Determination of Flower Characteristics of Some Kiwifruit Genotypes (Actinidia Spp.) Obtained with Breeding Program

All Actinidia species are dioecious, male and female flowers grow on separate kiwifruit plants. In breeding studies, it is generally desirable to obtain female individuals. However, male plants are also of great importance for pollination. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the flower characteristics of the genotypes obtained by breeding studies. This research was conducted in the kiwifruit breeding plot of Yalova Atatürk Horticultural Central Research Institute for two years. Genotypes obtained from cultivars belonging to Actinidia deliciosa and Actinidia chinensis were used in the research. At the time of flowering, phenological observations of male and female genotypes, which are prominent in the population, have been made and the developmental stages of the flowers have been determined. At least 10 flowers of each genotype were used to determine the morphological characteristics.Number of leaves, number of petals, number of male organs, number of filaments, number of female organs, number of female organs and number of stylus were examined in order to determine flower characteristics. When the data obtained as a result of two years are evaluated; significant differences have been obtained particularly in terms of flowering time, flowering period, the number of stylus, the filament size, the number of female organs and the number of male organs. Female cultivars/genotypes tend to flowering later than male cultivars/genotypes, and female cultivars/genotypes have shorter filament length than male cultivars/genotypes. It has also been clearly observed that ovaries are not functional in male types

Susceptibility to downy mildew (

Turkey has a very old history of viticulture and also homeland of the grapevine (Vitis spp.). Vitis cultivars belonging to different species are grown in almost every region in the country. However, particularly downy mildew and powdery mildew diseases affect the cultivars belonging to Vitis vinifera. In northern of Turkey Vitis labrusca and hybrids between V.vinifera and V.labrusca are rather common. V.labrusca cultivars or genotypes exhibit generally higher degree of resistance than V. vinifera cultivars. However, resistance level can vary from cultivar to cultivar and even from clone to clone within one cultivar. In this study, different Vitis hybrids and genotypes which exhibit different downy and powdery mildew susceptibility are compared for two years. Especially some V.labrusca hybrids and genotypes appeared resistance for both diseases. On the other hand, interspecific crosses and V.vinifera cultivars were found to be more susceptible. Using resistant lines as parent in later breeding activities, it could be possible grow high quality table cultivars with much fewer pesticide applications or possibly without them