The Pollen Tube Growth Test

In monitoring possible cytotoxic effects of bioactive chemicals, it is desirable to have easy and sensitive test systems. The in vitro culture of pollen can provide a sensitive indication of toxicity at the cellular level, since germination and growth of pollen tubes are inhibited in the presence of toxic substances. Quantification of pollen tube growth will allow this inhibitory effect to be expressed as a numerical value: ED50 (or IC50), i.e., the concentration of a test compound that reduces pollen tube growth to 50% of control.