Anyone tried pollen on agar?

Loph · Post by **Loph** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 3:24 pm

simply to measure pollen tube lengths (or possible/probable lenghts), is this a possible venture? anyone tried it with cacti?

psi · Post by **psi** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:08 am

Is the idea to create a haploid plant?

Loph · Post by **Loph** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:05 am

no, i am trying to think of ways i can watch pollen tubes grow and at what speeds.

they wont, at least to begin with, be fertilizing anything. just seeing what is up with the pollen tubes of different species.

i am curious, what is it on/in the stigma that triggers teh pollen to germinate?

cooky173 · Post by **cooky173** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:08 pm

Hi Loph,

Just searched a database I get through University, and found the following paper (this isn't the same link, but takes you to the abstract)
link

Essentially, pear pollen on an agar plate grew best with a solution of sucrose. Fructose stopped growth, and glucose was less effective than sucrose.

I couldn't find any papers in my rather short search relevant to cactus.

Loph · Post by **Loph** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 1:21 pm

that is excellent, a great paper to start from. i have tried a couple dishes but was not right into it so mucked it up and they all contamed....

thanks for teh link, super helpful!