Pollinizer Cultivars Research Articles

Prediction of Differences in the Blooming Dates between Japanese Apricot ‘Nanko’ and Pollinizer Cultivars Using Development Rate Models

Prediction of Differences in the Blooming Dates between Japanese Apricot ‘Nanko’ and Pollinizer Cultivars Using Development Rate Models

Selection of pollinator cultivars for pear trees in a subtropical climate

Selection of pollinator cultivars for pear trees in a subtropical climate

Effect of Pollinator, Number of Pollination Times and Organic Fertilizer on Leaf Mineral Content and Yield of Barhi Date Palm

The experiment was conducted in 2022 in one of the date palm orchards of Barhi cultivar cultivated at Dawar palm station, Ministry of Agriculture / Horticultural Department, to study the effects of pollinator cultivar and decomposed organic fertilizer on yield and leaf mineral content of 54 drip-irrigated 7-year-old cultivar dates. A disease- and insect-free palm tree of consistent height and age, Factors of the study included adding two pollinator cultivars, Ghanaami Akhdar (P1) and local cultivar (P2), three times (N1), two (2 days after first pollination) (N2), and three times (3 days after first and 3 days after second) (N3). Decomposed organic fertilizer (sheep manure) was added in three levels (0, 20, and 40 kg.date-1), denoted by M0, M1, and M2. The factorial experiment in an RCBD employed 54 trees since treatments were reproduced three times (one date palm tree per experimental unit). The experimental results revealed that local cultivar pollinator (P2) enhanced fruit dry weight by 77.71% but did not affect leaf nitrogen, phosphor content, or fruit weight. Results revealed that pollination number did not substantially affect leaf nitrogen or phosphor content, but once (N1) showed considerable superiority in fruit dry weight of 78.10 % and fruit weight of 104.14 g. At 40 kg sheep dung, leaf nitrogen and phosphor increased considerably.date-1 (M2) had the maximum leaf nitrogen and phosphor content of 1.548% and 0.380 %, and fruit weight of 107.00 g. M1 had the highest fruit dry weight percentage of 78.95%. Triple interactions between study parameters strongly influenced all attributes.

DETERMINATION OF POLLEN VIABILITY AND POLLEN GERMINATION CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME SHARKA DISEASE RESISTANT APRICOT CULTIVARS

Turkey is leading the apricot production in the world and also has an important genetic diversity. With the advantage of having different ecological conditions, apricots are produced for different purposes (early table, table, jam, dry). Biotic and abiotic stress factors affect the apricot production of important value, causing yield and quality losses. Apricots’ most important problems in breeding are low fruit yield, spring late frosts, and self-incompatibility in some cultivar, diseases and pests. In these factors, Plum Pox Virus (PPV) the agent of the sharka disease is the most important disease in the apricot and stone fruits with the lost odf production and social effects it made. The best solution for this disease is using resistant cultivars in production. At this point, breeding programs especially including the sharka resistant cultivars are important. For breeding programs, determining pollinator cultivars' pollen quality parameters is important. In this study, pollen viability and pollen germination parameters are determined for “Stark Early Orange” (SEO), “Harleyne”, “Harcot” and “Zard” cultivars. These cultivars are resistant to sharka and may be used in breeding studies as pollinators. Pollen viability was determined with 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and pollen germination was determined with agar in the Petri (1% Agarose and 10% sucrose) method. The cultivar with the highest pollen viability rate (57.8%) is SEO. “Harcot” had the least amount of pollen viable with 28.3%. “Harleyne” cultivar had the best germination rate with 69.8%. Harcot had the lowest pollen germination rate (19.8%). According to the results, there were significant differences among cultivars in the pollen viability and germination rates.

The effect of interspecific and intraspecific hybridization on seed germination of Pitaya (Hylocereus spp.)

Objective: In this study, the effect of interspecific and intraspecific hybridization on seed germination of pitaya was investigated. Material and Methods: Self-infertile 'Bloody Mary' (Hylocereus polyrhizus) was used as the maternal parent and 'Cosmic Charlie' (Hylocereus undatus), 'Red Jaina' (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and 'White Jaina' (Hylocereus undatus) were used as pollinators in this study. Flowers were pollinated at three different times (10: 00 pm, 00: 00 am, and 06.00 am). After pollination, seeds from each pollination combination were sown. The germination rate, average germination time, germination energy and germination index of the sown seeds were determined depending on pollination time and pollinator cultivars. Results: The research findings indicated that the germination rate was 100% in all seed sowing combinations, depending on different pollinator cultivars ('Cosmic Charlie' and 'White Jaina' are in different species from the maternal parent) and pollination times. The results revealed that interspecific hybridization did not have a negative effect on seed germination. On the other hand, germination time, germination energy and index differed as per pollinator type and pollination hours. Conclusion: According to the findings, it was concluded that interspecific hybridization in pitaya does not have problem in seed germination and results might offer an infrastructure for future breeding programme in pitaya.

Determination of Self-Compatibility of the 'Arsel' Olive Cultivar Obtained by Hybridization Breeding

This study was aimed to determine the fertilization biology of the 'Arsel' olive cultivar obtained by hybridization breeding. For this reason, treatments of open pollination, cross pollination, and self-pollination were performed for 2 years and self-compatibility and appropriate pollinators of this new cultivar were investigated. Among the varieties included as pollinators (‘Memecik’, ‘Gemlik’, ‘Uslu’, ‘Ayvalık’ and ‘Eğriburun Nizip’), the highest fruit set was achieved with ‘Memecik’ and ‘Gemlik’ varietes in both years (2.64%, 1.37% and 1.75%, 1.39%). For this reason, ‘Memecik’ and ‘Gemlik’ cultivars were the best pollinator for ‘Arsel’ olive was thought. On the other hand, considering the statistical analyzes and productivity index values, ‘Arsel’ variety was found to be self-incompatible. However, the data also indicated that cross pollination was effective in increasing fruit set. Therefore, it is thought that the use of pollinator cultivar in orchard establishment would be beneficial in terms of yield. Pollen viability and germination tests were performed by using 2,3,5 Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride (TTC) and agar in petri (15% sucrose + 1% agar + 100 ppm H3BO3) methods in the study. The highest pollen viability rate was observed in ‘Memecik’ cultivar in 2020 and there isn’t statistical differences between olive cultivars in 2018. The highest pollen germination rate was observed in ‘Arsel’ cultivar in 2018. Accordingly, differences were determined between pollen viability and germination rates of examined olive cultivars in terms of years.

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

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.

Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis unveiled the mechanisms of xenia effect and the role of different pollens on aroma formation in ‘Yali’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd)

• ‘Hongnanguo’ pollinizer has a xenia effect on ‘Yali’ pear fruits aroma quality. • 189 DAMs and 12,032 DEGs were identified. • ‘Hongnanguo’ pollinizer increased the content of ABA, IAA, and ethylene. • Established a possible regulatory network of the mechanism of xenia effect on pear aroma formation. The flavor of ‘Yali’ pear fruits has substantially declined recently as a result of poor pollination tree selection. Xenia effect is a powerful mechanism for regulating aroma production. To study the effect of different pollens on aroma quality and the molecular basis of xenia effect in ‘Yali’ pear fruits, ‘Hongnanguo’ and ‘Xuehuali’ were used as pollinizers, and the hybrid fruits were named YH and YX, respectively. Metabolome, transcriptome, volatile compounds, and hormone were jointly analyzed in YH and YX peels with three ripening stages. After pollinating with ‘Hongnanguo’ pollen, the contents of total aroma, esters and nerolidol, the odor activity value of characteristic volatiles in YH were significantly increased, compared with the aroma character of the pollinizer cultivars, indicating ‘Hongnanguo’ pollinizer has a xenia effect on ‘Yali’ pear fruits aroma quality. Further, the content of ABA, IAA, and ethylene reveal the differences during aroma formation between YH and YX. 189 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and 12,032 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Based on co-expression network analysis, network maps of ‘Yali’ pear aroma-related DEGs were generated. We surmise aroma biosynthesis genes ( ADH, ALDH, NES , and FPS ), ABA, IAA, ethylene signal transduction, and several transcription factors play important roles in the xenia effect.

DETERMINATION OF SELF-(IN) COMPATIBILITY USING MOLECULAR MARKERS OF SOME APRICOT CULTIVARS WHICH CULTIVATED IN TURKEY

In fruit trees, gametophytic self-incompatibility is one of the major problem because of preventing self-fertilization controlled by a single locus with some allelic variants. Among the fruits, apricots also show self-incompatibility especially originated from Middle-Asian and Iranian-Caucasian. In present study, it was determined self-compatible/incompatible of some apricot cultivars which cultivated in Turkey. 17 Turkish and 42 foreign apricot cultivars were used in this study. Analyses were carried out using three primer pairs (SRc-R-SRc-F, EM-PC2consFD / EM-PC3consRD and AprFBC8). A total 5 S-RNase alleles (S2, S3, S6, S9 and S11) were determined in the 11 new Turkish cultivated apricots and a total 8 (S3, S7, S8, S9, S11, S12, S13 and SC) were determined in old Turkish apricot cultivars. A total 11 S-RNase alleles (S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8, S9, S11, S12, S19 and SC) were determined in foreign 42 apricot cultivars. It was determined self (in)compatibility alleles of 11 new Turkish and 38 foreign apricot cultivars first time with this study. These results can be used for plantation new orchards and breeding programs. Also, pollinator cultivars should be considered for plantation new orchards for these self-incompatible cultivars because of some Turkish and foreign apricot are mostly self-incompatible.

Transfer of Self-Fruitfulness to Cultivated Almond from Peach and Wild Almond

The almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] is normally self-sterile, requiring orchard placement of pollinizer cultivars and insect pollinators. Honeybees are the primary insect pollinators utilized, but climate change and the higher frequency of extreme weather events have reduced their availability to levels insufficient to meet the demands of current and anticipated almond acreage. The incorporation of self-fruitfulness may eliminate the need for both pollinizers and pollinators and allow the planting of single cultivar orchards that facilitate orchard management and reduce agrochemical inputs. Self-fruitfulness requires self-compatibility of self-pollen tube growth to fertilization, as well as a high level of consistent self-pollination or autogamy over the range of anticipated bloom environments. The Italian cultivar Tuono has been the sole source of self-compatibility for breeding programs world-wide, leading to high levels of inbreeding in current almond improvement programs. Both self-compatibility and autogamy have been successfully transferred to commercial almonds from cultivated peaches (Prunus persica L.), as well as wild peach and almond species. Self-compatibility was inherited as a novel major gene, but was also influenced by modifiers. Molecular markers developed for one species source often failed to function for other species’ sources. Autogamy was inherited as a quantitative trait. Breeding barriers were more severe in the early stages of trait introgression, but rapidly diminished by the second to third backcross. Increasing kernel size, which was similarly inherited as a quantitative trait, was a major regulator of the introgression rate. Self-fruitfulness, along with good commercial performance of tree and nut traits, was recovered from different species sources, including Prunus mira, Prunus webbii, P. persica, and the P. webbii-derived Italian cultivar Tuono. Differences in expression of self-fruitfulness were observed, particularly during field selection at the early growth stages. Introgression of self-fruitfulness from these diverse sources also enriched overall breeding germplasm, allowing the introduction of useful traits that are not accessible within traditional germplasm.

Pollinator cultivar choice: An assessment of season-long pollinator visitation among coreopsis, aster, and salvia cultivars

Documented pollinator declines have encouraged the installation of pollinator plantings in residential, commercial and agricultural settings. Pollinator visitation among cultivars of coreopsis, salvia and asters was compared on 40 dates in a 2-year study resulting in 6,911 pollinator observations across all plant taxa with bees, butterflies and syrphids well-represented. Diversity of insect visitors was represented differently within the broad plant taxa salvia, coreopsis and asters. The most frequent visitors to coreopsis were the small bees with over 77% of visitors falling into this category. Salvia was most frequently visited by honey bees (36.4%) and carpenter bees (24%), although all the groups were represented. Syrphids were the group most commonly observed on asters (58.5%) with nearly 40% of the visitors being bee species. Nectar analysis was performed on salvia cultivars. However, differential attraction of pollinators to salvia cultivars could not be explained by volume of nectar produced per plant. Results from our cultivar comparisons provide data-based information to assist consumers in plant choice and present opportunities for future plant-specific pollinator census initiatives across a broader geographic range.

Evalu ation of potato hybrids according to tuber flesh darkening and other useful agronomic characters under the conditions of Kirov Province

Background. Resistance of raw and boiled tuber flesh to darkening when potato is processed into potato-based products or consumed directly is an important requirement for new potato cultivars. Identification of hybrids resistant to tuber flesh darkening would contribute immensely to future breeding work.Materials and methods. Parent forms and hybrid progeny of potato were tested for five years (2016–2020) in Kirov Province using the methods and technologies approved for potato breeding process. The progeny of 10 cultivars used as pollinators was analyzed.Results and conclusions. Cultivars with high levels of resistance to the darkening of raw tuber flesh were selected in the collection nursery. A total of 62 accessions (or 24%) out of 256 were identified for the absence of darkening or only small traces thereof (8 points) in raw tubers. Medium and strong darkening of the flesh (4–5 points) was recorded for 45 accessions. Analyzing the progeny of pollinator cultivars showed an increased occurrence of hybrids resistant to tuber flesh darkening in the progeny of cv. ‘Manifest’: 71% of the studied hybrids had non-darkening flesh (9 points). Manifestation of tuber flesh darkening was found to depend on weather conditions during the growing season: the higher was the air temperature, the weaker was the darkening of raw tuber flesh, but when the soil moisture during tuberization was high, tuber flesh became more darkened. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the darkening of boiled tubers and the content of crude protein (r = 0.74) and vitamin C (r = 0.79). Hybrid 179-10 was identified for high productivity (32.5 t/ha) and crude protein content (1.54%), while the highest resistance to the darkening of raw and boiled potato tubers was registered in hybrid 72-13.

A grape breeding programme using different Vitis species

AbstractIntensive breeding programmes have been carried out to obtain high‐quality seedless grape cultivars. Seedless grape cultivars were used as pollinizer parents, but the number of hybrid seeds and the viability of the seed obtained could differ greatly. In this study, carried out over 3 years, the results obtained from crossing with some pollinizer cultivars belonging to different Vitis species were compared. Maternal cultivars that do not need emasculation (male sterile) and emasculated cultivars were also compared. Evaluations were based on the total number of hybrid seeds and the proportion of viable seeds. In addition, the effects of various treatments on the rates of germination of the hybrid seed were compared. Although the female parents (with female flower structure) produced more seed than did hermaphrodite mothers in 2019, different results were obtained in cross‐breeding studies in 2018 and 2020. Cold stratification was very effective in increasing germination by breaking dormancy of the hybrid seed. In addition, after treatment of cold moist storage (cold stratification), keeping the seed in distilled water overnight before planting increased germination. Although large numbers of seeds were produced by the genotype 86/1 and the cultivar ‘Beyaz Çavuş’, both of which do not require emasculation, many of these seeds did not germinate. Crosses with the cultivar ‘Red Globe’ as the maternal parent produced large numbers of viable seeds and high germination rates.

Pollen grain hormones of date palm pollinator cultivars and their relationship with hormones of different stages of ‘Piarom’ date fruit growth

The aim of this study was to investigate the metaxenia effect of pollen grain hormones of date palm pollinators on the hormones of different stages of fruit growth. The relationships between auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin and abscisic acid hormones of ‘Shahani’, ‘Kabkab’, ‘Zahedi’, ‘Beraem’, ‘Faryab’, ‘Sheikhali’, ‘Fard’ and ‘Jarvis’ pollen grains with the amount of the same hormones in different stages of ‘Piarom’ fruit development were studied. The results showed that pollen grains of different date palm pollinators have different amounts of these hormones. Pollen grains of ‘Fard’ and ‘Sheikhali’ cultivars have higher amounts of hormones compared to other cultivars. The amount of these hormones was also very variable at different stages of fruit growth. The highest amount of hormones in different stages of ‘Piarom’ date fruit growth was observed in trees that were pollinated with pollen grains of ‘Fard’ and ‘Sheikhali’ cultivars. Also the amount of these hormones in pollen grains and different stages of fruit growth had a positive linear relationship. The positive correlation between pollen grains hormones and hormones of different stages of fruit growth confirms the metaxenia effect of pollen grains on the characteristics of ‘Piarom’ date fruit. The presence of more hormones in the fruit, which is directly related to the amount of these hormones in pollen grains, improves the quantity and quality of date palm fruits.

Management of Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Using Four Commercial Mating Disruption Systems in California Almonds.

The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), is the most significant pest of California almonds. Direct feeding on the kernel by the larvae causes reductions in salable crop, crop quality, and exportability. Pheromone mating disruption (MD) targeting navel orangeworm is a relatively new technique with the potential to improve management. In 2017, we used replicated ~16-ha plots to compare the efficacy of four commercial MD systems (CheckMate, Cidetrak, Isomate, and Semios) for their relative impacts on the number of navel orangeworm in monitoring traps and crop quality. From 2017 to 2018, we conducted nine direct comparison studies in 16 to 40 ha almond orchards to compare conventional pest management programs to programs incorporating pheromone MD systems. Across all studies, MD reduced male moth captures in pheromone traps by >94%. In the efficacy study, use of mating disruption led to 35% and 53% reductions in kernel damage in Nonpareil and pollinizer cultivars, respectively, and an average increase in crop value of $370 ha-1. In the direct comparison, kernel damage to Nonpareil and pollinizer cultivars was reduced by 65% and 78%, respectively, resulting in an average increase in crop value of $357 ha-1. Economic analyses showed that increases in crop returns exceeded the costs of implementing MD systems with the break-even point ranging from 0.86 to 1.06% of kernel damage. These results suggest that adding MD to an existing navel orangeworm management program is a cost-effective way to reduce damage while promoting sustainable pest management practices.

Effect of pollinator cultivars on nutrient content in some Turkish hazelnut cultivars

The main objective of this study was to assess the pollen effects on macro and micro nutrition elements on hazelnut cultivars (Corylus avellana L.). Tombul, Palaz, Çakıldak, Foşa and Allahverdi were used as main cultivars while Tombul, Palaz, Çakıldak, Foşa, Allahverdi, Sivri, Kalınkara and Yassı Badem were used as pollinator cultivars. In the study, it was investigated that the pollinator cultivars caused changes in some nutrition elements. The effects of the applications on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content were found to be statistically significant. It was determined that the nutrition element with the highest rate in the examined hazelnut cultivars is potassium. It has been observed that the amount of potassium is high in Tombul-pollinator treatments. The potassium content of Foşa and Çakıldak weres found to be higher than other cultivars. In Palaz and Yassı Badem- pollination treatments, it has been observed that the Ca content is generally lower than other treatments. Fe content was found to be significantly higher in Palaz-pollination treatments. The highest Mn and Zn content was obtained from Çakıldak. As a result, it has been revealed that pollinators may have an effect on nutrient content.

Response of fruit set and quality and seed formation to ploidy levels of pollen donor in yellow-fleshed kiwifruits

This study investigated how the ploidy level of the kiwifruit pollinizer cultivars “CK3” (diploid), “T line” (tetraploid), “Pohwa” (hexaploid) and “Chieftain” (hexaploid) affected fruit set, fruit quality, and seed formation in the tetraploid kiwifruit cultivars “Halla Gold” and “Sweet Gold” cultivated in an unheated greenhouse in Jeju, Korea. Pollen tubes growing in the pistil reached and combined with the ovule 3 days after artificial pollination, and their patterns differed depending on the ploidy level of the pollen parent. The number of pollen tubes observed in “Halla Gold” and “Sweet Gold” pistils was significantly lower following pollination by “CK3” than with the other pollen donors. In all pollen treatments, the fruit set rates were > 90%. The fruit weight of both “Halla Gold” and “Sweet Gold” were high following pollination with “Chieftain” and “Pohwa”. The dry matter content, soluble solids, and acidity were not significantly different among all pollination treatments. Fruit firmness was higher following pollination with “Chieftain” and “Powha.” Colorimeter h˚ values for flesh of “Halla Gold” was low following pollination with “CK3,” but there were no differences for “Sweet Gold” among all pollinations. The number of seeds showed a similar trend to fruit weight, but the 100-seed weight was highest with “T line” as the pollinizer. The results indicate that the ploidy level of the pollen donor affects fruit quality more than fruit set. Also, the pollen most suitable for cultivation of “Halla Gold” and “Sweet Gold” is considered to be tetraploid “T line” and hexaploid “Pohwa” and “Chieftain,” which showed favorable effects on the weight and firmness of fruits, and the number and weight of seeds without adversely influencing fruit set and dry matter content.

Establishing Pollination Requirements in Japanese Plum by Phenological Monitoring, Hand Pollinations, Fluorescence Microscopy and Molecular Genotyping.

The Japanese plum cultivars commonly grown are interspecific hybrids derived from crosses between the original Prunus salicina with other Prunus species. Most hybrids exhibit gametophytic self-incompatibility, which is controlled by a single and highly polymorphic S-locus that contains multiple alleles. Most cultivated hybrids are self-incompatible and need pollen from a compatible donor to fertilize their flowers. Establishing pollination requirements in Japanese plum is becoming increasingly important due to the high number of new cultivars with unknown pollination requirements. In this work, a methodology for the determination of pollination requirements in Japanese plum-type hybrids is described. Self-(in)compatibility is determined by hand-pollinations in both the field and in the laboratory, followed by monitoring pollen tube elongation with fluorescence microscopy, and also monitoring fruit maturation in the field. Selection of pollinizer cultivars is assessed by combining the identification of S-genotypes by PCR analysis with the monitoring of flowering time in the field. Knowing the pollination requirements of cultivars facilitates the selection of cultivars for the design of new orchards and allows the early detection of productivity problems related with pollination deficiency in established orchards.

Studies of three apple pollinizer cultivars on m9 clonal rootstock under high-density plantation in cold dry temperate region of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

A field experiment was carried out at the Vegetable Research Station, Kalpa, to study the performance of three pollinizer cultivars grafted on M9 clonal rootstock under high-density plantations in the cold temperate region of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, situated at an altitude of 27,000 meters. The high-density plantation of apples in Kinnaur district is still in the inception stage and it is important to aware the farmers of the area about pollinizer cultivars improve the production of temperate fruits. Sufficient and judicious incorporation of pollinizer cultivars is indeed an important aspect in the enhancement of productivity, keeping in mind that this trial was carried out to benefit the farming community in the coming years. The experiment evaluates three apple cultivars ‘Gale Gala/M9’, ‘Redlum Gala/M9’, and ‘Auvil Early Fuji/M9’, planted in the year 2016 as a feathered plant at a spacing of 2.5X1.0 meters in Randomized Block Design (RBD). Most of the growth and fruiting characteristics were found to be non-significant and significant results were obtained only in the Number of fruits, Fruit Size, Length and fruit weight. However, Maximum, shoot extension growth (13.86 cm), plant height (219.50 cm), Total Number of flowers Number (1211 / tree), Number of fruit set /tree (64.25), Number of fruits/tree (30.17), Yield (3.79 kg/tree) and Productivity (15.14 MT/Ha) were recorded with Redlum Gala on M9, whereas, trunk diameter (30.50 mm), plant spread N-S (120.83 cm), fruit diameter (81.21 mm), percent fruit set (23.06 ) and Fruit Size (Length, 73.77 mm; Breadth 77.68 mm) were observed in Gale Gala on M9. Further, higher Plant Spread E-W (125.00 cm) and fruit weight (218.23 g/fruit) were observed in Auvil Early Fuji. Studies have shown that all three pollinizer cultivars performed similarly with a non-significant difference, yet Redlum Gala/M9 performed better amongst the cultivars studied and it may be recommended to grow under high-density plantations in cold temperate conditions of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh.

STUDIES ON COMPATIBILITY, FRUIT SET AND FRUIT QUALITY BY DIFFERENT POLLINATORS IN ANNA APPLE CULTIVAR

The apple (Malus domestica) is a member of the Rosaceae family. It is older than the rose in cultivation and is often referred to as the prince of the rose family. Pollen grains of Dorsett Golden, E25 and Ein Shemer were used to investigate their compatibility and incompatibility with Anna cultivar under the Egyptian climatic conditions during two successive experimental seasons of 2016 and 2017. The fluorescence microscope was used to determine the degree of pollen tube growth in style tissue after specific pollination treatments. Degree of self and cross compatibility and or incompatibility were determined, initial, and final fruit set percentage were calculated. Pollination treatments revealed that, pollens of the four apple cultivars exhibited high rate of the viability after 24 hr. in T.T.C test. Growth of pollen tube of the tested cultivars exhibited different pattern of compatibility, the pollen tubes of Dorsett Golden and Ein Shemer cultivars showed different levels of cross-compatibility when fertilized in Anna style tissue. The pollen tube of E25 cultivar grew slowly with heavy deposition of calluses along to the tube where its growth stopped in the lower part of Anna style four days after pollination. Therefore, they need pollinizer cultivars as for good fruit set. On the other hand, Anna self-pollination seemed to be self-incompatible and recorded lowest initial of fruit set percentage in the first and second seasons. The combinations of Anna × Dorsett Golden exhibited maximum percentage of initial and final fruit set in the two seasons followed by Ein Shemer pollens in both seasons. Insignificant differences were noted in fruit weight and fruit volume among all crosses. The highest acidity was found in hybrid Anna × Dorsett Golden in except in the first season TSS values of these crosses were not high and ranged between 11.83 % and 12.83 %.