pnut pnut Peanut Science 0095-3679 0095-3679 American Peanut Research and Education Society 10.3146/i0095-3679-1-1-5 Articles Preliminary Evaluations of Techniques for Collecting and Culturing Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) Pollen1 Deaton F. Faucette and Donald A. Emery 2 Instructor of Botany and Microbiology, Chowan College, Murfreesboro, N. C. (presently Asst. Professor, Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, Va. 24502) and Professor of Crop Science, N. C. State University, Raleigh, N. C. 27607

1Paper no. 4194 of the Journal Series of N. C. State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, N. C. This research was supported in part by NSF College Teachers Research Participation Program 1969 and in part by Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Association, Franklin, Va.

 3 1974 1 1974 1 1 14 18 American Peanut Research and Education Society 1974 American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstract

The effects of time and method of pollen sampling, method and duration of pollen maintenance, media and plant genotype on peanut pollen germination and tube growth were observed. It was concluded that flower and anther sampling contributed much variability to pollen germination but the optimum times for pollen collection were from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Saving time during the summer months in Raleigh, N. C. Pollen maintained at 8 C germinated better and produced longer tubes than did pollen stored at room temperature. Desiccation of pollen for periods up to 6 days was found necessary if pollen was to be maintained more than 1 day. A 15% sucrose medium was found to maximize pollen germination. Attempts to differentiate parental and hybrid plant genotypes by pollen tube growth were not successful as flower to flower and plant pollen variability was too high to permit comparisons.