Abstract:
The effects of extended time period of pollination on seed yield and pollen viability,
storability of pollen of eggplant were studied. The extended time period of pollination
was conducted using 100 plants and pollination was performed at 30 minute intervals
starting from 6.30 am to 1.00 pm in RCBD experiment with five replicates at
Government Seed Farm at Alutharama. Number of fruits, number of seeds, viability of
seeds, Percentage of filled seeds, weight of seed and ambient temperature during
pollination (Temperature) were recorded. Pollen viability and storability were assessed
using extracted pollen during 9.30 am-10.30 am. Pollen samples were stored under
different Temperature in refrigerator and in ambient temperature. Each treatment was
replicated five times. Pollen viability and germination were measured using 2,3,5-
triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and Sucrose medium respectively, and fruit set
was determined using artificial pollination in RCBD experiments with three replicates
at HORDI, Gannoruwa. Analysis of variance was done by using SAS and JMP IN
software packages.
Fruit set (76.3 %), seed viability (80%-100%) and Percentage of filled seeds (89.24%
and 84.32%) during extended pollination time (6.30 am to 8.00 am and 10.00 am. to
11.30 am) were not significantly different from recommended (8 .0 0 am to 1 0 .0 0 am)
time.Greater fruit set percentage was observed from 6.30 am to 11.30 am. Highest
pollen viability was reported at -20 °C and highest fruit setting was recorded for pollen
storage at -18 °C. Pollen stored for 3 days showed highest fruit set (78.6%) while 74.6
and 7 3 .3% of fruit set percentage was recorded for pollen stored for five days and seven
days, respectively. Highest pollen viability was recorded 3 days after storage, whereas
pollen stored for five days showed lowest viability (56.8%).
