Characterization of the Reproductive Behavior of Two New Mandarin Hybrids

Abstract

The reproductive behavior of M9 and B30, two new hybrids of mandarin (‘Ellendale’ tangor x Satsuma ‘Owari’) developed at the Uruguayan Citrus Breeding Program, was studied during two annual cycles. Self-incompatibility of both cultivars was demonstrated, both in natural self-pollination and in directed pollination. In both hybrids, low in vitro pollen germination ability was found. In M9, since 3rd day after anthesis, an in vivo ovule viability loss was evident. At open pollination, 80 % of M9 fruit was seedless, while in B30 the percentage scarcely reached 16 %. After pollinated with ‘Afourer’ mandarin, ‘Valencia’ orange and ‘Lisbon’ lemon, M9 had only 33 % of seedy fruit when ‘Afourer’ was the pollinator. On the contrary, B30 presented 100 % of seedy fruit after being pollinated with ‘Afourer’ and ‘Valencia’. Reproductive differences between both hybrids are discussed.