Methods for Assessing Pollen Viability in Eggplant under High Temperatures

In Northeastern Brazil, eggplant production is drastically reduced, especially when the high
temperatures during flowering and fruiting of the eggplant for a prolonged period, makes pollen grains
unfeasible, prevents full fertilization, results in defective fruits, reduces the fruit fixation rate, number of
fruits and yield per plant. In this regard, the assessment of pollen viability under such conditions
becomes of fundamental importance and can be used as an auxiliary trait in the selection processes
of tolerant genotypes. This book chapter addresses the aspects to be considered when choosing and
implementing the pollen viability assessment methodologies currently described for use on eggplants
grown under high temperatures and their associations with the traits known to influence: fruit fixation
rate, number of fruits and production per plant. There is no universal methodology for use in eggplant;
but, under high temperatures the use of Carmine Acetic, Alexander stain and the germination of
pollen grains in vitro proved to be efficient and with a high and positive genetic correlation with the
traits associated with tolerance; they are easy to perform and inexpensive for pollens extracted from
flowers in the field or greenhouse.