Abstract The objective of this study is to describe the agronomic attributes of the SCS443 Isadora apple tree cultivar and to highlight its potential use in Brazil. Obtained by the hybridization made at Epagri in 2001 between ‘Imperatriz’ and ‘Cripps Pink’, after 20 years of agronomic evaluations carried out in Caçador-SC and Fraiburgo-SC, ‘SCS443 Isadora’ was originated. This cultivar has a wide plasticity of adaptation to the southern Brazilian climate due to the medium chilling requirement to overcome dormancy. It has greater resistance to the main apple diseases than cv. Gala and fruit harvest is later than cv. Fuji. Its apples have a red skin and firm flesh (=18 lb), with high sugar content (= 14.5 %) and very crunchy and juicy texture, as well as high storage ability in post-harvesting. ‘SCS443 Isadora’ apples can be stored for 8 months, even in refrigerated air atmosphere chambers (21% O2) with inhibition of the ethylene response by the use of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Even stored for long periods of time, the indices of quality loss, physiological disorders and fruit rotting in ‘SCS443 Isadora’ apples are lower than on Gala and Fuji apples.

Resumo O trabalho tem como objetivo descrever os atributos agronômicos da cultivar de macieira SCS443 Isadora e evidenciar suas potencialidades de uso no Brasil. Obtida pela hibridação realizada na Epagri, em 2001, entre ‘Imperatriz’ e ‘Cripps Pink’, após 20 anos de avaliações agronômicas realizadas em Caçador-SC e Fraiburgo-SC, originou-se a ‘SCS443 Isadora’. Esta cultivar é de ampla plasticidade de adaptação ao clima sul-brasileiro, em função do médio requerimento de frio hibernal, para superação da dormência das gemas. Possui maior resistência às principais doenças da macieira que a cv. Gala, e a maturação dos frutos é mais tardia que da cv. Fuji. As suas maçãs são de epiderme vermelha e de polpa firme (=18 lb.),com alto teor de açúcares (= 14,5 %) e de textura muito crocante e suculenta, bem como de muito alta capacidade de conservação em câmara fria. Maçãs ‘SCS443 Isadora’podem ser armazenadas por 8 meses, mesmo em câmaras de atmosfera do ar refrigerado (21% de O2), com a inibição da resposta ao etileno pelo uso do 1-methylcyclopropene(1-MCP). Mesmo armazenadas por longos períodos de tempo, os índices de perda de qualidade, dedistúrbios fisiológicos e de podridões são inferiores aos das maçãs Gala e Fuji.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar genitores e respectivas populações de macieiras quanto aos alelos S para confirmar sua genealogia e avaliar a eficiência dos marcadores moleculares utilizados. Conjuntos específicos de iniciadores foram utilizados para a identificação dos alelos S via PCR. Foram avaliadas duas populações segregantes do Programa de Melhoramento Genético de Macieira da Epagri resultantes dos cruzamentos entre ‘Fred Hough’ × ‘Monalisa’ e ‘M-11/00’ × ‘M-13/91’. As segregações esperadas são 1:1:1:1 para compatibilidade total e 1:1 para semi-compatibilidade, que pode ser confirmada pelo teste X2. O cruzamento ‘Fred Hough’ (S5S19) × ‘Monalisa’ (S2S10) foi identificado como totalmente compatível, e foram identificados dois triploides entre os híbridos. O cruzamento entre ‘M-11/00’ (S3S19) × ‘M-13/91’ (S3S5) se mostrou semi-compatível baseado nos marcadores moleculares e a segregação dos alelos S nos híbridos foi de 1:1 como esperado. A segregação dos marcadores de DNA para S2, S3, S5, S10 e S19 ocorreu juntamente com seus respectivos alelos S. Dessa forma, a caracterização dos alelos S, além de permitir identificar a compatibilidade entre os genitores, serviu para identificar contaminações em populações segregantes.

Abstract The objective of this study was to characterize the parents and respective populations of apple trees regarding S-alleles to confirm their genealogy and to evaluate the efficiency of the molecular markers used. Sixteen specific sets of primers were used for identification of apple S-alleles by PCR. Two segregating populations of the Epagri Apple Breeding Program resulting from crosses between ‘Fred Hough’ × ‘Monalisa’ and ‘M-11/00’ × ‘M-13/91’ were evaluated. The expected segregations are 1:1:1:1 for full compatibility and 1:1 for semi-compatibility, which can be confirmed by the X2 test. The ‘Fred Hough’ (S5S19) × ‘Monalisa’ (S2S10) cross proved to be fully compatible; and two triploids were identified among the hybrids as well. The ‘M-11/00’ (S3S19) × ‘M-13/91’ (S3S5) cross was characterized as semi-compatible based on DNA markers, and the segregation of the S-alleles in the hybrids was 1:1, as expected. The segregation of the DNA markers occurred together with their respective S-alleles: S2, S3, S5, S10, and S19. Thus, characterization of the S-alleles not only allowed identification of compatibility between parents but also identified contaminations in segregating populations.

ABSTRACT Apple orchards require the presence of a different genotype to pollinate the fruit producing cultivar. This is due to the process of gametophytic self-incompatibility present in most species and cultivars of the genus Malus. The fruit producing cultivar and the pollinizer must be genetically compatible to ensure fruit set and symmetrical and adequate fruit formation. The aim of this work was to evaluate five potential pollinizers for the new apple cultivar SCS426 Venice by genotyping the self-incompatibility locus (S-locus) and by controlled pollination in the field. The S-locus was screened using molecular markers and the fertilization capacity was evaluated by monitoring the fruit set after artificial pollination. Three genotypes were identified as semi-compatible (selection 135/140, cultivar SCS433 Felix 3 and SCS425 Luiza) and two as fully compatible (‘SCS431 Felix 1’ and ‘SCS434 Felix 4’) with ‘SCS426 Venice’. Regardless of the level of compatibility, all genotypes tested are efficient for the fertilization of ‘SCS426 Venice’ flowers and can be used as pollinizers in commercial orchards of this cultivar.

Abstract SCS426 Venice was developed by hybridization between Epagri 404-Imperatriz (♀) and Epagri 406-Baronesa (♂), performed at the Epagri Experimental Station in Caçador, SC, Brazil, in 2001. It requires less winter chilling than ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ traditional clones, whose fruit is picked in March. It is resistant to glomerella leaf spot.

Abstract The E’AppleBP is the largest Brazilian apple breeding program in activity in Brazil, with Brazilian and international contributions to breeding of apple cultivars, under public funding. The main objectives are development of new apple cultivars with good local climate adaptation, disease resistance, high yield, high fruit quality, good fruit storability and lower demand for orchard hand labor. Twenty-seven apple cultivars have been released, including 15 from local breeding crosses and four sport mutations. ‘Fuji Suprema’, ‘Monalisa’, ‘Venice’, ‘Daiane’, ‘Luiza’, and ‘Kinkas’ are most promising for commercial use. The other eight cultivars were released for use as pollinizers.

Resumo A maçã é um dos principais produtos do agronegócio da fruticultura temperada do Sul do Brasil. Mais de 90% da produção são originadas com o cultivo de apenas duas cultivares – Gala e Fuji, e seus mutantes. Essas cultivares são pouco adaptadas ao clima regional, sendo as do grupo ‘Gala’ também suscetíveis à doença mancha foliar de glomerella - MFG, atualmente a principal doença da macieira no Brasil. A ‘SCS425 Luiza’ foi desenvolvida pela Epagri / Estação Experimental de Caçador, buscando disponibilizar à cadeia produtiva mais uma cultivar de macieira precoce, mais bem adaptada aos ambientes de cultivo sul-brasileiros e resistente à MFG. Foi obtida via hibridação artificial, realizada em 2001, tendo como parentais as cultivares Imperatriz e Cripps Pink. A ‘SCS425 Luiza’ apresenta menor requerimento em frio hibernal que a ‘Galaxy’, tem maior precocidade em iniciar a floração e possui produção ao menos similar à da ‘Galaxy’. Produz frutos com qualidade visual, sabor e textura de polpa adequados para o mercado brasileiro e com capacidade de conservação similar à ‘Galaxy’ quando colhida no mesmo estágio de maturação.

Abstract Apple is one of the main agribusiness products of temperate-zone fruits in Southern Brazil. More than 90% of apple production is obtained from only two apple cultivars – Gala and Fuji and their mutations. These apple varieties are insufficiently adapted to the regional climate and ‘Gala’ and its mutations are also susceptible to glomerella leaf spot – GLS, currently the main apple disease in Brazil. ‘SCS425 Luiza’ cultivar was developed by Epagri / Estação Experimental Caçador, aiming to offer to the production chain an early apple variety better adapted to the environmental conditions of Southern Brazil and resistant to GLS. ‘SCS425 Luiza’ cultivar was obtained by artificial hybridization carried out in 2001 using the cultivars Imperatriz and Cripps Pink as parents. ‘SCS425 Luiza’ has lower chilling requirement compared to ‘Galaxy’, higher flowering precocity and yield potential at least equivalent to ‘Galaxy’. It produces fruits with skin finish, flavor and flesh texture adequate for the Brazilian market and storability similar to ‘Galaxy’ apples when harvested at the same maturity.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar porta-enxertos com potencial agronômico competitivo para substituir os tradicionalmente usados no Sul do Brasil para as cultivares-copa de macieira Galaxy e Fuji Suprema cultivadas em solo de replantio. O experimento foi conduzido em Lebon Regis, no Estado de Santa Catarina, nas safras de 2009/2010 a 2014/2015, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Avaliou-se o desempenho agronômico das copas 'Galaxy' e 'Fuji Suprema', enxertadas sobre G.056, G.202, G.213, G.814, G.896, G.969, M.9 e Marubakaido/M.9. G.896 e G.814 se destacaram pelas produções de frutos anual e acumulada superiores, bem como pela maior regularidade produtiva, embora tenham apresentado menor capacidade ananizante sobre a copa. As maiores massas médias de frutos de 'Galaxy' foram obtidas sobre G.056 e G.213. Para 'Fuji Suprema', G.969 proporcionou frutos menores, enquanto os demais porta-enxertos não diferiram entre si. Todos os porta-enxertos avaliados rebrotaram menos que Marubakaido/M.9 e produziram menos “burrknots” que M.9 e Marubakaido/M.9. No geral, nas condições de solo de replantio, G.202 mostra ser promissor entre os porta-enxertos ananizantes, principalmente para 'Fuji Suprema'. Destacam-se também G.056, G.814 e G.896, sendo os dois primeiros mais específicos para 'Fuji Suprema'.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify rootstocks with competitive agronomic potential to substitute those currently used in Southern Brazil for the Galaxy and Fuji Suprema apple scion cultivars cultivated on replanting soils. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Lebon Regis, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, from the 2009/2010 to the 2014/2015 crop season, in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. The yield performance of the 'Galaxy' and 'Fuji Suprema' scions grafted on the G.056, G.202, G.213, G.814, G.896, G.969, M.9, and Marubakaido/M.9 rootstocks was evaluated. G.896 and G.814 stood out due to their superior annual and cumulative fruit yields, as well as to their greater yield regularity, although they showed lower ability of dwarfing the scion. The greatest average fruit weight of 'Galaxy' was obtained on G.056 and G.213. For 'Fuji Suprema', G.969 promoted smaller fruits, whereas the other rootstocks did not differ. All the evaluated rootstocks produced less suckers than Marubakaido/M.9 and less burrknots than M.9 and Marubakaido/M.9. In general, on replanting soil conditions, G.202 is promising among dwarfing rootstocks, mainly for 'Fuji Suprema'. G.056, G.814, and G.896 also stand out, and the two first are more specific for 'Fuji Suprema'.

Abstract Among the cultivation problems of apple production in Brazil, Apple Leaf Spot (ALS) disease represents one of the main breeding challenges. This study aims at analyzing the genetic diversity among 152 apple scion accessions available at the Apple Gene Bank of EPAGRI, located in Caçador, Santa Catarina/Brazil. Eleven genomic SSR loci were analyzed to assess genetic diversity of ALS resistant and susceptible accessions. Results revealed high genetic diversity of the studied accessions, being 120 exclusive alleles (67 unique) from scion accessions resistant to ALS, and a mean PIC of 0.823. The locus Probability of Identity (I) ranged from 0.017 to 0.089. The combined I was 4.11 x 10-16, and the Power of Exclusion was 99.99999259%. In addition, the DNA fingerprint patterns will contribute as additional descriptors to select parental for crosses and early identification of apple accessions for breeding purposes, and also for cultivar protection.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Geneva(r) apple rootstocks for 'Gala'. The experiment was set in a complete randomized block design with four replications of tree plants per plot. It was used ten Geneva(r) rootstocks and M.9EMLA and M.7EMLA as controls. It was evaluated plant vigor, annual yield, cumulative yield, cumulative yield efficiency and fruit weight. For 'Gala' vigor control, G.10 and G.757 were more efficient than M.9EMLA; CG.2022 was equivalent and the other rootstocks were less efficient. 'G.24', 'G.969', 'G.30' and 'G.210' presented vigor equivalent to 'M.7EMLA'. 'G.896' was the most vigorous. Among dwarfing rootstocks, G.213 and G.757 were the most efficient on cumulative yield, the last showing the highest cumulative yield efficiency. Among semi-dwarfing, G.210 showed the highest cumulative yield and the highest cumulative yield efficiency. 'G.896' induced higher cumulative yield than 'M.7EMLA'. The greatest 'Gala' fruit weight was on 'G.213' and 'CG.2022'.

RESUMOEste estudo teve como objetivo verificar o desempenho agronômico de porta-enxertos de macieira da série Geneva® sobre o controle do vigor, a produção anual e acumulada, a eficiência produtiva e a massa fresca média de frutos das cultivares Gala e Fuji, em relação aos porta-enxertos tradicionalmente usados no meio-oeste de Santa Catarina, M.9 e MM.111. Os porta-enxertos da série Geneva® foram mais eficientes no controle do vigor e na eficiência produtiva da ‘Gala’ e da ‘Fuji’ que o MM.111. Todos induziram maior produção acumulada que o M.9, com maior destaque ao ‘G.213’ e ao ‘G.210’ para as duas cultivares; e ao ‘G.202’ para a ‘Fuji’. Em eficiência produtiva, todos foram superiores ao ‘MM.111’. O ‘G.213’ e o ‘CG.22’ foram mais eficientes que o ‘M.9’ para a ‘Gala’. Para a ‘Fuji’, todos foram mais eficientes que o ‘M.9’, com exceção do ‘CG.22’. Considerando todas as características avaliadas, os porta-enxertos G.213 (ananizante) e G.210 (semiananizante) são as opções mais promissoras de novos porta-enxertos para ambas as cultivares de macieira avaliadas. O G.202 também se mostrou promissor para a ‘Fuji’.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of some Geneva® apple rootstocks on plant vigor control, annual yield and cumulative yield, cumulative yield efficiency and fruit weight of ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ scions compared to the traditional apple rootstocks ‘M.9’ e ‘MM.111’, used in Brazil. All the Geneva® apple rootstocks were more efficient than MM.111 on vigor control and cumulative yield efficiency of ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ in the Middle West of the state of Santa Catarina. All of them induced higher cumulative yield than the ‘M.9’, mainly for the ‘G.213’ and the ‘G.210’ for both varieties, and the ‘G.202’ for ‘Fuji’. All the Geneva® rootstocks had more cumulative yield efficiency than ‘MM.111’. The ‘G.213’ and ‘CG.22’ were more efficient than ‘M.9’ for ‘Gala’. For ‘Fuji’, all Geneva® rootstocks were more efficient than ‘M.9’, except for ‘CG.22’. Considering all characteristics evaluated, G.213 (dwarfing) and G.210 (semidwarfing) were the most promising rootstocks for both scion varieties. The rootstock G.202 was very promising to ‘Fuji’ as well.

Woolly apple aphid (WAA; Eriosoma lanigerum Hausm.) is a major insect pest that has significant economic impact on apple growers worldwide. Modern breeding technologies rely on several molecular tools to help breeders select genetic determinants for traits of interest. Consequently, there is a need for specific markers linked to the genes of interest. Apple scions and rootstocks have an additional barrier to the introduction of pest resistance genes due to the presence of self-incompatibility S-RNase alleles. The genetic characterization and early identification of these alleles can amplify the contribution of a breeding program to the selection of resistant genitors that are as compatible as possible. In this study, we identified the Er1 gene involved in the resistance to WAA in Malus prunifolia var. ringo, also known as ‘Maruba Kaido’ rootstock, and we analyzed the inheritance pattern of the WAA resistance Er1 gene in a segregant population derived from Malus pumila ‘M.9’ and ‘Maruba Kaido’ rootstocks. The self-incompatibility of S-RNase alleles S6S26 of ‘Maruba Kaido’ were also identified along with their inheritance pattern. We also confirmed the identification of the S1S3 alleles in the ‘M.9’ rootstock. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize WAA resistance and RNase S-alleles in ‘Maruba Kaido’. Furthermore, we discuss the potential use of the genetic markers for these genes and their potential impact on apple breeding programs.

A garantia de boas produções em pomares comerciais de macieira depende de uma polinização eficiente, que também está relacionada com a compatibilidade de pólen-estigma, com a coincidência de época de floração e com a capacidade de produção e de germinação de pólen. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência de diferentes genótipos de macieira como polinizadores da cv. Daiane nas condições climáticas do meio-oeste de Santa Catarina. Plantas de 'Daiane' foram polinizadas a campo com pólen de diversas seleções e cultivares de macieira, com subsequente proteção dos cachos com sacos de papel, por 72 h. Consideraram-se a coincidência de época de floração, a adaptação climática, a taxa de germinação, a reação à mancha foliar de Glomerella, além da frutificação efetiva e do número de sementes por fruto induzido pelas polinizadoras avaliadas. Os tratamentos mais eficientes na polinização da cultivar de macieira Daiane foram as seleções 140/76 e 140/228, respectivamente, que são indicadas para utilização conjugada, visando à maior eficiência na polinização.

Ensuring good production in apple orchards depends on efficient pollination, which is directly related to pollen-stigma compatibility, blooming time coincidence, high production and good germination capacity of pollen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of different apple genotypes as pollinizers of 'Daiane' cv. at the climate of Middle-west of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Apple trees of 'Daiane' cv. were pollinated in the field with several apple selections from the Apple Breeding Program of Epagri - Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina. Right after pollination, the flowering clusters were protected with paper bags for 72h hours. It were considered the coincidence on blooming time, the climatic adaptation of the trees, the percentage of germination, the reaction to Gala Leaf Spot disease, as well as the fruit set and the number of seed per fruit induced by the pollinizers of this study. It was observed that the best pollinizers for 'Daiane' apple trees were the selections 140/76 and 140/228, respectively. Both selections are indicated to be used combined as pollinizers of 'Daiane'.

A composição química de sucos de maçã pode ser usada para diferenciar as variedades de mesa das industriais. Fuji e Gala têm características químicas que podem ser usadas para esta classificação. Métodos multivariados relacionam descritores químicos com a categoria da variedade de maçã. Três principais descritores do suco de maçã foram selecionados: ácido málico, açúcar redutor total e compostos fenólicos. Uma abordagem quimiométrica, empregando PCA e SIMCA, foi usada para classificar amostras de sucos de maçã. PCA foi realizado com 24 amostras de suco de Fuji e Gala, e SIMCA, com 15 sucos. Os modelos exploratórios e preditivos reconheceram 88% e 64%, respectivamente, como pertencentes a um domínio misto. Os sucos de maçã de frutas comerciais mostraram um padrão com as cultivares Fuji e Gala com limites de 0,18 a 0,389 g.100 mL-1 (ácido málico), de 8,65 a 15,18 g.100 mL-1 (açúcar redutor total) e de 100 a 400 mg.L-1 (compostos fenólicos), mas tais limites foram levemente menores no conjunto restante de sucos de maçãs comerciais, especificamente de 0,16 a 0,36 g.100 mL-1, 9,25 a 15,5 g.mL-1 e 180 a 606 mg.L-1 para acidez, açúcar redutor total e compostos fenólicos, respectivamente, representando os sabores ácido, doce e amargo.

The chemical composition of apple juices may be used to discriminate between the varieties for consumption and those for raw material. Fuji and Gala have a chemical pattern that can be used for this classification. Multivariate methods correlate independent continuous chemical descriptors with the categorical apple variety. Three main descriptors of apple juice were selected: malic acid, total reducing sugar and total phenolic compounds. A chemometric approach, employing PCA and SIMCA, was used to classify apple juice samples. PCA was performed with 24 juices from Fuji and Gala, and SIMCA, with 15 juices. The exploratory and predictive models recognized 88% and 64%, respectively, as belonging to a mixed domain. The apple juice from commercial fruits shows a pattern related to cv. Fuji and Gala with boundaries from 0.18 to 0.389 g.100 mL-1 (malic acid), from 8.65 to 15.18 g.100 mL-1 (total reducing sugar) and from 100 to 400 mg.L-1 (total phenolic compounds), but such boundaries were slightly shorter in the remaining set of commercial apple juices, specifically from 0.16 to 0.36 g.100 mL-1, from 9.25 to 15.5 g.100 mL-1 and from 180 to 606 mg.L-1 for acidity, reducing sugar and phenolic compounds, respectively, representing the acid, sweet and bitter tastes.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o número de anteras por flor, grãos de pólen por antera e capacidade germinativa do pólen de diferentes cultivares de macieiras. O trabalho foi executado no Laboratório de Fisiologia do Desenvolvimento e Genética Vegetal da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, e as coletas a campo foram realizadas na Epagri/Estação Experimental de Caçador-SC, em outubro de 2005. Foram utilizadas as seguintes cultivares comerciais de macieira desenvolvidas no Brasil: Primícia, Princesa, Fred Hough, Catarina, Baronesa, Lisgala, Suprema, Condessa, Daiane, Duquesa, Imperatriz e Joaquina. As cultivares de macieira Condessa, Princesa, Eva, Duquesa, Imperatriz, Gala, Fred Hough, Daiane, Baronesa e Suprema produzem pólen em quantidade suficiente e com boa capacidade germinativa. A cv. Condessa, embora apresente alta capacidade germinativa de pólen, produz menos anteras e grãos de pólen por antera que as demais. A cv. Princesa é a que apresenta o melhor perfil como polinizadora, por conjugar número de anteras/flor, número de grãos de pólen/antera e capacidade germinativa do pólen mais satisfatórios.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the number of anthers per flower, the number of pollen grains per anther and the pollen germination capacity of different cultivars of apple trees. The study was performed at the Physiology and Plant Genetics Laboratory of Federal University of Santa Catarina. The field collecting were performed at Epagri / Caçador Experimental Station, in Santa Catarina State during October, 2005. It was used the following apple cultivars developed in Brazil: Primícia, Princesa, Fred Hough, Catarina, Baronesa, Lisgala, Suprema, Condessa, Daiane, Duquesa, Imperatriz and Joaquina. It was concluded that the apple cultivars Condessa, Princesa, Eva, Duquesa, Imperatriz, Gala, Fred Hough, Daiane, Baronesa and Suprema produce pollen grains of satisfactory quantity and of good germination capacity. The cv. Condessa, although having high pollen germination capacity, produces less anthers and less pollen grains per anther than the others. Princesa is the cultivar of best pattern as pollinizer, once it combines number of anthers/flower, number of pollen grains/anther and pollen germination capacity in a better satisfactory level.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento do tubo polínico em cruzamentos entre cultivares brasileiras de macieira. Realizou-se a polinização dirigida entre cultivares com mesma época de floração (34 cruzamentos). As polinizações foram realizadas em três estigmas de cada uma das dez flores emasculadas por cruzamento. O crescimento dos tubos polínicos foi avaliado por meio da técnica da fluorescência, em flores coletadas 120 horas após a polinização. Na grande maioria das polinizações cruzadas, houve alta percentagem de tubos polínicos que cresceram até o ovário. O acompanhamento do crescimento do tubo polínico pela técnica de fluorescência permite separar cruzamentos compatíveis ou parcialmente compatíveis dos incompatíveis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate pollen tube growth in crosses between Brazilian apple cultivars. Artificial pollination was carried out among cultivars that bloom at the same time (34 crosses). Pollination was done on three stigmas in each of the ten emasculated flowers per crossing. Fluorescence was used to visualize pollen tube growth in flowers collected 120 hours after pollination. In most of the cross-pollinations, high percentage of pollen tubes reached the ovary. The visualization of pollen tube growth by the fluorescence technique permitted the separation of compatible or partial compatible crosses from the incompatible ones.