Hazel (Corylus L.) and hazelnut (Corylus domestica Kos. Et Opal.) pollen

Abstract

Aim. Wild hazel species (Corylus L.), and hazelnut (Corylus domestica Kos. et Opal.) cultivars are the monoecious anemophilous plants of the birch family (Betulaceae Gray). Due to the early spring catkins bloom of most Corylus, which occurs in March–April in Ukraine, their flowers may be damaged by late spring frosts, causing a decrease in the yield of nuts. That's why the study of the characteristics of the male gametophyte is of general scientific and applied importance for breeding and fruit growing. Methods. Study of pollen of hazelnut cultivars, representatives of C. avellana L., and C. chinensis Franch. from the collection of NDP "Sofiyivka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was done using standard methods. Results. It turned out that the pollen of the ‘Sofiyivsky 15’ (cultivar selected from the hybrid population of ‘Garibaldi’×C. chinensis seedlings) had a greater likeness to paternal parent pollen than maternal parent pollen. According to the fertility, size, and shape of pollen grains, the pollen studied by Corylus spp. is characterized by a slight cultivar-form-species polymorphism. Conclusions. The studied species and forms of Corylus L., and Corylus domestica Kos. et Opal. cultivars were characterized by sufficient levels of pollen fertility for their cultivation in hazelnut orchards of all agro-climatic zones of Ukraine.