First Time Mediate by SEM for Tunisian Pollen Palm and Study of Germinative Power of Thirteen Male Cultivars

Due to its economic importance in Tunisia, this survey focuses on the study of Phoenix dactylifera males on the microscopic scale for better characterization of cultivars. This work will help to more understand the local diversity and distribution within male cultivars in prospected oases. Thirteen males were presented, tested for In Vitro germination and examined by SEM for whole grains and Exine pattern. Pollen SEM analysis revealed specific morphological differences. All grains were fusiform with an elliptical aspect and one deep germinal furrow between the poles. Exine pattern of pollen grains was reticulate and irregular. An analysis of germinative power has proved substantial differences within studied males. Furthermore, results show a significant positive correlation between the pollen viability and number of pores. To conclude a comparison between the factors would help for the identification of date palm males not yet characterized in Tunisia.