Resumo

PARES-MARTINEZ, J; BASSO, C; JAUREGUI, D  e  MELENDEZ, L. Quantity, viability and germinability of pollen grains in Carica papaya L.. Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2006, vol.23, n.2, pp.172-180. ISSN 0378-7818.

With the aim of contributing to the knowledge of the floral biology of papaya cv. Cartagena Amarilla, quantity, viability and germinability were determined in grains of pollen in masculine and hermaphrodite flowers, according to the classification of Storey. Quantity as well as viability was determined using a hemacytometer, using aniline blue in lactophenol at 1%. For the germinability a sucrose solution was used at 5%. The results indicated market differences among floral types. Thus, floral types IV, IV+ and V produced the highest quantity of pollen grains per flower, compare to types II and III. Viability percentages were 6, 22, 69, 73 and 91% for floral types II, III, IV, IV+ and V respectively. While, germinability percentages were 11, 19, 71, 77 and 92% for types II, III, IV, IV+ and V, respectively. These results allow to conclude that at the time that floral types tend to masculinity increase the quantity, viability and germinability of its grains of pollen.

Palavras-chave : Papaya; pollen quantity; pollen viability; pollen germinability.