Although some heavy metals are essential trace elements, most of them can be toxic to all forms of life at high concentrations due to formation of complex compounds within the cell. The present study deals with the effect of heavy metals like Cadmium, Cobalt and Lead on in vitro pollen germination and tube growth of Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir., a medicinally important plant belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. The study reveals that, heavy metals led to a significant decrease in pollen germination as well as tube growth. Maximum 98% pollen germination along with 884µm pollen tube development was observed in 10% sucrose solution supplemented with 50 ppm boric acid. Reduction in pollen germination and tube elongation was noticed as metal concentrations increased. In 150 µM CoCl2 and Pb(NO3)2 solution 20% and 7% germination were observed along with 104 µm and 91µm pollen tube respectively. The highest toxicity was found in CdCl2 solution where only 3 % pollen grains along with only bulging out of pollen tubes were found in 150 µM solution. Pollen germination and tube growth were adversely affected by Co2+, Pb2+ and Cd2+ , thus heavy metals inhibit in vitro pollen germination and tube growth which ultimately affect the pollen viability as well as plant sexual reproduction.
