Hydrodynamics and the germination of oil-seed rape pollen

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Abstract
Summary: Pollen grains of oil-seed rape, Brassica napus, were germinated in vitro in conditions in which water activity could be closely controlled. Germination success depended on the humidity experienced by the grains before contact with the germination medium, as well as on the osmolarity of that medium. On contact with the germination medium the grains swelled and then shrank. Each suffered one of three fates: it burst, or it germinated without bursting, or it did neither, remaining unchanged. Grains that were to remain unchanged swelled least. Those that were to burst swelled most. Those that were to germinate were intermediate.Some implications for in vitro germination studies are discussed.