EXERCISE

POLLEN GERMINATION
Aim: To calculate percentage of pollen germination.

Principle: In nature, pollen grains germinate on the compatible stigmas of the carpel. Pollen grains can
also be induced to germinate in a synthetic medium. During germination, intine (inner wall) of pollen
grains emerges out as pollen tube through one of the germ pore in exine (outer wall).

Requirement: Vinca rosea flowers, 10% sucrose solution, glass slide, cover slips, needle,
compound microscope

Procedure:

1. Take a drop of 10% sucrose solution on a clean glass slide.

2. Dust the mature pollen grains on it.
3. Leave it undisturbed for 10 minutes.
4. Place the cover slip over the pollen grains without trapping any air bubbles.
5. Observe the slide under low power magnification of compound microscope.

Observation:

Pollen grains germinate and produce pollen tubes. Count the total number of pollen grains and
number of pollen grains germinated in the microscopic field. Tabulate the observation and calculate
the percentage of pollen grains germinated.

Result: Percentage of pollen germinated is:

Calculations:

a. Name of the plant used as pollen source: ----------------------

b. Number of pollen grains in a field of microscope (N) =

c. Number of germinated pollen grains in the same field of microscope (n) =

d. Percentage of pollen germination = n / N x 100

GERMINATED POLLEN GRAINS
(MICROSCOPIC VIEW)

Male gametes

Tube nucleus

GERMINATED POLLEN GRAIN