The Flower Phenology of Sour Cherry Cultivars

Abstract

Knowledge of flower phenology and reproductive activities is of significant importance,<br><br>particularly in sweet and sour cherries which show different degrees of incompatibility. The main objective<br><br>of this research is to understand the flower microphenology (Anther dehiscence and stigma viability) of<br><br>Hungarian sour cherry cultivars (Botermo, Erdijubileum and Sigany) under Mashhad climatically<br><br>conditions. For this purpose an experiment was conducted in 2005 and 2006 using a completely<br><br>randomized design with 3 replication in 2005 and 5 replication in 2006. In order to check the phonological<br><br>stages, flowers were taken in to consideration from before opening up to the browning phase of stigma. The<br><br>duration of pollen shedding, stigma receptivity and climatic factors were measured. The relative time of<br><br>flowering between cultivars varied from year to year. Data indicates that thermal variations strongly<br><br>contribute to significant differences in the duration of stigma viability, although there were not significant<br><br>differences between cultivars in anther dehiscence period.