NUMBER OF ANTHERS PER FLOWER, POLLEN GRAINS PER ANTHER AND POLLEN GERMINATION CAPACITY OF DIFFERENT CULTIVARS OF APPLE TREES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the number of anthers per flower, the number of pollen grains per anther and the pollen germination capacity of different cultivars of apple trees. The study was performed at the Physiology and Plant Genetics Laboratory of Federal University of Santa Catarina. The field collecting was performed at Epagri / Cacador Experimental Station, in the State of Santa Catarina during October, 2005. It was used the following apple cultivars developed in Brazil: Primicia, Princesa, Fred Hough, Catarina, Baronesa, Lisgala, Suprema, Condessa, Daiane, Duquesa, Imperatriz and Joaquina. It was concluded that the apple cultivars Condessa, Princesa, Eva, Duquesa, Imperatriz, Gala, Fred Hough, Daiane, Baronesa and Suprema produce pollen grains of satisfactory quantity and of good germination capacity. The cv. Condessa, although having high pollen germination capacity, produces fewer anthers and less pollen grain per anther than the others. Princesa is the cultivar of best pattern as pollinizer, once it combines number of anthers/flower, number of pollen grains/anther and pollen germination capacity in a better satisfactory level.