Investigation on the Fertilization Biology of Santa Maria and June Beauty Summer Pear Cultivars

Authors: Sinan ETİ, Nurettin KAŞKA, A. Fuat GÖKÇE

Abstract: In this study, fertilization biology of Santa Maria and June Beauty summer pear cultivars, grown under Adana ecological conditions, were investigated. In addition to these two cultivars Prococe di Fiorano was taken as pollinators. In order to determine the pollinator ability of these cultivars, the polen viability, germination capacity and production level of pollens were tested in vitro. Viability of the pollens was determined by TTC and FDA tests. In vitro pollen germination experiments with 'hanging drop' method were done in 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 % sucrose solutions. In addition, pollen production of the cultivars were detemined by using 'hemacytometric method'. The percentage of fruit-set obtained from free-, self- and cross-pollination experiments, determined in vitro. In order to determine the parthenocarpic fruit settings ability, the flowers were emasculated and isolated. Additionally, the fruit sizes and the number of seeds per fruit determined in all experiments. Santa Maria has given the best results on the pollen viability and germination test. The most suitable pollen germination media were 10 and 15 % sucrose solutions depending on the cultivars. The highest pollen production level was obtained from Santa Maria. After cross-pollinations, it was found that Santa Maria and June Beauty were good pollinators for each other. Moreover, Santa Maria cv. was found to have a tendency for parthenocarpic fruit set.

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