Fresh pollen was collected from bagged male flowers of either diploid Actinidia chinensis clone #54.19 or Actinidia deliciosa 'Matua' in spring 1995. Pollen soon after collection, was aliquoted into vials. Vials were split into three different sets and stored at 4 degrees C, -18 degrees C and -80 degrees C, respectively. Pollen germination was tested every two months during the first year and every four months the following years, using solid agar medium (sucrose 100 g l(-1), boric acid 0.025 g l(-1), agar 6 g l(-1)) and a temperature of 27 degrees C. For each test date and species, the percentage germination was analysed in 16 replicates (4 plates, each one split into 4 sectors). Pollen of A. chinensis stored at 4 degrees C showed a rapid and linear decrease in germination showing no signs of germination after 24 weeks; whereas pollen of A. deliciosa retained a high germination rate until the 24(th) week and totally lacked any germination 32 weeks after storage. Pollen stored at -18 degrees C retained an appreciable germination (40-60 %) for about 96 and 80 weeks in A. chinensis and A. deliciosa respectively, and lost completely any viability 16 weeks later. Pollen of both A. chinensis and A. deliciosa stored in a deep freeze at -80 degrees C was still viable (ca. 60% germination) after 160 weeks (more than 3 years).
