Pollen ultrastructure characterization in Californian and Australian almond cultivars

Abstract

Pollen morphology can be used for distinguishing species and cultivars of tree fruit species including almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb]. In this study, pollen morphology and ultrastructure of several Californian and Australian almond cultivars has been studied using electron microscopy. Results indicated the efficient use of this trait in the identification of almond cultivars. Several morphological parameters including shape, size and exine characteristics, obtained from an examination of electron micrographs can be used to distinguish pollen from the different almond cultivars, to trace the origins of pollen by honeybees in commercial orchards, and to study gene flow by pollen analysis.