The genus Abelia contains ≈30 species, but A. × grandiflora, its cultivars, and A. `Edward Goucher' are the primary taxa grown. The nursery industry has stated that Abelia R. Br. taxa are important economically, and new selections or cultivars with increased cold hardiness, richer pink-rose flower colors, unique foliage colors, and compact habits are desired. Breeding and selection work in the genus is very limited due in part to limited access to germplasm. Pollen storage enables breeders to cross taxa with incongruent flowering cycles, save time and resources by eliminating the need to grow vast amounts of plant material, and incorporate otherwise unavailable germplasm into a breeding program. An experiment was conducted to determine the optimum levels of temperature and humidity for the long-term storage of A. chinensis and A. × grandiflora `Golden Glow' pollen. Temperature and humidity levels were analyzed by incubating undesiccated pollen of a given taxon at four humidity levels (0%, 50%, 80%, and 100%) for 72 h at 5 °C. Following incubation, the pollen was stored in glass vials at each of the following temperatures: 5, -20, and -70 °C. All combinations of temperature and humidity were tested. Pollen viability was assessed after 60 days by in vivo germination tests on styles. Abelia chinensis pollen germinated following storage at all temperature and humidity levels. Pollen of A. × grandiflora `Golden Glow' pollen germinated following all treatments except storage at -20 °C.
Does long-term storage of clay samples influence their mechanical characteristics?