Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore-6.
*Contribution No. 324 of the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, 255, Upper Palace Orchards, Bangalore-6.
There were two flowering seasons, the main one in December-January and the second one in June-July. Hybridization work should be concentrated in the main flowering season only for getting best results. The number of days needed from pruning to flowering varied from variety to variety. So, the time of pruning should be adjusted accordingly for synchronization of flowering for making crosses. The right time for collecting pollen for making crosses and other studies is between 8.0 and 10.0 A.M., which was found to be the peak period of anthesis and dehiscence.
The dehiscence started immediately after anthesis. So, the emasculation of flower buds for making crosses should be done a day or two before flowers start opening and controlled cross-pollinations should be done from a day before to a day after anthesis when the stigmas are receptive. Pollen at room conditions kept viable for 1–4 weeks and at —10°C with no humidity control they kept viable for 4–9 weeks depending upon the variety. Angur Kalan, Coarna Rosie and Katta Kurgan were found to be male sterile, and should be used only as female parents in hybridization programme. To get good seed germination and thus a large number of hybrid seedlings, it is advisable to use Anab-e-Shahi, Bangalore Blue and Taifi Rozovi as female parents and Black Champa, Convent Large Black and Queen of the Vineyards as male parents. Use of well-sterilized soil mixture was found essential for obtaining good seed germination and to avoid subsequent damping off of the seedlings.
