ISHS Acta Horticulturae 380: Symposium on Tropical Root Crops in a Developping Economy
COCOYAM (XANTHOSOMA SAGITTIFOLIUM SCHOTT [L.]) HYBRIDIZATION STUDIES: POLLEN VIABILITY AND SEED GERMINATION |
| Authors: | J.T. Tambong, M. Meboka |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1994.380.69 |
| Abstract:
The decline in cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) production in Cameroon principally caused by the root rot disease has stimulated research in breeding for resistant varieties. Only limited success has been achieved probably due to lack of information on critical aspects of the hybridization process such as pollen viability and seed germination. Earlier work on pollen viability at the Roots and Tubers Research Project (ROTREP) laboratory using a solid medium was not very successful. In the present study, a simple 5% aqueous solution of sucrose was found to promote pollen germination by up to 76%. Distilled water also supported pollen germination but at a low rate and with little tube growth. This sucrose concentration will be used to study the effect of different chemicals, e.g., boric acid, calcium phosphate, yeast, etc., on pollen germination. Seeds germinated 10 days after sowing. The tissue culture “plantcons” + vermiculite/soil mixture (1:1) (TCV) and water bottle + vermiculite/soil (1:1) (WB) supported the highest percentage germination with good transferable seedlings (36.1 and 32.9, respectively). These container/substrate combinations will be used for hybrid seedling production for field testing at ROTREP. | |
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