Fruit set evaluation for self-compatibility selection in almond

Self-compatibility was assessed in 19 almond selections by genetic and physiological means, such as PCR with specific primers for the S_f allele, pollen tube growth, and fruit set after self-pollination and in bagged branches. Although all genotypes possessed the S_f allele and showed a similar pollen tube growth after self-pollination than after cross-pollination with cross-compatible pollen, fruit sets showed a different behaviour between years, ranging from 16.2 to 24.7%, as well as between treatments, with the highest after self-pollination. The differences between genotypes could be due to the genetic constitution of each genotype, where inbreeding may reduce set by the accumulation of deleterious genes in different members of a progeny. Flower morphology may also affect sets in bagged branches. Thus, in addition to bud density, flower sterility, pollination success and environmental conditions, other traits must be taken into account when evaluating yield in self-compatible almond cultivars, such as the inbreeding effect and the effective autonomous self-pollination.     

Study on Fruitset and Pollen-Compatibility Status in Sweet Cherry (Prunus avuim L.) Cultivars

Prunus avium L. is one of the most important temperate zone fruits in the world. Most of the cherry cultivars always have difficulties of fertilization and fruit set due to self-incompatibility, so they need suitable and compatible pollinizers for commercial fruit production. In this experiment, pollination compatibility of cherry cultivars of ‘Napoleon’, ‘Burlat’, ‘Zhan’, and ‘Lambert’ was studied as both pollen recipients and donors. To determine the compatibility or incompatibility of pollinizers, percent of fruit set was calculated. This research was carried out as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design. The final average fruit set in studied cultivars was different under self or cross-pollination. The results showed that ‘Napoleon’, ‘Zhan’ and ‘Lambert’ cultivars are the suitable pollinizers for ‘Burlat’. Also, ‘Burlat’ is a cultivar which produced many fruits under self-pollination. Therefore, ‘Burlat’ can be used as monoculture for orchard establishment. Results showed that cultivar ‘Napoleon’ was cross-incompatible with ‘Lambert’. ‘Zhan’, ‘Napoleon’ and ‘Lambert’ cultivars are founded self-incompatible and require cross-pollinations to obtain fruits.

     

Observations on the Effect of Potash Supply on the Tension of the Tracheal Contents in Fruit Trees and Bushes

Summary

The effects of pollen source on fruit set and fruit quality characteristics (xenia effects) were examined in three commercial cultivars of mandarin, Imperial, Ellenor, and Murcott. Six trees of each cultivar received six pollination treatments: three cross-pollen sources, self-pollination, bagging and bagging with emasculation. Pollen tube growth, percentage fruit set, fruit weight, seediness, sugar and acid content were assessed in all treatments. Significant xenia effects, including effects on sugar content, were found in all cultivars. `Imperial' was found to be self-incompatible as self-pollen tubes were inhibited in the upper style. This resulted in a lower fruit set in self-pollinated fruits (P<0.01), a very low fruit weight (33–55 g, compared with 92–103 g, P<0.01), and fruits containing few or no seeds. In addition, `Ellenor' and `Murcott' pollen significantly increased sugar content of fruit by between 0.9–1.6% compared with self-pollinated and unpollinated treatments (P<0.05). Widespread problems of variable production and poor fruit quality in `Imperial' may be alleviated by interplanting with appropriate pollen sources such as `Ellenor' and `Murcott'. Pollen source significantly affected fruit set, seed number and sugar content but not fruit weight of cv. Ellenor. In particular, `Murcott' pollen produced a significantly higher fruit set, relatively low seed number, and the highest mean sugar content (13.2%), significantly higher than `Imperial' pollen, bagged, and unpollinated treatments (>12.5%, P<0.01). Fruit production, seediness and sugar content of `Ellenor' mandarin may be improved by interplanting with `Murcott'. Cross-pollination significantly increased seed number of `Murcott' (15–21 seeds per fruit, compared with 13–17 seeds per fruit, P<0.01). `Murcott' could be planted in pure blocks since self-pollinated `Murcott' fruit had slightly fewer seeds than crosses, without any significant loss of size or quality. These results demonstrate the need for careful consideration of interplanting of cultivars and management of pollinators such as the honeybee, Apis mellifera L. to maximize fruit production and quality in mandarins.     

Comparison of different classical and molecular methods to identify superior self-compatible almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.) genotypes and evaluation of their traits

Almond [Prunus amygdalus Batsch syn. Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb] trees are either self- or cross-incompatible, which results in lower fruit set and yields. Flower bagging, fluorescence microscopy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to discriminate between self-compatible genotypes obtained from crosses of the self-incompatible female parents (‘121’ and ‘4’) with the self-compatible male parent (‘Tuono’). This study was performed on 80 almond genotypes. The results of this study showed that, in the first cross (‘121’ × ‘Tuono’), genotypes 5, 11, 13, 14, 17, 20, 27, 29, 31, 35, and 38 were identified as being self-compatible and, in the second cross (‘4’ × ‘Tuono’), genotypes 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 15, 21, 23, 25, 32, 37, 38, and 40 were found to be self-compatible. There were some promising genotypes based on self-compatibility and nut and kernel characteristics; for example, genotype 40 had the highest mean fruit and kernel weights at 2.9 and 1.3 g, respectively. PCR can be used to identify self-compatible genotypes at the juvenile stage. Flower bagging under favourable climatic conditions not only discriminated between self-compatible almond genotypes, but can also be used to measure fruit set percentages. Flower bagging and fluorescence microscopy can be used to determine the level of self-incompatibility. Fluorescence microscopy identified self-incompatible genotypes, even under unfavourable conditions. In general, a combination of all three methods is recommended to increase the accuracy of detecting self-compatible genotypes of almond.     

秋子梨野生种和部分栽培品种交配亲和性研究

以秋子梨(Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim.)为试材,进行了花粉育性和交配亲和性研究。结果表明,参试的32份资源中有53%为雄性不育类型,可育品种间的花粉生活力存在明显差异,人工催花的花粉生活力低于自然开花,但对授粉结实无显著影响。南果梨、苹香梨、寒香梨等大部分栽培品种及山梨5个株系(野生秋子梨)都表现为自交不亲和。红花盖梨花期自交能够结实,但所结果实的种子不正常,为假亲和。龙香梨有一定自交结实力,花期人工自交花序坐果率达23.3%。部分具有自交不亲和性的梨品种蕾期自交授粉可提高结实率,但盛花后期授粉无显著影响。梨子代品种与亲代间互交,大部分组合表现亲和。南果梨×寒红梨组合交配亲和,但反交不亲和。梨同一类型不同品种间杂交结实正常,但亲本与其芽变品种间交配不亲和。     

Gametophytic self-incompatibility causes seedlessness in ‘Kagzi Kalan’ lemon (Citrus limon)

The present study aimed to study the flower and pollen structure, pollen viability, in vitro pollen germination of ‘Kagzi Kalan’ lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck), and in vivo pollen tube growth in self- and cross pollination to understand the mechanism of seedlessness. The results revealed that Kagzi Kalan had tetra-colporate spherical shaped pollen of uniform size. The results of Acetocarmine and FDA test and in vitro germination indicated normal pollen viability and germinability in Kagzi Kalan. In vivo pollen tube growth showed > 50% pollen germination on stigma in all treatments though a greater number of pollen tubes at the mid style, base of the style, and near the ovule was found in cross pollination. Contrary to this, despite optimum pollen germination (53.51–70.37%) in self-pollination treatments, none of the pollen tubes reached the base of the style due to abnormal growth of pollen tubes, viz. curvatures, inhibition of pollen tube growth, and callose deposition. The inhibition of pollen tubes at the mid style under self-pollination treatments, and production of seeded fruits under cross pollination treatments, indicate the presence of self-incompatibility and the site of inhibition of pollen tubes. Thus, gametophytic self-incompatibility (SI) caused seedlessness in Kagzi Kalan by blocking fertilization in the ovary.     

Influence of self-pollination in fruit quality of autogamous almonds

Due to the several advantages expected from growing self-compatible almond cultivars, breeding programmes have recently introduced self-compatibility as an important trait. However, doubts have arisen regarding the capability of the newly obtained self-compatible almonds to produce good yields in monovarietal plantations, and the commercial quality of the fruits from self-pollination. For this reason, in the last years several studies have been conducted to evaluate fruit set and fruit traits following self- and cross-pollination of self-compatible almonds. Their results showed inconsistencies for fruit set and for some of the fruit traits studied. Thus, while some studies showed no differences between both pollination types for any of the fruit traits, others clearly showed important differences with the detriment of self-pollination for commercially important fruit traits. The fact that some of these studies evaluated a low number of individuals and/or fruit traits, implies the need of a more complete study. In this work, 10 fruit traits were studied in 26 self-compatible almonds following self-pollination by bagging and open pollination treatments. In general, and despite a few individuals showed differences between both pollination types for two of the traits, the results showed no influence of self-pollination in fruit quality.     

S-RNase genotypes of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) including new cultivars,lineages, and triploid progenies

Summary

We have determined the S-RNase genotypes of 33 new apple cultivars and lineages produced in Japan, 44 unknown cultivars and two lineages, and 22 triploid progenies. We have speculated on the putative parentage of new cultivars and lineages based on their S-RNase genotypes and also identified mistaken parents. In the case of the triploid progenies, the breeding of new cultivars using a triploid paternal parent may pose problems due to its low pollen viability. Nevertheless, diploid and triploid progenies were obtained using a triploid maternal parent. We have compiled a database of 516 apple S-RNase genotypes, including those previously investigated, which included a survey system for cultivar combinations, showing those that were fully-incompatible, semi-compatible, or fully-compatible, together with information on the PCR-RFLP method used for the identification of S-RNase genotypes and S-RNase allele designation (available at http://www.agr.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~0hort/apple/).     

Fruit set after self-pollination at different floral stages and its relation to pollen-tube growth and stylar S-RNase content in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.)

Summary

To investigate fruit set after self-pollination at different floral stages, and its relationship to the S-RNase content of the style in Japanese apricot, which exhibits gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI), the cultivar ‘Xiyeqing’ was selfand cross-pollinated at –6, –4, –2, 0 and +2 d after anthesis (DAA). At –6 and –4 DAA, the percentage fruit set was low, suggesting that the propensity to seed set was weak during this period. At –2 DAA, the percentage fruit set, after self-pollination, reached a maximum of 5.97%. Thus, the effective time of self-pollination to obtain inbred seed was –2 DAA. Soluble protein extracts of styles at each floral stage were subjected to iso-electric focussing. The results showed that S-RNase began to be synthesized from –6 DAA, reached its maximum expression 2 – 3 d before anthesis, and was degraded slowly after anthesis. The number of pollen-tubes arriving at the stylar base, as detected by fluorescence microscopy, varied at –2, 0, and +2 DAA. The number of pollen-tubes arriving at the stylar base, and the percentage fruit set after self-pollination, exhibited a positive correlation (r = 0.8615; P = 0.1), while the S-RNase content per style showed a negative relationship to fruit set percentage (r = –0.9640; P = 0.01), and to the number of pollen tubes arriving at the stylar base (r = –0.9380; P = 0.01) during this period. This implied that the S-RNase content in the style was mainly responsible for the low percentage fruit set and the low number of pollen-tubes arriving at the stylar base after self-pollination.     

梨不同花龄自花与异花授粉的花柱内花粉管生长及坐果率的比较

对自交不亲和强度不同的梨品种丰水和菊水的不同花龄花进行自花授粉和丰水×菊水异花授粉后,用荧光显微镜观察花粉萌发及生长特性。结果表明,开花当天及以后的自花和异花授粉花粉在柱头上均有较高的萌发率;自花和异花花粉管在花柱内的生长速度及停止生长的位置不同,丰水自花授粉后花粉管生长的短且慢,菊水自花花粉管生长的长且快,而异花授粉的花粉管生长最快。自花授粉后,不同花龄对花粉管生长影响表现为:开花4d前的蕾期授粉以及开花4d后的延迟授粉,花粉管生长长度显著的长。开花6d前的各种授粉组合,花粉管生长均较差。这与田间授粉坐果率的高低基本一致,即整体表现为各个花龄的授粉都以异花授粉坐果率最高,其次为菊水自花授粉,丰水自花授粉坐果率最低。另外,自花授粉中,蕾期授粉和延迟授粉(开花2d后除外)坐果率都有提高,而异花授粉中蕾期授粉和延迟授粉的坐果率却有所下降。     

Sexual compatibility within and between olive cultivars

Summary

Self- and cross-incompatibility of the olive cultivars Frantoio, Manzanillo, Kalamata, Pendolino, and Picual were investigated using a 5 × 5 diallel matrix. Pistils were collected seven days after controlled pollinations on the day of flower opening, and pollen tubes were detected by fluorescence microscopy. Diallel analysis showed significant specific combining ability, general combining ability and reciprocal effects between cultivars for pollen tube growth in the pistil. ‘Frantoio’ was cross-compatible, as either a male or female parent, with each of the other cultivars, but showed a high degree of self-incompatibility. ‘Manzanillo’, ‘Kalamata’, ‘Pendolino’, and ‘Picual’ were crossincompatible, and all except for ‘Manzanillo’, were self-incompatible. It is concluded that ‘Frantoio’ is a good general polleniser for the other cultivars investigated. Pollen tube growth decreased in discrete steps from stigma to upper style, and from upper style to lower style, with the result that only one, and rarely more, pollen tube penetrated ovules. The sex ratio of flowers, and pollen viability using fluroescein diacetate staining and in vitro germination, were examined. ‘Frantoio’, ‘Manzanillo’ and ‘Pendolino’ had more than 80% perfect flowers, while ‘Kalamata’ and ‘Picual’ had less than 30%. ‘Frantoio’ had the highest pollen viability, ‘Kalamata’ and ‘Picual’ were intermediate, and ‘Manzanillo’ and ‘Pendolino’ the lowest. Pollen staining and both in vitro and in vivo germination provided the same male fertility rankings of cultivars.     

Almond Oil Quality as Related to the Type of Pollen Source in Iranian Self Incompatible Cultivars

ABSTRACT

The effects of different pollen sources including five cultivated almond cultivars (Genco, Tuono, 15–5, Filip Ceo, and Supernova) on quantity and quality of chemical composition of two Iranian self-incompatible cultivars (Shahrood 12 and Shahrood 21) as well as self-pollination of these cultivars were investigated. Results showed a variation in oil content and fatty acid composition between two studied cultivars. The oil content was not affected by pollination treatments but the fatty acid composition of almond oil significantly was influenced by type of the pollen source. The most common unsaturated fatty acids found in the kernels of all treatments were oleic acid (68.72–88.26%) and linoleic acid (10.57–22.36%). The type of pollen source with modified oleic/linoleic acid ratio affected the oil quality. The highest oleic/linoleic acid ratio was obtained in Shahrood 12 (8.35%) and Sharood 21 (4.78%) cultivars, which pollinated with Filip Ceo and Supernova pollens, respectively.     

Abortion of reproductive organs in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.): a review

Summary

Levels of abortion of reproductive organs (i.e., buds, flowers, and young fruits) in sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) are high, and cyclical fluctuations occur in fruit set. Stages susceptible to abortion are very young buds (< 2.5 mm), buds close to anthesis, and flowers and fruits up to 14 d after anthesis. An overview of factors and processes involved in flower and fruit abortion in sweet peppers is presented. More light, higher CO₂ concentrations, and lower planting density, increase the availability of assimilates per plant, and decrease fruit abortion. The cyclical pattern in fruit set is caused by changes in demand for assimilates. High flower abortion occurs when fast growing fruit (at approx. 3 weeks after anthesis) are present, due to competition for assimilates. Fruit set increases when fast growing fruit are almost mature and have a low assimilate demand. Prior to abortion, auxin export from the reproductive organ diminishes, ethylene production increases, and lower levels of activity of sucrose-cleaving enzymes are found. Severe water stress and low nutrient supply also increase abortion levels. Low night- and high day-time temperatures hamper pollen development, causing low seed set, which can result in fruit abortion. Two theories have been used to explain abortion: unbalanced demand for and supply of assimilates, and hormonal dominance of developing fruit over young fruit. Attempts to prevent abortion or to diminish the cyclical pattern of fruit set have not yet been successful, but new suggestions are presented.     

中国原产果梅自交亲和变异品种花粉决定基因SFB的插入突变

 果梅是配子体自交不亲和树种,但在长期进化过程中也出现了自交亲和品种。以果梅典型的自交不亲和品种‘南高’和自交亲和品种‘甲州小梅’为对照,采用田间自交授粉试验对原产于中国的‘四川白梅’和‘长农17’两个果梅品种进行了自交亲和性鉴定,结果表明：其自花授粉坐果率分别为30.73%和16.27%,属于自交亲和品种。进一步通过AS-PCR分析发现花粉SFB基因存在一段插入序列,造成了分子水平的基因突变。推测该基因的突变使‘四川白梅’和‘长农17’SFB功能发生改变,从而自交亲和。     

扁桃的开花结实特性

新疆3个扁桃品种在河北省保定生长正常,以毛桃为砧木的2年生树即能形成花芽并结果;花器发育正常,花药内花粉数量多,有正常的发育能力;供试品种自花结实率为0或极低,属异花结实类型;新疆扁桃能在各类结果枝上形成花芽熏但以中、短结果枝结果为主,3月下旬至4月上旬开花,有两次落花落果高峰,结果初期坐果率低,均在10%以下;果实及种子发育正常,果实8月下旬到9月上旬成熟,平均果实干重3.54g,种子(包括内果皮和种仁)干重2.05g,种仁干重0.91g,出仁率为44.4%。     

Cross- and self-compatibility in various species of the genus Rosa

Summary

Self- and cross-compatibility was evaluated under field conditions in 48 taxa belonging to all sections of subgenus Rosa and subgenus Platyrhodon in the genus Rosa. Four species exhibited fruit set through self-pollination out of the 28 diploid species tested. In contrast, nine out of 12 tetraploid species, all of pentaploid species, and four out of five hexaploid species exhibited fruit set through self-pollination. Thus, it may be generally said that the self-incompatibility in the genus Rosa breaks down with polyploidization. The relationship between self-incompatibility and ploidy level is discussed.     

Effect of pistil age and pollen parent on pollen tube growth and fruit production of pistachio

Female pistachio (Pistacia vera) trees were hand pollinated with pollen from three different male genotypes 0,1,2,3 and 4 d after anthesis. Results were measured by mature fruit set and by fluorescence microscopy of pollen germination and tube growth in the pistil. Maximum pollen tube growth and fruit set of split nuts was achieved following pollination within two days of anthesis. Three day old pistils supported pollen tube growth, but fruit set was low. Four day old pistils supported little pollen tube growth or fruit set. Significant differences were also apparent between pollen parents, with low pollen tube growth and fruit set following interspecific pollination with P. atlantica pollen. All pollen tubes were observed to penetrate chalazogamously, and parthenocarpic production of blank fruits occurred in both unpollinated and pollinated treatments. The results indicate that for optimum fruit production of pistachio, pollen transfer must be achieved within 2 d of anthesis and pollination by P. atlantica should be avoided.     

果梅花粉原位萌发及花粉管生长特性的研究

以软条红梅为试材,分别于白花授粉和异花授粉后的1、3、6、12、24、48、72、96、120 h切取花柱,用FAA固定液处理、荧光染色后压片观察,结果表明:异花和自花花粉都能在柱头上萌发,但在授粉后的48 h之内异花花粉的萌发率显著高于自花花粉的萌发率,如在授粉6 h后,异花花粉萌发率高达58％,而自花花粉的萌发率仅为23％。花柱内异花花粉管生长速度明显比自花的快,在授粉后花粉管到达花柱上部、中部及基部的数目均是异花高于白花。如授粉24 h后异花花粉管平均有30余根穿过花柱上部,约有14根到达中部,有2根到达基部;而自花授粉的花粉管分别仅有18、7和0根,且白花授粉时在72 h内均未见有花粉管到达花柱基部,主要在花柱中部前后停止生长。结果表明软条红梅自花授粉的花粉管主要是在花柱中部被抑制而停止生长,从而不能完成受精,表现出典型的配子体型自交不亲和性。     

Studies on the Nutrition of Tulips and Narcissi

Summary

We explored the effects of pollination method (hand cross-, hand self-, automatic self-, and open-pollination) and pollen source on fruit set and growth in four red-skinned pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) cultivars [‘Vietnam White’ (‘VNWhite’), ‘Chaozhou 5’, ‘Orejona’, and ‘F11’] in Taiwan.‘VN-White’ has white flesh, while the other three cultivars have red flesh. There were no significant differences in pollen viability or germination rate among the four cultivars, irrespective of whether the pollen was collected at night (approx. 20.30 h) or on the following morning (approx. 08.30 h).The results also indicated that ‘VN White’ was fully self-compatible and exhibited a high fruit set percentage (80 - 96%) following all pollination treatments. This cultivar produced the largest fruit from both hand self- and openpollination, compared to the three other cultivars tested. ‘Chaozhou 5’ was partly self-compatible, and ‘Orejona’ and ‘F11’ were completely self-incompatible. Hand cross-pollination significantly increased the fruit set percentages and mean fruit fresh weights (FWs) in ‘Chaozhou 5’ and ‘Orejona’. Pollen source also significantly affected the fruit set percentage and fruit FW. ‘VN-White’ (after self-pollination) and ‘Chaozou 5’ (after crossing with ‘VN-White’) gave superior fruit set percentages and fruit FWs. Reciprocal crosses between ‘Orejona’ and ‘F11’ also resulted in high fruit set percentages as well as large fruit in both cultivars. Therefore, the source of pollen and the method of pollination can affect fruit production in some cultivars of pitaya. Self-compatibility in ‘VN-White’ concurs with the morphology of its flowers in which the anthers lie in close proximity to the stigma.The distance between the anthers and the stigma may be used an indicator of whether hand pollination is necessary for a pitaya cultivar.     

桃雌能花品种人工辅助授粉方法的研究

研究了2种人工辅助授粉方式对桃(Prunuspersica)雌能花品种结实率的影响。结果表明:(1)人工喷雾授粉和人工点授均能显著提高桃雌能花品种的结实率,2者差异不显著;(2)人工喷雾授粉时以花粉、蔗糖、蒸馏水的质量比为1∶37.5∶250结实率最高,可达38.39%;(3)人工喷雾授粉时满足产量要求结实率的花粉、蔗糖、蒸馏水最佳质量比为1∶75∶500,盛果期大树进行人工辅助授粉时,采1000个花蕾的花粉可喷洒18株树。