The influence of previous self-pollination on later cross-pollination in self-incompatible almond cultivars

Abstract

SummaryThe effect of previous self-pollination in self-incompatible almond cultivars on later pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and fruit set when pollen of a cross-compatible cultivar reached the stigma, was studied. Two self-incompatible almond cultivars, Garrigues and Ramillete, were self-pollinated and later pollinated with pollen from the cross-compatible cultivar Desmayo Largueta. Pistils were collected up 72 h after pollination in the laboratory and 120 h after field pollination. The pistils were observed later by fluorescence microscopy. Ten weeks later, fruit set was determined in field. No important effect of previous self-pollination on the number of pollen grains germinated on the stigma, the number of pollen tubes in the ovary or fruit set was observed. So, the previous self-pollination of self-incompatible almond cultivars does not affect the fruition process in almond.