Assessment of pollen viability and germination in seven varieties of lemon

Abstract

The gametic sterility, the long duration of the young stage, species incompatibilities and especially the high rate of polyembryony are common difficulties in citrus breeding. Polyembryonic cultivars usually contain a zygotic embryo at the earlier stages of seeds. By embryo rescue techniques, the zygotic embryos further development can be secured. In this study, suitable GA3 concentration (0; 1; 2 mg/L) and embryo development stages (days after pollination 105, 115, 125) for embryo germination at Cleopatra mandarin x Carrizo citrange and Cleopatra mandarin x ‘Flying Dragon’ trifoliate orange were examined. The results indicated that the highest germination rate was observed from 2 mg/L GA3 containing M&T media which were harvested 115 days after pollination. The highest germination rates of embryos taken 115 days after pollination and germinated on 2 mg/L GA3 containing media in Cleopatra mandarin x Carrizo citrange and Cleopatra mandarin x Flying Dragon were obtained with 65% and 30%, respectively

Keywords

• citrus, embryo rescue, GA3, germination, hybridization, immature embryo

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