Initial fruit set at high temperature in olive, Olea europaea L.

The effects of temperature on the progamic phase, fertilization and initial fruit set in cross pollinated olives were studied to determine the reasons for poor fruit set when high temperatures occur during the bloom period. Fruit set in ‘Manzanillo’ olive was completely inhibited at 30°C constant temperature. This temperature significantly reduced pollen germination but did not prevent pollen tube growth. Ovule penetration by the pollen tube was observed in 47% of the flowers at 30°C; however, the lack of growth of both functional ovules and ovaries suggests problems in zygote formation or endosperm development. The most favourable temperature was 25°C, in which faster pollen tube growth, more and earlier fertilization, and more fruit set occurred. At 20°C pollen tube growth was slower, resulting in delayed and reduced fertilization.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cuevas, Julián, Rallo, Luis, Rapoport, Hava F.
Format: artículo biblioteca
Language:English
Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 1994
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/251313
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!