Pollen Tube Growth:

An Experiment With pH
Charles, Hannah, Rose,
and Kathleen

Introduction
Our experiment focused on the pH of
the solution in which the pollen was
left in to grow the pollen tubes. In the
experiment we used three different
solutions. We used a control (a 10%
sucrose solution), a basic solution (5:1
ratio of H20 and sodium hydroxide,
respectively), and an acidic solution
(5:1 ratio of H20 and lemon juice,
respectively).

Introduction (Cont.)
This experiment was developed to
test the effect of pH on the growth of
pollen tubes. As a scale to determine
the success of each solution, we used
a micrometer, and a piece of string to
guesstimate the lengths of the longest
pollen tubes.

Method and Materials

Materials:
Three well plates
Three types of pollen
Red bud
Blackberry
False Garlic

Three solutions
10% sucrose solution, 5 pH
5ml H2O: 1ml lemon juice, 2-3 pH
5ml H2O: 1ml 0.1M sodium hydroxide

Three coffee filters

Three bendable straws
Three petri dishes

Method and Materials

(Cont.)
Methods:
We began by getting three well plates, cleaning them,
and then we put one type of pollen on each of the well
plates. We put pollen on two adjacent wells on each row.
After this, we put one solution in each pollen-containing
well on each row. After this, we cut the bottom out of a
coffee filter and put it in the bottom of a petri dish and
wet it. We cut the straw and arranged the pieces in an
arrow shape. We placed the well plates in the petri
dishes, and then we put them aside for 24 hours. The
next day we viewed them under the microscope and
used a micrometer and string to measure the lengths of
the pollen tubes.

Diagram of Solution Distribution in

Well Plates

Control (10% sucrose

mixture)
Basic solution (5mL
H20: 1mL sodium
hydroxide)
Acidic solution (5mL H20:
1mL lemon juice)

Data
Data was taken in the form of pictures
and then received by measuring the
pollen tubes with a micrometer.
Three photos were taken of each plant
type (of which grew) as to ensure
variety in the results.
Measurements from each photo were
then taken to ensure an even more
precise average of pollen tube length.

Images of
blackberry
pollen tubes in
sucrose
solution from
wells in the well
plates.

Images of false
garlic pollen tubes
grown in sucrose
solution taken
from wells in well
plates.

Images of red bud pollen tubes grown in

sucrose solution taken from wells in well plates.

Results*
Pollen
Type

Measure 1

Measure 2

Measure 3

Average

Blackberry

4.3

5.4

8.1

5.9

False Garlic

8.1

7.1

7.2

7.5

Red Bud

6.0

2.4

5.2

4.5

*All measurements were taken in micrometers

(m)

Conclusion
Various pollen grains in the surrounding
areas have been determined to not
germinate high or low pH conditions.
There were no pollen grains that
germinated from any of the pollen species
that had a separate pH from the control
sucrose solution. For the acidic solution
there is the possibility that since lemon
juice was used rather than a pure acid that
another factor other that pH could have
affected pollen tube formation.

Conclusion (Cont.)
This information could be important
for control of reproduction in invasive
flowering species. Lightly acidic or
basic compounds (such as diluted citric
acid or sodium bicarbonate) can be
sprayed to coat stigmas of flowers to
prevent pollen tube formation and
reproduction. This can prevent
invasive species from spreading
without directly harming existing plant

Thanks for your attention!!!