ISHS Acta Horticulturae 403: International Symposium on Cultivar Improvement of Horticultural Crops. Part 2: Fruit Crops
INFLOENCE OF POLLINATORS ON FRUIT SET IN CITRUS |
| Authors: | W. dos s. Soares Filho, A.P. da Cunha Sobrinho, L.M. Lee |
| Keywords: | Plant improvement, hybridization, Citrus clementina, C. deliciosa, C. jambhiri, C. limon, C. limonia, C. reshni, C. reticulata, C. sinensis, C. sunki, C. tangerina, C. unshiu, C. volkameriana, Poncirus trifoliata, 'Troyer'adn 'Yuma' citranges, 'Swingle' citrumelo, 'Robinson' tangerine-tangelo, 'Orlando', 'Page' |
| Abstract:
Fruit setting rate in citrus is a character strongly influenced by the environment, and may also show variations depending on theparents used. The occurence of different levels of incompatibility in certain crosses, as well as the existence of varieties with little viable pollen, not uncommon phenomena, may have a negative effect on the results of hybridization, with loss of time and materials. The situation is clearly observed in genetic improvement programs, in which a large number of crosses is performed involving several varieties. In this regard, a knowledge of fruit set rates, from controlled pollinations of different varieties, could be important in the selection of parents. These should yield adequate numbers of fruits and, consequently, of hybrids from controlled crosses. The present study had this objective and it was based on results of fruit set from hybridizations performed as part of the Citrus Breeding Program of the National Center for Research in Cassava and Tropical Fruits CNPMF, of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation EMBRAPA. The hybridizations involved a diversity of citrus varieties, such as sweet oranges, lemons, mandarins, mandarin hybrids, Poncirus trifoliata and hybrids of this species. The rate of fruit set for each female parent as estimated considering the male parents either individually or jointly, in order to identify specific influences of pollinators in these rates. | |
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