Alleviation of deleterious effects of sodium salts on the polien of Datura metel L. by growth retardants

NaCl and Na₂SO₄ inhibited both pollen germination and tube growth. B-9 (1–5 mg l⁻¹) promoted pollen germination and tube growth. Low concentrations of phosphon-D did not produce any significant change in pollen germination. Higher concentration of both growth retardants were inhibitory. B-9 counteracted the inhibitory effects of 8 mM NaCl. On the other hand, phosphon-D mitigated the adverse effects of NaCl on pollen germination and Na₂SO₄ on tube growth.