Author(s): A. DAS, M. K. PANDIT, 1B. N. PANJA, 2PANDIYARAJ P. AND S. SAHA

Abstract: Pollen morphology, viability and in vitro germination of 21 eggplant genotypes were evaluated for two subsequent autumnwinter season during 2014-16. The optimization of sucrose and boron medium for pollen germination has been standardized from eleven germinating media. The medium containing 5 per cent sucrose and 4ppm boron recorded the highest germination of pollen in all the three types (Round, oval and slender). For the first season, the range of pollen germination percentage was 57.44% (BCB-14) to 22.52% (BCB-5) and in the second season 60.05% (BCB-14) to 22.07% (BCB-8). Pooling the mean data over the seasons, it has been found that BCB-10 had the highest pollen viability (76.59%) and BCB-16 the minimum (57.14%). Range of pollen diameter was from 34 (BCB-27) to 22.84 micrometer (BCB-9). Pollens are mostly round in shape. Micro pollen were also noted in all 21 genotypes. Percentage of micro pollen (pollens which are smaller than actual pollen size) was the lowest in BCB-14 (10.03%) and the highest in BCB-1 (32.56%). The higher the micro pollen percentage is the lower the hybrid seed production. Micro pollen diameter ranged from 8.37 (BCB-22) to 14.74ìm (BCB-4).

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