We characterized the pollen germination and longevity in durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) under in vitro conditions
and observed the morphological changes during anther dehiscence. Approximately 10 anthers aggregate on a
filament; these merge with others at the base to form five phalanges in the flower. Anther dehiscence occurred
at 19:00, at the same time as floral anthesis. Observation with a low-vacuum scanning electron microscope revealed
pollen grains clinging to the anther even after the anther had dehisced. In vitro pollen germination was highest
at a sucrose concentration of 10%. In the test of pollen germination on Brewbaker and Kwack (BK) medium, the
germination rate was highest (59.1%). The germination rate was decreased (5.0% to 46.0%) when any of the
minerals of B, Ca, Mg, and K was removed. The pollen germination rate at anthesis was 40.4 to 50.6% in four
cultivars (‘Mon Thong’, ‘Chanee’, ‘Kradum Thong’, and ‘Phaung Manee’), and the rate was maintained at more
than 40% until 24 h after anthesis and then decreased gradually. When pollen was stored under desiccating
conditions with silica gel, pollen following 120-h storage could germinate after rehydration. Rehydration for 12 h
achieved the best results, with 47.0% germination occurring after this rehydration period.