The effect of pollen viability and germination ratios on the fruit set and quality in the local pepper population

The purpose of this study was to determine fluctiations of pollen viability and germination ratios in open cultivated pepper population in Aydın, and to examine their effects on yield and fruit quality. During the growing season - in 2003 and 2004, there were fluctiations in pollen viability and germination ratios in three pepper varieties (Çine Charleston, Şahnalı and Bağcı Charleston). It was observed that pollen viability and germination ratios decreased with the increasing in temperature. On the other hand, in parallel with pollen viability and germination ratios, there was a fluctiation in yield rates during the season. With the increasing in temperature, fruit quality of varieties decreased. Increases in temperature caused formation of harsh and small fruits named as "aborted fruits" having no market quality especially in Çine and Bağcı Charleston. Key words: Pepper, pollen viability, pollen germination, pollen production capacities, aborted fruit.