New equipment improves pollen viability

The North Carolina Forest Service's pine seed orchards are now producing enough pollen to permit controlled crossings for progeny testing. To complete the crossings systematically, it has been necessary to store the needed pollen for varying lengths of time. In preparing the pollen for storage, we found that drying the maturing male flowers (staminate strobilus) by exposing them to heat in a ventilated room proved unsatisfactory because there was no control of the temperature or humidity level within the drying area. Pollen from some clones had good viability while other clones showed very poor viability. To correct this, we have designed and constructed a pollen extraction chamber and male flower container. The plywood chamber is approximately 4 x 4 x 8 feet in size. Inside, removable shelves are attached to three of the walls, and a door is constructed in the fourth wall. The walls are fastened together, as well as to the floor and ceiling, by bolts and wing nuts. With bolts and wing nuts and removable shelves, the chamber is portable and may be dismantled for storage when not in use.

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Author(s): K. O. Summerville, G. F. Turner

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 24, Number 1 (1973)

Volume: 24

Number: 1