Open Access

ARTICLE

Optimization of Culture Medium and Conditions for In Vitro Pollen Germination in Hibiscus mutabilis Linn.

Siyi Fang¹, Bin Zheng¹, Jiao Ma², Shengwen Tang², Lanying Chen^3,4,#,*, Qiumei Quan^1,#,*

1 College of Environment Science and Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China
2 Chengdu Botanical Garden (Chengdu Institute of Park City Plant Research), Chengdu, China
3 School of Ecology and Environment, Xizang University, Lasha, China
4 College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China

* Corresponding Authors: Lanying Chen. Email: ; Qiumei Quan. Email:
# These authors made same contribution to the paper and considered to the co-corresponding authors

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Flowering Plants: Their History, Cultivation Methods, Biology, and Impact on Well-being)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2026, 95(7), 7 https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2026.083644

Received 07 April 2026; Accepted 01 June 2026; Issue published 30 July 2026

Abstract

Pollen viability plays a pivotal role in determining fertilization success, directly influencing fruit and seed production, as well as the genetic improvement and conservation of flowering plants. This study sought to establish the optimal culture medium and environmental conditions for in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth in Hibiscus mutabilis Linn., a species of notable ornamental and ecological significance. We employed Brewbaker and Kwack medium(BK) supplemented with varying concentrations of sucrose, H₃BO₃, CaCl₂, MgSO₄·7H₂O, and KNO₂ to systematically evaluate the effects of these components on pollen viability. Additionally, we investigated the impact of environmental factors including temperature, light intensity, humidity, and pH. The optimal culture medium consisted of 300 g/L sucrose, 50 mg/L H₃BO₃, and 150 mg/L CaCl₂, yielding maximum germination rates (69.3% for red pollen, 65.7% for white pollen) and tube lengths (467.5 μm and 428.6 μm, respectively). Temperature was identified as a crucial factor, with 20°C being optimal. High humidity (100%) and slightly acidic pH (6.1) further enhanced pollen viability. Pollen germination was most successful under dark conditions, while moderate light intensity (6000–12,000 lux) facilitated optimal pollen tube elongation. This study provides a systematic investigation of pollen germination in H. mutabilis, offering critical insights for hybrid breeding programs and conservation efforts.

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Keywords

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