ABSTRACT
Pollen grains are generated by microgametophytes of seed plants. These are produced by anthers undergoing meiosis resulting in microspores with three micronuclei being generated. Pollen grains are powdery and their numbers depend upon the nature of plants; if cross-pollinated, anthers extrude and produce large numbers of pollen grains. Determination of pollen fertility by staining pollen grains in acetocarmine is routinely used for cereal crops. This stain is quick and yields precise information on pollen fertility and sterility. Alexander developed a stain for examining fertile and aborted pollen grains. To ascertain compatibility in wide crosses, pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and fertilization are determined by fluorescence microscopy. The pollen staining depends upon the concentration and pH of stain and thickness of the pollen walls. The pollen germination protocol developed by Rodriguez-Enriquez et al. for Arabidopsis thaliana requires the following medium. This medium was derived with several formulations.
