MAGNETIC STIMULUS: A NOVEL TOOL TO PROMOTE PAPAYA POLLEN GERMINATION

Abstract

Electromagnetic flux produced linear increase 'in vitro' germination
and reduced the incubation period of'mounts' ofquiescent papaya (Carica
papaya L. cv. 'Washington') pollen. The linear trend for germination
began at lS oerstedand continued progressivelyupto70S oersted (when the
percent increase over control was calculated). At lS oersteads the per cent
increase over control was 6.1 and at 70S oersteads it was Sl.S. The best
operating strengths were 72 (46.2 ......), 90 (79.4"'''') and 70S (Sl.S......) oersteds.
Also, the incubation period ofpollen mounts for both germination and tube,
growth was halved, with germination being more responsive to the treatment
than tube growth. Moreover, tube growth did not follow alinear pattern. In
tube growth significant increase over control was produced at 90 oersteds
(41.9......)andat 70S oersteds (45.2......). Atpresent, possible errors in handling
techniques of 'in vitro' viability test's result in valuable and viable germplasm
being discarded. This methodofmagnetic stimu'lation could beused to break
the quiescence of pollen in order to successfully evaluate inherent genetic
potential of pollen.