APPLICATION OF THE LASER CONFOCAL SCANNING MICROSCOPE TO POLLEN OF TRIPLOID LOQUAT

A practical method is provided to obtain vivid pictures for the observation of the movement of generative nucleus in pollen of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) with laser confocal scanning microscope, free from the interference of auto-fluorescence by the pollen wall. The structure of pollen, the growth of pollen tube, and the movement of sperm cell can be observed as well as fusion of sperm and egg and embryo development. DAPI significantly increased the germination rate of loquat pollens which had been preserved at 4°C for 45–60 days.