Ten fluorochromes and seven stains were evaluated as indicators of viability of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) pollen. The reactions of these materials were com­ pared with in vitro germination of pollen in a liquid medium. Among these 17 materials, fluorescein diacetate (FDA), 3-(4,S-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,S­ diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and isatin exhibited viability reactions that were positively re­ lated to in vitro pollen germination. However, only the FDA fluorescence reaction was related consis­ tently to germination in all pollen sources. The linear regression model of germination (Y) and FDA reac­ tion (X) was Y = O.6X 12. The fluorochromes 4',6­ diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), ethidium bro­ mide, and aniline blue each exhibited some potential to detect and display the presence of DNA, sperm cells, and in vivo pollen tubes, respectively. Additional