Pollen source effect on pollen tube growth in advan- ced self-compatible almond selections ( Prunus amygdalus Batsch)

Pollen tube growth after self- and cross-pollination was studied in 35 advanced almond selections to ascertain their self-compatibility as this trait is the main objective of most breeding programmes. The dynamics of pollen tube growth and the number of pollen tubes at the style base showed significant differences between genotypes, independently of the pollen source, pointing to morphological and biochemical differences between them. The number of pollen tubes at the style base was also pollination-type dependent Some genotypes with a common ancestor showed a lower number of pollen tubes at the style base after self-pollination than after cross- pollination, suggesting a genetic component probably due to inbreeding. As a consequence, the level of self-com- patibility expression must be carefully evaluated in almond breeding programmes to avoid problems of low pro- ductivity, which may be due to a masked self-compatibility.

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