Assessment of The Effect of Gamma Ray Treatments on Pollen Behavior in Cyclamen

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of gamma irradiation on pollen grains of Cyclamen persicum L. which is a valuable ornamental pot plant. Pollens were irradiated at different doses (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 450 Gy) of gamma-ray using Co-60 source and pollen viability and in vitro pollen germination test were carried out and tube length of in vitro germinated pollens was measured. Additionally, in vivo pollen development was visualized by performing an aniline blue fluorescence method. Average pollen viability was ranged from 82.02% to 87.03%. The highest pollen germination rate (66.13%) was observed in the control group at 24 h after irradition, while the lowest rate (28.51%) was determined in 450 Gy treatments at 72 h after irradition. The shortest pollen tube length (48.02 µm) was observed at 72 h old non-irradiated pollen grains, while the most extended pollen tube length (79.37 µm) was determined in pollen grains irradiated with 300 Gy at 24 HAI. When the irradiation dose increases from 150 Gy to 450 Gy, inhibition on pollen germination and pollen tube elongation within the style were observed.