Flowering and the Pollen Fertility in Iranian Garlic Clones

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) cannot produce seed because it is a sterile plant. For studying bolting and determination of pollen fertility، 68 Iranian garlic clones were gathered from different parts of Iran and evaluated in Research Field of Horticultural Department، Faculty of Agriculture، Bu-Ali Sina University in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. For determining the pollen fertility، some tests including specific RAPD marker، pollen germination، pollen viability detection using acetocarmine and in vitro culture of ovules and fruits were used. Results showed that 37 of Iranian garlic clones could produce scape and inflorescence. The percentage range of pollen stained with acetocarmine was from 0. 5 up to 20 percent showing infertility of pollens. Lack of two markers (OPJ121300 and OPJ121700) and pollen tube growth proved the infertility of garlic clones pollen. Fruits and embryo sac were alive for more than two months، showing their potential for producing seeds following pollination with fertile pollens.