Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Pollen Germination and Growth of Lily

Basic plant research under complex space conditions is required. this is frequently quoted by the world's space agencies, such as NASA. The aim of the present research is to investigate the effects of simulated microgravity on pollen germination and tube growth of Lily. Pollen viability was ascertained by staining with acetocarmine stain. Pollen grains were germinated on the growing media containing 10% sucrose, 1.6 mM H3BO3, 1 mM Kcl, 0.1 mM CaCl2 (pH=5.7), and were incubated both in 1g and on the clinostat. After incubating for 2 h, pollen grains were studied to count for germinated grains and to determine percent germination and pollen tube length. The germination rate of pollen grains showed a tendency to increase under microgravity condition. However, pollen tube length showed a decrease when incubation was performed in simulated microgravity.