Module: | Pollination & Outbreeding Devices
Q37: Consider the following statements regarding the physiological requirements for pollen germination:
1. The natural germination of pollen grains on a compatible stigma requires specific hydration and chemical dialogues.
2. The trace element Boron is biologically essential for optimal pollen germination and sustained pollen tube elongation.
3. In vitro pollen germination requires a nutrient medium completely devoid of carbohydrates like sucrose.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. The trace element Boron is biologically essential for optimal pollen germination and sustained pollen tube elongation.
3. In vitro pollen germination requires a nutrient medium completely devoid of carbohydrates like sucrose.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: A
The correct option is A. Statements 1 and 2 are correct, but Statement 3 is incorrect.
Pollen germination is a highly active metabolic process.
When a compatible pollen grain lands on a stigma, it absorbs water and specific stigmatic exudates, initiating the protrusion of the intine through a germ pore to form the pollen tube.
Physiologically, the micronutrient Boron (often acting alongside Calcium) is absolutely critical for this process; Boron facilitates sugar transport, stabilizes the growing cell wall of the tube, and regulates the water uptake mechanism.
Statement 3 is factually incorrect regarding laboratory botany.
To artificially induce pollen germination in vitro (e.g., using pea or chickpea pollen), the standard pedagogical protocol strictly requires a hanging drop of nutrient solution containing 10 percent sucrose, along with boric acid and calcium salts, because the growing tube demands massive amounts of exogenous energy.
Pollen germination is a highly active metabolic process.
When a compatible pollen grain lands on a stigma, it absorbs water and specific stigmatic exudates, initiating the protrusion of the intine through a germ pore to form the pollen tube.
Physiologically, the micronutrient Boron (often acting alongside Calcium) is absolutely critical for this process; Boron facilitates sugar transport, stabilizes the growing cell wall of the tube, and regulates the water uptake mechanism.
Statement 3 is factually incorrect regarding laboratory botany.
To artificially induce pollen germination in vitro (e.g., using pea or chickpea pollen), the standard pedagogical protocol strictly requires a hanging drop of nutrient solution containing 10 percent sucrose, along with boric acid and calcium salts, because the growing tube demands massive amounts of exogenous energy.