Micro- and megasporogenesis of early-ripening apple cultivars and pollen quality

Abstract

Micro- and megasporogenesis, gametogenesis, pollen viability and germination, and pollen quality after 30 days of storage at +4 °C were studied in 10 early-ripening apple cultivars. Normal tetrads accounted for 89.8–94.0 %, normal ovules for 88.6–91.2 % and fully developed gametophytes for 87.2–91.5 %. The best pollen was produced by Katta Jonaqi (viability 78.5 %, germination 73.0 %) and Williams' Pride (77.2 %; 72.5 %), which also lost the least viability during storage (10.2–10.5 %). These cultivars are recommended as pollen parents.