The effects of different pollinators on fruit set and fruit quality in Robinson mandarin

ABSTRACTMSc. THESISTHE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT POLLINATORS ON FRUIT SET ANDFRUIT QUALITY IN ROBINSON MANDARINjlal EKENDEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTUREINSTITUTE OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCESUNIVERSITY OF ÇUKUROVASupervisor : Prof. Dr. Sinan ETYear : 2006, Pages: 76Jury : Prof. Dr. Sinan ET: Prof. Dr. Turgut YE LO LU: Prof. Dr. Ahmet Can ÜLGERIn this reseach, Dancy, Fairchild, Klemantin SRA-70, Klemantin SRA-73, Lee,Marsh Seedless, Nova and Sunburst citrus varieties were used as pollinators forRobinson mandarin. Pollen viability, germination and production under in vitroconditions and pollen tube growth under in vivo conditions were investigated. Theeffects of free, self and cross pollination on fruit set, fruit growth and some qualitycharacteristics were determined.As the results of the pollen viability tests, the highest values were maintainedfrom Fairchild, Dancy, Klemantin SRA-73 and Sunburst varieties. The pollenviability of Marsh Seedless grapefruit variety was not found adequate. In the pollengermination tests the highest germination in all varieties (except the Marsh Seedlessgrapefruit variety) were obtained from % 15 and %20 sucrose concentrations. Thehighest values in terms of pollen production were maintained from Marsh Seedlessvariety. The pollen tube growth in all the tested combinations except free pollination,self pollination and Robinson x Marsh Seedless applications, pollen tubes reached tothe ovule. The slowest growth was observed in Robinson x Marsh Seedlessapplication.Outcome of this study showed that the pollinating ability of Fairchild, Leeand Klemantin SRA -73 mandarin varieties were high. The pollinating ability ofMarsh Seedless grapefruit variety.Key words: Mandarin, pollen, pollination, fruit set, fruitII