Pistil receptivity in self-compatible almond cultivars

Abstract

The release of new self-compatible almond cultivars opens a new possibility for growing mono-cultivar orchards. However, the success of these orchards in Mediterranean countries where wild honeybees are more and more scarce, requires that each single flower would have to be self-pollinated. Anthers must release their pollen onto the stigma surface during stigma receptivity. The objective of this work was to determine the pistil receptivity of six self-compatible almond cultivars from day 0 to day 2 after anthesis, the time during which anthers normally release pollen. In general, the pistils remained receptive for 48 hours after anthesis. This allows enough time for the pollen to be released from the anthers onto the stigma, germinate, and reach the ovary. The flowers of these self-compatible cultivars are therefore able to achieve self-fertilization for at least 48 hours after anthesis.