FLORAL BIOLOGY AND POLLEN QUALITY OF SOME HAZELNUT CULTIVARS FROM THE NORTHERN PART OF OLT COUNTY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to study the floral biology and pollen quality of 4 hazelnut cultivars ('Romavel', 'Vâlcea 22', 'Uriaș de Halle' and 'Tonda Gentile delle Langhe' ('TGDL') cultivated in Leleasca area, Olt County, Romania. We carried out the observations regarding the phenology of hazelnut (using BBCH scale), the degree of dichogamy, and the viability (in carmine acetic) and germination capacity of the pollen (on solid medium with sucrose and agars). The flowering period spanned two months (from January to February). Regarding the phenomenon of dichogamy, 2 cultivars were protandrous, one was protogynous and one was homogamous. The average pollen viability value was 61.43 %, ranging from 54.71 % for the
'Vâlcea 22' cv. to 70.27 % for the 'Romavel' cv. The mean value of pollen germination capacity was 22.87 % ranging from 19.35 % for the 'TGDL' cv. to 28.22 % for the 'Romavel' cv. These results provide information on the potential for using a cultivar as a genitors in controlled hybridization, as well as a pollinator in commercial orchards.