TOXICITY OF PESTICIDES TO POLLEN GERMINATION OF 'HADEN' MANGO

The toxicity of pesticides was investigated by determining the effect of selected pesticides on pollen germination of mango (Mangifera indica), both in vitro and in vivo. Among the pesticides tested, acephatemet and methomyl were the least toxic to mango pollen germinated on agar medium containing the test pesticides. Toxicity was greater when the pesticides were sprayed on the surface of germination medium. The fertilization of mango flowers was extremely sensitive to all pesticidal sprays when applied 2 hr before or 4 hr after hand pollination except for acephatemet. Pollen tube growth and initial fruit set were influenced to a lesser degree when pesticides were applied to flowers sprayed 24 hr before pollination.