Pollination and fruit set in durian ‘Monthong’ at various times and with various methods of pollination

Durian flowers are pendulously branched inflorescences with nocturnal blooming.
Furthermore, the stigma is receptive before anther dehiscence.
These problems cause failure of natural pollination.
The objective of this study was to observe suitable times and methods of pollination in the durian ‘Monthong’ by self-pollination in the same tree at 18:00 (ST1800), self-pollination from another tree at 18:00 (OT1800), self-pollination from another tree at 14:00 (OT1400) and open pollination.
The results showed that the lowest numbers of germinated pollen grains and pollen tubes were observed with open pollination.
Pollen tubes from the ST1800 and OT1800 methods reached the base of the styles within 12 h after pollination, whereas the pollen tubes of open pollination and OT1400 reached the base of the styles within 24 h.
The pollen tubes reached the micropyle within 72 h after pollination for all treatments.
Fruit set from ST1800, OT1800 and open pollination was observed until harvest at 120 days, whereas fruit set in OT1400 was seen only within 42 days.
Most deformed fruits were also observed with open pollination.
These results indicate that self-pollination in the afternoon was unsuccessful. ‘Monthong’ durian needed pollination with the stamen from the same or other trees in the evening for better pollen tube penetration, higher fruit set and fewer deformed fruits.

International Symposium on Durian and Other Humid Tropical Fruits

K. Jutamanee, N. Sirisuntornlak

Durio zibethinus, fruit set, fruit drop, pollination

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2017.1186.18