For the purpose of analyzing pollen grains, a number of flower bud samples were harvested from all treated and non-treated tomato plants. In this regard, flower buds of reliable size were randomly selected and fixed in a freshly made Carnoy's fixative solution (mixture of ethyl alcohol, chloroform, and glacial acetic acid in a volume ratio of 6:3:1). The anthers were then stained with 1% aceto carmine staining solution. The fertility of pollen was evaluated using stain-ability tests.
Staining of pollen grains was used as a proxy for fertileness; unstained or crushed pollen was considered sterile; and bursting pollen grains were also included in the count [19 (link), 33 ].
The size of pollen grains that measured 1.5 times larger than the normally reduced pollen (n) in diameter was considered as unreduced (2n) pollen. Freshly visible pollen grains with clear characteristics were finally photographed using a HiROCAM (High-Resolution Optics Camera) digital imaging microscope eyepiece system [47 (link)].
Staining of pollen grains was used as a proxy for fertileness; unstained or crushed pollen was considered sterile; and bursting pollen grains were also included in the count [19 (link), 33 ].
Th
Free full text: Click here
