Influence of diverse pollen source on compatibility reaction and subsequent effect on quality attributes of sweet cherry

Abstract

Sweet cherry is self incompatible due to having a gametophytic self – incompatibility system. S alleles in the style and pollen determine possible crossing relationship and ultimate fruit set. Complete knowledge of the s allele constitution of cultivars is import out for sweet cherry growers and breeders. Natural pollination in cultivar Van resulted in high fruit set as compared to controlled crossing but fruit size recorded high in crossed than natural pollinated. However, cultivar Stella recorded high fruit set in controlled crossing. In Lapinus also, very few crosses set fruits. Furthermore, the fruit set percent are also low and diverse pollen source has no effect on the fruit weight but total soluble solids (T.S.S) was recorded higher in crossed fruits. Similarly, Lambert in controlled pollination resulted in poor fruit set as compared to natural pollination. Guigne Pourpera Precoca exhibited high fruit set with pollen of Lambert and Bing; but other combinations resulted in poor compatibility. Bigarreau Noir Grossa with all the pollen resulted in poor compatibility, whereas fruit set in natural (controlled) pollination recorded high fruit set. Bigarreau Napoleon with Guigne Pourpera Precoca and Lapinus showed good cross compatibility; when used as male with Bigarreau Napoleon, Lapinus exhibited increased fruit weight and T.S.S. as compared to natural pollinated fruits. Key words: Cherry, pollen, compatibility, quality attributes, fruit set.