POLLEN QUALITY AND SELECTION OF POLLINATORS OF CULTIVARS OF COLUMNAR TYPE APPLE

Abstract

The apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a flowering tree whose productivity depends on successful cross-pollination. The efficiency of the pollination process significantly affects the quantity and quality of apple fruits. In addition to the basic requirements for fruit set and tree productivity, the presence of different pollen sources (different cultivars of the orchard) has a positive effect on fruit quality parameters. It is possible to make a profit from an apple orchard several years after planting, so the choice of cultivar is very important, because the economic feasibility of growing plants depends on it. The purpose of this study was to determine the viability of pollen of columnar apple cultivars and the selection of pollinator cultivar. The research was carried out during 2019–2022 at the V. L. Symyrenko Department of Horticulture of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. According to the results of the research, it was established that in the conditions of the Western Forest Steppe of Ukraine, the investigated columnar varieties form pollen of medium viability, pollen tubes reach a medium length, insufficient cross-fertility is observed, and the best pollinators for them are universal pollinators, Golden Gem’ and Professor Springer’ cultivars. In general, columnar fruit set is good from free pollination. Several conditions are necessary for satisfactory cross-pollination, namely: flowering of the pollinator cultivar must be simultaneous with the main cultivar; the pollinator cultivar must have pollen of high viability; the location of the pollinator cultivar should be near the fruit-bearing tree; the garden requires the presence of bees and other insects during flowering.