Evidence of Self-Compatibility in Indigenous Almond ( Prunus Dulcis(Miller) D. A. Webb.) Selections from India

Abstract

Fruit set studies following bagging and hand self pollination were conducted to determine the pollination behaviour of indigenous almond selections. The mean fruit set percentage recorded 40 and 70 days after bagging varied from 12.02 (Badamjor Spillo No.2C) to 47.04 (Gaur Almond) and 4.96 (Badamjor Spillo No.2C) to 24.81 [Local Selection-II (Gaura)], respectively. Six selections resulted in more than 20 per cent fruit set after 70 days of bagging. The mean per cent unit fruit set resulting from hand self pollination ranged from 13.99 (Badamjor Spillo No.2C) to 78.27 (Telangi Selection) recorded after 40 days while it varied from 6.27 (Badamjor Spillo No.2C) to 53.78 (Telangi Selection) when recorded after 70 days of hand self pollination. High fruit sets (more than 20 per cent) after 70 days of hand self pollination in as many as sixteen selections indicates the presence of self-compatibility in indigenous almonds. Positive correlations were observed between different fruit set obtained through bagging and hand self pollination and between different dates after pollination.