POLLEN TUBE GROWTH AND FRUIT SET OF SOME ALMOND GENOTYPES OBTAINED FROM A BREEDING PROGRAM FOR SELECTING SUITABLE POLLINIZER

Iranian almond cultivars and genotypes are self-incompatible; therefore, the selection of suitable and compatible pollinizers for new cultivars from breeding programs is necessary.
In this study, pollen tube growth and fruit set of four late-bloom almond genotypes (E, F, O and P) were studied under field and lab controlled pollination conditions.
In order to select suitable pollinizer for each of the genotypes, they were pollinated by synchronized blooming genotypes (D, Q, G, K, I and L) in both conditions.
Initial and final fruit set as well as fruit drop were measured under field condition.
The measurements of pollen tubes at the end of style and in the ovary were scored using florescence microscopy in the lab.
Significant differences were observed in all of the characters studied among crosses.
Highest final fruit set and pollen tube number in the ovary were observed in cross E x G, F x D, O x L and P x K, respectively.
According to the fruit set percentage and pollen tube number in the ovary, suitable pollinizers for genotypes E, F, O and P were G, D, L and K, respectively.

V International Symposium on Pistachios and Almonds

Y. Sharafi, J. Hajilou, M.R. Dadpour, S.A. Mohammadi, S. Skandari

almond, pollen tube growth, pollination and florescence microscopy

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.912.6