Abstract:

To study the effect of temperature on pollen dispersal, pollen germination, pollen viability retention and self-fertilization of A.albus, the germination rate was determined by in vitro germination method, the self-fertilization rate was determined by incubator method, and the self-pollination rate was verified by bagging method. The results showed that the optimum temperature for pollen dispersal was 22-26℃, and pollen could be dispersed normally at 18℃, but more than 80% of the plants anther could not crack at 34-38℃. High concentration of Ca²⁺could accelerate the growth of pollen tube. The germination rate of pollen was 8.78%, 33.17%, 54.90%, 38.83%, 29.10% and 6.98% under 18, 22, 26, 30, 34 and 38℃, respectively. Pollen was inactivated within 4, 4, 12, 12, 25 and 55 h stored under 38, 34, 30, 26, 22 and 18℃, respectively. In constant temperature, self-pollination survival rate was 4.35% at 26℃. In the field bagging test, the self-pollination rate was 2.94% when the average daily temperature was 23.7℃. The most suitable temperature for pollen dispersal and germination in vitro was 26℃, too high or too low temperature could both reduce seed setting rate. Seed setting rate could be increased through such measures as gathering pollen in time, controlling temperature, adjusting humidity and proper irrigation.

Key words: Amorphophallus albus, temperature, pollen dispersal, pollen activity, germination in vitro, self-fertilization