Efecto del boro sobre el polen in vitro y cuajado del fruto de Persea americana Mill cv. Fuerte en Guachapala - Azuay

Abstract

The low percentage of fruit set in avocado species is a common problem and is related to the nutrition of the plant in microelements such as boron. Although boron has been shown to improve pollen grain germination, pollen tube growth, and fruit set in avocado in Ecuador, little information is available on the optimal concentration for successful fruit set. This study evaluated different concentrations of boron in the germination and growth of the in vitro pollen tube and the fruit set of avocado trees of cv. Strong. Two phases were used: one in the laboratory and the other in the field. The experimental unit in the laboratory consisted of Petri dishes seeded with 20 ml of culture medium in which the percentage of germination and pollen tube length were measured. The experimental unit in the field was composed of inflorescences in which the number of set fruits was measured. In addition, the calculation of variable costs for each treatment was performed. The results showed that the application of 60 ppm L-1 of boron was significant, both in the germination of pollen grains and in the fruit set of avocado. However, there were no significant differences in pollen tube lengths. This study provides important information on the optimal boron concentration for avocado fruit set in the study area.