Fruit Set and Enlargement in Fertilized and Unfertilized Olive Ovaries

Abstract

Fruit set and enlargement were compared for fertilized and unfertilized olive (Olea europaea L.) ovaries, the latter obtained by flower emasculation and bagging to prevent pollination. In the control population, the timing of abscission coincided with the onset of ovary expansion following fertilization. In the emasculated population, ovary expansion was only slight, and abscission was substantially delayed. Separation of the ovaries by size using graduated screens provided a useful tool for the evaluation of ovary growth.