STIGMATIC RECEPTIVITY AND POLLEN TUBE GROWTH IN RABBITEYE BLUEBERRY

Abstract

Effective pollination period (EPP) is the number of days during which pollination is effective to produce a fruit. The EPP is determined by ovule longevity, pollen tube growth rate and length of stigmatic receptivity. The objectives of this research were to establish the EPP of rabbiteye blueberry and to further the understanding of its limiting parameters. The experiments were conducted in growth chambers using blueberry plants of the cultivars Brightwell and Tifblue. Emasculated flowers were hand-pollinated at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after anthesis (DAA). Ripe fruit were harvested to record percentage fruit set. Stigmatic receptivity was evaluated as the number of germinated tetrads on the stigma 24 hours after pollination. Under day/night temperatures of 23/10 °C, the EPP was 7 days. Stigmatic receptivity was lowest on the day of anthesis and increased as flowers aged. Stigmatic receptivity was not positively correlated to fruit set, therefore, this parameter was not the most limiting factor of the EPP. Observations of pistils pollinated 3 DAA indicated that the fastest growing pollen tubes reached the bottom of the style 2 to 3 days after pollination. Self-pollination resulted in normal pollen tube growth in the style and inside the ovary. Self-pollen tubes were seen penetrating the micropile.