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Pollen source, fruit set and zenia in mandarins
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Pollen source, fruit set and zenia in mandarins

Helen M Wallace and L S Lee
Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, Vol.74(1), pp.82-86
1999
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.1999.11511077
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https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.1999.11511077View
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Abstract

pollen source mandarins fruit set fruit quality
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 less than 0.01), a very low fruit weight (33-55 g, compared with 92-103 g, P less than 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 less than 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 (greater than 12.5%, P less than 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 less than 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.

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