Abstract: The invention provides novel solutions and methods for storage and delivery of pollen to a female reproductive part of a recipient plant. The pollen storage solution provided includes a solute that maintains the tonicity of the pollen storage solution at a concentration between about 0.5 M and about 3.0 M and a cryoprotectant. The methods provided include storing the pollen storage solution and applying pollen stored in the storage pollen solution to at least a first female reproductive part of a recipient plant, thereby pollinating the female reproductive part with the stored pollen from the donor plant.

Abstract: The invention provides novel systems and methods for drying and storing pollen. The invention further provides novel methods for delivering pollen to a recipient plant. The systems provided herein include a chamber configured to permit a drying gas to contact pollen, a source for the drying gas, and an instrument configured to measure the humidity of the drying gas or a sensor configured to measure the moisture content of the pollen. The methods provided herein include methods of drying pollen to a desired moisture content, methods of storing dried pollen, and methods of applying the dried or stored pollen to at least a recipient plant, thereby pollinating the recipient plant with the dried or stored pollen from the donor plant.

Abstract: The invention provides novel solutions and methods for storage and delivery of pollen to a female reproductive part of a recipient plant. The pollen storage solution provided includes a solute that maintains the tonicity of the pollen storage solution at a concentration between about 0.5 M and about 3.0 M and a cryoprotectant. The methods provided include storing the pollen storage solution and applying pollen stored in the storage pollen solution to at least a first female reproductive part of a recipient plant, thereby pollinating the female reproductive part with the stored pollen from the donor plant.