Pollen viability of three restorer lines of sunflower in different planting seasons

Restorer lines of three hybrids of sunflower were evaluated for pollen viability in autumn and spring planting season at C.C.S. Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The diurnal viability of pollen was maximum (96%) at 0900 hours in all the three restorers during spring and declined to 80% at 1500 hours due to low temperature. The viability in terms of seed set following pollination by stored pollen storage periods. The viability of stored pollen was more in autumn as compared to spring as shown by different seed set % in these plantings. Duration of viable pollen production/availability also differed in both the seasons and in different restorer lines. R-lin 6 D-1 produced more viable pollen in both the seasons for longer period (15.66 days in spring and 24.16 days in autumn)