Steroid Hormones Stimulate Germination and Tube Growth of in Vitro Matured Tobacco Pollen

Abstract

A study of the effects of different steroids on germination and tube growth of tobacco pollen (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Petit Havana SR1) matured in vitro is presented. Application of the mammalian steroid sex hormones (testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol) resulted in a stimulation of pollen germination and tube elongation. The presence of both steroids and flavonols in the germination medium strongly enhanced the growth of tobacco male gametophytes.