Pollen Tube Formation

Pollen Tube
Pollen tube is responsible for delivering the
sperm to the embryo sac
The pollen is hydrated when it lands on the
stigma
Hydrated pollen starts germinating to form
the pollen tube
A directional supply of water is important
for the pollen tube to penetrate the stigma
(Wolters-Arts et al., 1998 in Franklin-Tong,
1999)

Experimental Result
Solutio
n

B*

Concentratio
n (%)

Initi
15
al
mins.

30
mins.

45
mins.

1 hr.

10

15

20

30

10

15

20

30

*1 pollen tube formation present in each [15% and 20%] concentration; observed within 1 day.

Experimental Result
Solutio
n

Concentratio
n (%)

Initi
15
al
mins.

30
mins.

45
mins.

1 hr.

10
C

15
20
30

10

15

20

30

*no pollen tube formation observed after two hours

Theoretical Results
Growth in Media
Media

Growth

+/-

++

+++

Medium D has same growth with B, but delayed.

Theoretical Results
For Sucrose Concentrations:
Ideal concentrations for optimum growth
is as 10% to 20%

Sucrose
Pollen grains are heterotrophic and
utilize sugars, mainly sucrose (Tupy,
1961)
Functions:
Maintenance of osmotic pressure
Provides nutrition and carbon energy
source in the media used
Optimum concentration varies with
species, usually 10-20% (Soni et al., 2010)
Too little sucrose causes pollen to burst;
too much causes the development of
shorter, thicker tubes

Boric Acid
Provides boron for pollen tube growth in
higher plants
Reduces bursting of pollen tubes and
enhances percentage of germination
(Bhojwani and Bhatnagar, 2005)
Stimulates the uptake of sugar and
oxygen from the medium (OKelly, 1957;
Stanley and Lichtenberg, 1963); cellular
respiration
Uncertain mechanism of action:
Sugar-borate complexes facilitate translocation
of sugar
Increase rate of metabolism of sugars

Boric Acid
Involved in the biosynthesis of tube
wall
May be involved in synthesis of pectic
compounds (Schmucker, 1935)
Binds with calcium to form complexes
necessary for wall formation
Bound to hydroxyl-rich organic
molecules like sugars and its residues:
compounds produced by this bonding
enables capture of proteins necessary
for wall formation

Calcium Nitrate
Pollen Growth Factor (PGH) was
discovered to be Ca2+ (Brewbaker
and Kwack, 1963)
Ca2+ is an essential requirement
of pollen tube growth
(Bendnarska, 1989)
Pollen grains have low calcium
content and require large
amounts in medium for tube
growth (optimum amount
depends on species)

Calcium Nitrate
Protects pollen tube against
substances that inhibit growth,
by binding into pectic regions
of the tube wall (de Bruyn,
1966; Kwack, 1967)
rigidity: prevents bursting of
pollen tubes
permeability: regulates
uptake of solutes preventing
loss of internal metabolites
(e.g. carbohydrates)

Calcium Nitrate
Calcium binding is nonmetabolic
and exchangeable; calcium can
diffuse into media
Higher concentration of calcium
in the medium prevents diffusion
Supplementation of calcium in
the medium leads to
development of straight and
rigid pollen tube with vigorous
growth

Magnesium Sulfate
According to Brewbaker and
Kwack (1963) Mg2+ enhance the
effect of calcium ions resulting in
vigorous growth of pollen tube
Effect of many of these ions
could be due to induced changes
in the pH of the medium, or their
effect on the uptake, binding,
and activity of calcium ions
(Branscheidt, 1930)

Potassium Nitrate
Like Mg2+, K+ facilitates uptake
and binding of calcium
(Brewbaker and Kwack , 1963)

Agar
Provides stability so that the growth
of individual pollen tubes can often
be monitored (Martin, 1972)
The solidified surface of the
germination medium could mimic the
micro-milieu conditions for pollen
germination in vivo (Fen et al., 2000)
The higher density of agar medium
causes the pollen tube to grow
slower because of the resistance of
motility compared to liquid medium

Growth Chamber
Humid environment is needed
Dehydrated pollen grain sown in
a growth medium should be
adjusted to a favorable pH and
osmolarity under appropriate
conditions of temperature and
humidity (Raghavan, 1997)
Moist environment is required
because the pollen tube absorbs
water for it to grow longer

References

Delph- Lynda, F., Weining, C. and Suttivan, K. (1998).Why fast

growing pollen tubes given rise to vigorous progeny. Proc. Royal
Soc. London series 13 Biol. Sci.265: 935-939
Pollen (n.d.) Britannica Online. Retrieved from
http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/467883/pollen#ref18
6410
Soni et al.(2010).Effect of Different Concentration Of Sucrose
During In Vitro Pollen Germination and Pollen Tube Growth in
Cleome Gynandra L. Dist: Sabarkantha, North Gujarat

Simpson, M.G. (2006). Plant systematics. Elsevier Academic

Press.