In a large number of crop species, the relative amount of pollen fertility is strongly related to the sporophytic chromosomal type. Male transmission of cytogenic abnormalities in cotton (Gossypium spp.) generally does no occur due to a reduction in the viability of these gametes. However, a quick and reliable technique to evaluate cotton pollen viability/fertility does exist.

The fluorochrome fluorescein diacetate was tested for use as a pollen viability/fertility indicator by scoring fluorenscence of pollen grains from normal, translocations homozygous, and translocation heterozygous plants, grown in both field and greenhouse environments. Translocation heterozygous plants consistent with cytogenetic expectations, these results indicate that these and perhaps other cytogenetically aberrant types of cotton can be discerned on the basis of percent pollen stainability i.e., fertility.