Pollen tube growth and fruit set in quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.)

Abstract

Aim of study: To determine the self-compatibility level of eight quince cultivars. Area of study: The region of Belgrade (Central Serbia). Material and methods: Pollen tube growth in vivo and fruit set in two pollination variants (self- and open-pollination) were studied in eight quince cultivars. The quantitative parameters of pollen tube growth (average number of pollen tubes in the upper and middle third of the style, base of the style and in the ovary; the dynamics of pollen tube growth through these parts of the pistil) was determined using the fluorescence microscopy. Main results: The parameters of pollen tube growth and fruit set were primarily dependent on the genotype and variants of pollination. All studied parameters were significantly higher in the open-pollination variant compared with the self-pollination in all cultivars. In the self-pollination variant, 'Leskovacka' and Vranjska' had the highest number of pollen tubes that penetrated the ovary (2.10 and 0.54 in average, respectively), as well as the largest percentage of pistils with the penetration of pollen tubes in the nucellus of ovules six days after pollination (40.09% and 14.74%). Also, they had the highest percentage of initial fruit set (17.01% and 28.52%) and final fruit set (9.32% and 9.86%). Based on this, 'Leskovacka' and 'Vranjska' can be classified as self-compatible cultivars, while the others are self-incompatible. Research highlights: The majority of quince cultivars were self-incompatible. When establishing new orchards with these cultivars, care should be taken about the choice of pollenisers in order to achieve high yields.