Determination of Self-Compatibility of the 'Arsel' Olive Cultivar Obtained by Hybridization Breeding

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine the fertilization biology of the 'Arsel' olive cultivar obtained by hybridization breeding. For this reason, treatments of open pollination, cross pollination, and self-pollination were performed for 2 years and self-compatibility and appropriate pollinators of this new cultivar were investigated. Among the varieties included as pollinators (‘Memecik’, ‘Gemlik’, ‘Uslu’, ‘Ayvalık’ and ‘Eğriburun Nizip’), the highest fruit set was achieved with ‘Memecik’ and ‘Gemlik’ varietes in both years (2.64%, 1.37% and 1.75%, 1.39%). For this reason, ‘Memecik’ and ‘Gemlik’ cultivars were the best pollinator for ‘Arsel’ olive was thought. On the other hand, considering the statistical analyzes and productivity index values, ‘Arsel’ variety was found to be self-incompatible. However, the data also indicated that cross pollination was effective in increasing fruit set. Therefore, it is thought that the use of pollinator cultivar in orchard establishment would be beneficial in terms of yield. Pollen viability and germination tests were performed by using 2,3,5 Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride (TTC) and agar in petri (15% sucrose + 1% agar + 100 ppm H3BO3) methods in the study. The highest pollen viability rate was observed in ‘Memecik’ cultivar in 2020 and there isn’t statistical differences between olive cultivars in 2018. The highest pollen germination rate was observed in ‘Arsel’ cultivar in 2018. Accordingly, differences were determined between pollen viability and germination rates of examined olive cultivars in terms of years.