Pollen effects on fruit and seed characteristics in pistachio (Pistacia vera L.)

Abstract

The agronomic profitability of nut production in pistachio (Pistacia veru L.) is hampered by several factors such as the production of empty nuts, the small size and dry weight of the edible kernel and the low percentage of endocarp dehiscence. The causes underlining these problems are still unknown. The effect of pollinations with pollen from P. atlaiitica and six different P. wera genotypes on several fruit, nut and embryo characters was compared to study possible xenic a n d or metaxenic effects. The use of P. utlantica pollen affected some traits, but there were no clear differences when the pollen of the different P. vera genotypes was used suggesting that, at the intraspecific level, the main limitation to pistachio fruit production problems might not be due to pollen factors.

Effects of supplementary pollination on cropping success and fruit quality in pistachio

“…Pistachio pollen grains were collected, stored and tested for germinability prior to their application according to a protocol described by Vaknin and Eisikowitch (2000). Since pollen source could affect fruit and seed characteristics (Nevo et al 1974, Hormaza andHerrero 1998), pure cv. ÔPetersÕ pollen was used on most experiments, except for those in 1996.…”

Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies: Nut and Beverage Crops

“…There is no fertilization barrier, except the difference in bloom time, to obtain F1 seedlings between Pistacia species such as P. vera, P. eurycarpa Yalt., P. atlantica Desf, P. terebinthus, etc. (Hormaza and Herrero 1998;Kafkas and Kaska 1997). Since pistachio is dioecious, and males and females may not necessarily bloom synchronically, pollen grains are collected and stored when female flowers are still closed.…”

Identification of male genotypes in Pistacia vera L. species using SSR markers

“…While the main information of the behavior of female pistachio cultivars are recently convenient, little studies are carried out about male clones and genotypes as pollinators (Acar and Eti, 2007). Many literatures reviewed the effectiveness of male pistachio cultivar on productivity process (Hormaza and Herrero, 1998;Ozeker et al, 2006;Atli et al, 2006;Abu-Zahra and Al-Abbadi, 2007; Kebour et al, 2013Guerrero et al, 2014. Although the number of varieties constituting the species Pistacia vera L. is considerable; evaluation and identification processes are facing miss-genetic relatedness of taxonomic classifications (Kebour et al, 2012).…”