In vitro pollen germination, pollen tube growth and longevity in some genotypes of loquat (Eriobotria japonica Lindl.)

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is one of the most perspective trees with tasty fruits suitable for commercial production in Iran. However, self-incompatibility of most loquat cultivars makes it necessary to select good pollinizers in breeding and orchard establishment programs. Therefore, studies on pollen viability traits of cultivars and genotypes have been one of the main issues for loquat growers and breeders which are investigated in this study. The experiment was conducted in in vitro conditions for the identification of the pollen germination and longevity in some loquat genotypes for recognition of the best pollinizers. Pollens of twenty (20) genotypes were gathered and after three weeks storage in 0°C, their pollen germination, pollen tube growth rate and pollen longevity were tested in the in vitro medium. The experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design (CRD) and data were analyzed with SAS software. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes in pollen germination, pollen tube growth rate and pollen longevity. Finally, the best genotypes were selected for using in loquat orchard establishment and breeding programs in Iran.