The Determination of Pollen Quality in Some Peach Cultivars and Types

Abstract

The aim of this study which was conducted out in the Atatürk CentralHorticultural Research Institute in the years 2008 and 2009 was toinvestigate the pollen viability and the germination of five local types (AlyanakHulu, Bayramiç Tüysüzü, Sapanca, Takunyacı-I and Sarı Papa) and seven foreign(Glohaven, Elegant Lady, Monroe, Rio Oso Gem, Fortuna, Jungerman andVivian) peach cultivars. The rate of pollen viability was determined byIodine/Potassium iodide solution (IKI) and 2,3,5 Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC); agar-plate test was used to determine the rate of pollen germination invitro. Morphological homogeneity of pollen was also evaluated. According tothe mean of the year 2008, the rates of pollen viability and germination andmorphological homogeneity varied significantly between cultivars, and wasalso found the differences between two staining tests. Pollen viability in IKI andTTC staining tests, germination and morphological homogeneity of pollen wereranged between 87.08%- 64.26% and 81.28%- 60.94%, 52.12%- 74.27% and43.59%- 99.11% respectively. In 2009, only IKI test and morphologicalhomogeneity of pollen varied significantly, the others were not foundsignificant. According to the rate of morphological homogeneity, Sapanca wasthe worst of all cultivars and types. Consequently, positive correlation wasfound between the rates of pollen viability and germination, and these ratesincreased when morphological homogeneity of pollens rises.