Abstract

A new technique for estimating pollen viability utilizing Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (Nitro‐BT) is given. Pollen of 16 taxa was studied and scored for stainability. A comparison was made between Nitro‐BT‐stained pollen samples and aniline‐blue‐lactophenol‐stained samples, because the validity of the latter stain has been questioned in recent years. It is demonstrated that Nitro‐BT can discriminate between pollens which have a capacity for oxidative metabolism, representing potential viability, and those which do not. Suggestions for pollen stainability studies are given.