DETERMINATION OF POLLEN VIABILITY AND GERMINATION RATIOS IN MERSIN ECOLOGY OF SOME EARLY APRICOT

Abstract

Turkey is the leading country in the production of world apricots (Prunus armeniaca). In the country, apricots are usually grown for drying and fresh consumption, and apricots are also used for different purposes. This study was carried out to determine pollen viability and germination status in some foreign apricot varieties grown in Mut district of Mersin province, which has an important place in early ripening apricot production in Turkey. Pollen viability and germination ratios were determined by TTC and 1% agar 10% method in Mogador, Mikado, Pricia, Flopria apricot varieties. In terms of pollen values, the best result in terms of viable pollen is from the Mikado with 77.02% and Mogador varieties with 78.61%, while the Pricia variety with 44.09% in semi-viable pollen provides the most result, while Flopria and Pricia varieties produce the highest values in dead pollen results. In the germination tests, pollen germination rates were medium level in Flopria, Mogador and Mikado varieties the pollen germination rate of the Pricia variety is only 8.96%. The results obtained will be a guide in new orchard establishment and breeding studies.