FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE-ORGANS IN SELF-COMPATIBLE ALMOND (PRUNUS-DULCIS (MILL.) WEBB,D.A.) LAURANNE AND FERTILIZATION PATTERNS

Morphological characteristics of the ovary of the self-compatible vari ety Lauranne of almond, Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb (syn, Prunus a mygdalus Batsch.), are described. Scanning electron microscopy and cyt ological observations show that the ovule is anatropous pendent with i ts elongated micropyle facing the obturator. This obturator originates from the carpellary margins and extends lengthways in two lobules, ea ch one leading to one ovule. Pollen tubes grow over the obturator and one or several pollen tubes reach the micropyle. Under our field condi tions, pollen tubes reach the base of the style 5 days after pollinati on and the micropyle 2 days later. Various types of ovule penetration are described. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.