STIGMA RECEPTIVITY AND STYLE PERFORMANCE IN SEVERAL APRICOT CULTIVARS

A study of the development of the receptivity of stigma and style in the climatic conditions of south-east Spain on several varieties of apricot, revealed that the stigma cannot usually be considered mature at the balloon stage but reaches its optimum condition between two and four days later, decreasing rapidly thereafter. Results showed that after four days the stigma limits fruit set. The style tissue permitted adequate growth of pollen tubes, although in 'Velazquez Fino' there was a delay in the maturing of the style apparatus compared with the stigma on the first day of the experiment. 'Carrascal' showed the longest lasting receptivity, which reflects its high productivity, but 'Gitano' showed poor receptivity throughout the experiment.