The Effect of Heavy Metal Toxicity on Pollen Viability and Pollen Tupe Growth in Red Chief and Granny Smith Apple Cultivars

In plant, pollination is a key event for fruit set and affected by environmental factors. During pollen germination and pollen tube growth, the plant is sensitive and against the environmental pollution of the generative organs of the plant is more sensitive than vegetative parts due to the toxicity and fertilization of plant in inappropriate conditions such as pollination and fruit attitude is adversely affected. In this study, the influence of different concentration of the heavy metal (Cd, Co, Pb, Hg and Zn) on pollen germination and tube growth of two apple cultivars (Red Chief and Granny Smith) was investigated. In cultivars, pollen viability rates were determined by TTC (2-3-5-trifeniltetrazoliumklorid) and they were average 84.4% in Red Chief and 75.4% in Granny Smith. In additionally, cultivars were significantly affected by both heavy metal and levels of them. Pollen germination and tube length of cultivars were decrease with increase in metal concentrations. Cobalt (Co) showed lowest inhibitory effect on pollen germination and tube length in apple varieties while Mercury (Hg) had the highest effect