Effect of selected pistachio pollen on development and quality of pistachio nuts of three commercially grown cultivars¹

Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada Contribution No. 335/96–01–01R.

Abstract

The effect of pollen of two wild pistachio species (Pistacio atlantica and Pistado mutica), two cultivated (Pistado vera, cvs ‘Momtaz’ and ‘Soltani') and a control (open pollinated) was compared on nut development and quality of three commercially grown cultivars (P. vera cvs. ‘Owhadi’, ‘Kalleh‐ghuchi’, and ‘Momtaz'). The pollen source had no effect on final fruit set and fruit weight. Pollen of wild pistachio species reduced kernel weight, number of split nuts, and increased percentages of blank nuts of three commercially grown pistachio cultivars. ‘Owhadi’ had the lowest nut weight and highest percentages of blank nuts. The highest percentages of split nut was observed on the cultivar ‘Momtaz.

Notes

Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada Contribution No. 335/96–01–01R.

Present address: McGill University, Plant Science Department, 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue, Quebec, Canada, H9X 3V9.