Abstract
Cultivar Macabeo is one of the most planted white grape varieties of northern Spain. A general agreement supports many Vitis vinifera cultivars possibly being self-fertile, although this seems to be a variety-dependent characteristic. No previous information about the mating system of cv. Macabeo was found. This study aimed to analyze its mating system and to compare the in vivo fertilization process with and without artificial cross-pollination. Two treatments were performed: emasculation and cross-pollination. The seed number was counted, and pollen tube growth was observed by microscopy. The results showed that cv. Macabeo is self-fertile and selfing probably occurs before the flower opens. Pollen was found over the stigma of flowers before capfall and ovule fertilization was observed even in emasculated flowers, which suggests that germination and pollen tube growth happened in a very early flower development stage. Cross-pollination increased the presence of the pollen tubes growing inside flowers but was not necessary for fruit set. Ovule fertilization was very fast as 24 h (h) were enough for pollen tubes to reach the end of stylar canals.
Highlights
Grapevine is one of the most important fruit crops with 7.15 million planted hectares and79.1 million tons of world production in 2018 [1]
Macabeo or the time needed for the pollen tube, from pollen germination on the stigma, to enter into the ovule to fertilize the egg cell
[32] the hermaphrodite and female flowers in some cultivated varieties (Macabeo, François Noir, and Malvoisie), Macabeo stigma is a wet type with multicellular uniseriate papillae
Summary
Grapevine is one of the most important fruit crops with 7.15 million planted hectares and79.1 million tons of world production in 2018 [1]. Known as Viura, is one of the most planted white grape varieties of northern Spain with nearly 32,000 ha [2]. It is common in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France [3] where it is called Macabeu. A general agreement supports many V. vinifera cultivars possibly being self-fertile, but it seems a variety-dependent characteristic. Diminished fruit set and fewer seeds per berry appeared in the muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx) with no effective cross-pollination [8]. An increase in fertilization and, in fruit set has been reported when cross-pollination has been applied [9,10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
