A Study of the Viability and Storage Conditions of Camellia Pollen

The Camellia pollen (in the early opening and in full bloom) was used as test materials. The effects of flower opening degree and storage conditions on the pollen viability were studied by means of benzidine staining and inorganic acid. The results showed that the inorganic acid method was not suitable for the determination of the pollen viability of Camellia,but the benzidine staining method could determine quickly the pollen viability of Camellia. The viability of the two kinds of pollen was high on average,and yet gradually declined along with the prolonging of the preserving period. The degree of flower opening did not effect obviously on the pollen viability,but the effects of storage conditions were significant. The two kinds of pollen could be stored for 12 days at the room temperature(13℃~25℃) without loss of viability. Under 2℃ cold storage condition, the pollen in full bloom could be stored only for 26 days without loss of viability while the pollen in early opening only for 30 days.