Abstract

Pollen quality and pollen production of 21 almond cultivars under Kaharamanmaras ecological conditions were analyzed to see the effect on fruit yield and quality. Pollen viability tests with TTC and FDA methods and pollen germination tests were performed by hanging drop method in sucrose (10, 15 and 20%, respectively) containing media and on agar media containing sucrose (0, 5, 10 15 and 20%, respectively) in petri dish. The amount of pollen production and pollen morphological homogeneity levels were also determined. In pollen viability tests, Masbovera, False Baresa, Tuano and Nonpareil varieties; in pollen germinating test Cristomorto, Yaltinski and Gloretia varieties; in the determination of pollen production Bertina, Felisia, Super Nova and Masbovera varieties had the highest values. Morphological homogeneities were found to be high in all the cultivars.

Key words: Pollen, almond cultivars, morphological homogeneity, Kaharamanmaras.