Authors : F. Azimi Motem , J. Carapetian , Gh Bakhshi Khaniki and R. Talaie
Abstract: Initial investigations have revealed the existence of 9 species from this genus in the Ardebil province of Iran. Plants of this genus have a rather vast spread in the province and the lack of prior investigations with regard to the longevity of their pollen grains has prompted this study. In this research, initially, the plant species were identified and their growth areas in the Province were determined. Subsequently, the longevity of pollen grains from each species was determined with the use of Tetrazolium Bromide solution. The number of live and dead pollen grains in a count of 500 were determined at one hour intervals. The grain count was continued until the percentage of live grains was dropped to a zero value. With regard to each species, the type of correlation between the percentage of pollen grain longevity and time was determined. Using the calculated equations, it was hence possible to predict, with a minimum error, pollen grain longevity for different time intervals. The results of this research has revealed that the highest live pollen percentage and longevity belongs to Papaver oriental L. var. parviflora Bush. (99.96% and 70 h) and the lowest value belong to Papaver gaubae Cullen and Rech.f. (zero percent and zero h). In addition it was revealed that a close relationship exist between the environmental factors and the longevity of pollen grains. This type of relationship also exists among populations within each species. In other words, pollen grain longevity in various populations is variously under the effect of environmental factors in each species.
F. Azimi Motem , J. Carapetian , Gh Bakhshi Khaniki and R. Talaie , 2008. Variation in the Longevity of Pollen Grains in some of Poppy Species. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 3: 1166-1170.