Effect of self-, open- and cross-pollination with Sensation on fruit set in mango cultivar

An attempt was made to study the pollen-pistil interactions in mango cv. Amrapali as a result of self-, open- and cross-pollination with cv. Sensation. It was observed that self-pollination in Amrapali resulted in rapid decline in fruit retention than open- and cross-pollination (Amrapali × Sensation) during 20 days after pollination (DAP). Out of 1,133 self-pollinated flowers, only three fruits (0.26%) were observed after 25 days of pollination. In contrast, cross-pollination with Sensation (637 flowers) resulted in 32 fruits (5.02%) after 25 days of pollination. It was also evident that regardless of pollination method, flower and fruit drop were more pronounced during first 20 days after pollination. Results of the present investigation clearly indicate that ‘Amrapali’ does not favour self-pollination. However, cross-pollination results in substantial fruit set.