Fruit quality in almond as related to the type of pollination in self-compatible genotypes

Abstract

Nut and kernel dimensions and sphericity, shelling percentage, oil content, and fatty acid composition were studied over 2 years in 15 advanced almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) selections. The aim was to test the effect of pollination type on these fruit traits for this group of new self-compatible selections of a mostly self-incompatible species as well as the yearly effect on these variables. Variability between selections was much higher than that between years, showing a moderate level of year-stability and a significant year effect only for some variables. The different pollination treatments affected all chemical components studied, as well as nut and kernel weight, but not the other physical traits. Self-pollination decreased kernel weight and volume as well as oil content and percentage of linoleic acid but increased the percentage of oleic acid. These variations in the fatty acid composition were in the trend of increasing kernel quality. Inbreeding depression could also negatively affect several aspects of nut and kernel quality. Thus, autogamous almond genotypes without apparent symptoms of inbreeding depression may yield kernels of increased nutritional and industrial quality.