Ji-Hyun Kim, Yu-Jin Kim
Pollen maturity, viability, and pollen tube growth are essential indicators of male fertility in rice (Oryza sativa). This chapter presents standardized protocols to evaluate these traits using a range of staining methods, including iodine-potassium iodide (I2-KI), DAPI, calcofluor white, auramine O, LM19/LM20 antibodies, and FM4-64. Pollen germination is assessed through in vitro assays on sucrose-based germination medium optimized for rice, while in vivo pollen tube growth is visualized with aniline blue staining. Given the rapid and short-lived nature of rice pollen under laboratory conditions, practical tips are included to enhance reproducibility. Together, these methods provide a reliable toolkit for the functional analysis of rice pollen in developmental, genetic, and breeding research.