Preservation of Potato Pollen

Abstract

The development of useful procedures for pollen storage evolves from the need to utilize pollen at some later time after collection. Reasons for storage include (1) convenience in making genetic crosses between individuals one or both of which may be difficult to flower at any given time; (2) maintenance of pollen in a very uniform physiological state such that it is available for experiments over an extended time period, and (3) a means for storing and distributing germplasm of desirable species. Inherent within the latter is the use for international exchange of germplasm (Bajaj 1979). Although many potato diseases are not pollen transmitted, transmission of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV) by potato pollen (Singh 1970) may limit such exchanges unless assurances of the disease-free nature of the pollen are possible. Other minor uses for pollen storage may involve more specific goals such as preservation for allergenic activity studies, use in apiary culture and generation of desired monoploids and haploids through microspore or pollen culture. Only the latter minor use is presently of concern for potato.