Impact of Varying Storage Temperatures on Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) Pollen Quality

This study investigated the effect of pollen storage on viability and germination in ‘Foşa’, ‘Kara’, ‘Kalınkara’, ‘Mincane’ and ‘Palaz’ hazelnut cultivars (Corylus avellana L.). Pollen was kept at room temperature (22 °C), +4 °C and −18 °C, and on the 7th, 14th, 21st, 30th, 45th, 60th, 75th, 90th, 105th and 120th day, pollen viability was determined according to triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and acetocarmine tests. Pollen germination was assessed at 15 and 20% sucrose according to the agar method. The highest viability at +4 °C was determined in ‘Mincane’ (64.67%) on the 7th day of storage, and the lowest was determined in ‘Palaz’ (11.50%) on the 120th day of storage in the TTC test. The highest pollen viability at −18 °C was determined on the 7th day in ‘Foşa’ (71%), and the lowest was determined on the 120th day in ‘Palaz’ (19%). Cultivar × temperature, cultivar × time and temperature × time interactions were found to be significant in the acetocarmine test. The highest germination was detected in ‘Kara’ (55.23%) with 15% sucrose and in ‘Mincane’ (73.8%) with 20% sucrose in pollen stored at −18 °C. Based on the analysis of pollen viability and germination during storage, it was determined that the ‘Foşa’ and ‘Mincane’ were among the most suitable cultivars. As the storage period rose, there were reductions in viability. However, it was found that pollen held at −18 °C had a longer viability compared to pollen stored at +4 °C. Pollen germination was found to be greater when exposed to 20% sucrose compared to 15% sucrose.