro

The effects of different media and cultural methods on cotton pollen germination were compared. Pollen germination was successful on the improved Taylor solid medium in which the extracts of the stigmata and petals of the original species, and the comprehensive amino acids were added, respectively. The germinating pollens were viable, and active protoplasmic streaming was observed within the pollen tube. It was found that low temperature pretreatment could increase the pollen germination rate. The reasons that low temperature pretreatment stimulated pollen germination and castor oil caused abortive germination of cotton pollens were discussed. In vitro fertilization between two species of Gossypium can be promoted by smearing the stigmata with the improved Taylor medium.