Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate variability in reproductive biology traits and the correlation between them in genotypes of 'Oblačinska' sour cherry (Prunus cerasus). High genetic diversity was found in the 41 evaluated genotypes, and significant differences were observed among them for all studied traits: flowering time, pollen germination, number of fruiting branches, production of flower and fruit, number of flowers per bud, fruit set, and limb yield efficiency. The number of fruiting branches significantly influenced the number of flower and fruit, fruit set, and yield efficiency. In addition to number of fruiting branches, yield efficiency was positively correlated with fruit set and production of flower and fruit. Results from principal component analysis suggested a reduction of the reproductive biology factors affecting yield to four main characters: number and structure of fruiting branches, flowering time, and pollen germination. Knowledge of the reproductive biology of the 'Oblačinska' genotypes can be used to select the appropriate ones to be grown or used as parents in breeding programs. In this sense, genotypes II/2, III/9, III/13, and III/14 have very good flower production and satisfactory pollen germination.
Highlights
Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is one of the most commercially important fruit species worldwide, and Serbia is among the top five producing countries (Pérez‐Sánchez et al, 2008)
High genetic diversity was found in the 41 evaluated genotypes, and significant differences were observed among them for all studied traits: flowering time, pollen germination, number of fruiting branches, production of flower and fruit, number of flowers per bud, fruit set, and limb yield efficiency
Results from principal component analysis suggested a reduction of the reproductive biology factors affecting yield to four main characters: number and structure of fruiting branches, flowering time, and pollen germination
Summary
Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is one of the most commercially important fruit species worldwide, and Serbia is among the top five producing countries (Pérez‐Sánchez et al, 2008). In Serbian orchards, the 'Oblačinska' sour cherry is the most planted, because of its positive characteristics, such as high fruit quality, small size, self‐fertility, and high demand in domestic and foreign fruit markets. Oblačinska sour cherry is an autochthonous cultivar and represents a heterogeneous population, which is a mixture of numerous genotypes. According to several authors, who studied 'Oblačinska' populations, the highest variability among genotypes was mainly found in pomological and technological traits, including maturing time, yield, size, and fruit quality (Milutinović et al, 1980; Nikolić et al, 2005; Rade et al, 2008; Rakonjac et al, 2010). Genotype selection is recommended in order to allocate suitable genotypes for commercial production or breeding
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