Efficient temporary pollen storage techniques for quality kiwifruit production

Asynchronisation in kiwifruit male and female flower anthesis is a common phenomenon across the kiwifruit-growing areas worldwide. This situation demands efficient short-term pollen storage techniques for successful kiwifruit production. Kiwifruit pollen was stored at room temperature, 0 °C, - 4 °C, - 10 °C, and - 20 °C. Six distinct storage periods- 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days were provided for pollen collected in cryo-vials under various storage temperatures. As tested by in vitro germination and acetocarmine tests, the analysis of variance clearly showed that storage method, days of storage, and the interaction between storage methods and days of storage had a highly significant effect (p ≤ 0.0001) on pollen viability. Room-temperature storage revealed a sharp decline in pollen viability as assessed by acetocarmine test and in vitro germination test and complete viability was lost within 42 days after pollen storage. Pollen storage at 0 °C, - 4 °C, - 10 °C and - 20 °C storage revealed considerable good pollen viability in terms of in vitro germination test and acetocarmine test as compared to room-temperature storage after 42 days of storage. The rate of decline of pollen viability was in the order of 0 °C > - 4 °C > - 10 °C > - 20 °C. Pollination with low-temperature stored pollen also revealed significantly higher fruit yield and quality parameters in comparison to room-temperature stored pollen. Therefore, our findings point to a dependable approach for preserving kiwifruit pollen those farmers may apply to get good quality and high yielding fruits.