Evaluation of Growth and Pollen Viability (Fertility) in Relation to Fruit Set among Five Varieties of Tomato

The evaluation of pollen viability and fruit setting capacity are two essential criteria for pollinator’s characterization. This study was carried out to evaluate pollen Fertility/ viability in five Varieties of Tomatoes. We analyzed the viability of pollen grains of five different varieties of tomatoes grown in ITM University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. Aceto- carmine method is used to estimate pollen viability. The germination percentage, pollen viability and Fruit setting rate were recorded at different stages respectively. Pollen viability in relation to fruit set was analyzed while growth parameters and fruit yield per plant of each variety were also collected and analyzed. Results displayed that the highest pollen viability rate (100%) was obtained in SWEAKAR-448 Variety followed by Arka Vikas (95%), ARJUN-135 (93%), 9005-SIRI (90%) and PKM-1 (80%). The highest percentage of germination (95%) was shown by 9005-SIRI Variety and maximum fruit setting (15-20 Fruits per plant) was recorded in the SWEAKAR-448 Variety. The results showed significant vegetative growth variations and correlations between pollen viability and fruit setting characters. In addition, it was found a noticeable variation in Pollen viability/fertility, was not proportional to fruit setting percentage. In general Pollen viability was directly linked to fruit set, whereas formation and fruit set were not in the tomato varieties that were investigated. Pollen viability was high, which was accompanied through a reduction in the number of fruit sets, fruit size and pollen viability in the field is highly variable, indicating that differences in microenvironment may have a profound effect on fruit setting and pollen viability.