New type of damage to Quercus ilex: pollen germination and hydration ability

Pollen grains collected from trees of Quercus ilex L. belonging to different classes of new type damage were analyzed. Five parameters were taken into account: viability, germinability, tube lengthening, grain volume of the dehydrated state and after rehydration. Damage to mother plants clearly influences the above mentioned parameters, causing a reduction in pollen grain viability, germinability, and in the ability of the grains to rehydrate.