Morphological structure of the stigma and style of several genotypes of Prunus armeniaca L.

The morphology of the stigmatic surface and style of apricot (Prunus armeni aca L.) is described, in order to extend current knowledge of stylar and st igmatic structures. Eight apricot cultivars of different geographical origi n and characterised by a different self-compatibility behaviour were analys ed. Whole pistils were removed from flowers at different phenological stage s. Analyses were performed on frozen-hydrated specimens by Low-Temperature SEM. Morphological observations were conducted on: stigma (shape, size and presence of exudate), stigmatic papillae (shape, size, density and distribu tion) and style (inner structures). A comparative study of thr different ap ricot cultivars showed several morphological differences related to the gen otype.