The Effect of Cross-Pollination on Fruit Set and Quality in Robinson and Fremont Mandarins

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previous studies on cross-pollination of Citrus varieties have shown the existence of a wide variation in fruit set ratio, fruit size, and number of seeds per fruit with different pollinators. In the current study, the effects of four pollinator cultivars ( Rhode Red Valencia , Midknight Valencia , and Valencia Late oranges and Rio Red grapefruit) on the fruit set, and some fruit quality characters of Robinson and Fremont mandarin cultivars were determined. The experimental setup was a complete randomized design with three replications of each combination. The effects of cross-pollination on fruit set and pomological characters, such as fruit weight, total soluble solids (TSS), TSS:TA (total acids) ratio, and number of seeds per fruit were statistically significant. At maturity, female parent cultivars’ flowers that were cross-pollinated with Valencia Late orange, had the highest fruit set with 23.08% and 21.57%, respectively. The heaviest fruits of Robinson mandarin were obtained by cross-pollination with Rhode Red Valencia orange. Avarege fruit weight from open-pollinated was higher than those from cross-pollination in Fremont mandarin. According to the results, Rhode Red Valencia and Valencia Late oranges for Robinson mandarin and Midknight Valencia orange, and Rio Red grapefruit for Fremont mandarin, were determined as the best crossings.

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Artificial cross , pollination , Citrus reticulata , fruit set , quality

The Journal Of Ege University Faculty Of Agriculture

112

The Journal Of Ege University Faculty Of Agriculture