Investigation of self compatibility and its level in some selected almond genotypes

Self-incompatibility is one of the most important difficulties in almond production which reduce fruit set drastically and makes orchard management difficult. Therefore, breeding of almond to produce self-compatible genotypes is very important. In this research, level of self compatibility in 50 selected genotypes of different crosses was studied using linked markers through PCR analysis and fruit set. Result showed that 31 genotypes had band with length of 450 bp which were identified as self-compatible genotypes. Study of fruit set after self pollination showed that 31 genotypes with fruit set more 5% identified as self-compatible. The most fruit set after self pollination observed in genotypes number 42, 45 and 24 to rate 26.94, 25.1 and 25 percentages, respectively. Comparing fruit set percentages after self pollination with open pollination showed that selfing reduced fruit set percentages but the decrease of the fruit set in some genotypes was very low. The result of investigation of fruit qualitative and quantitative characteristics showed, in total, very self compatible genotype number 24, was better than other genotypes. This genotype produced fruit, nut and kernel with medium size. Fruit, nut and kernel weight was 10.80, 3.98 and 1.41 g, respectively. Nut and kernel color of this genotype was bright and its kernel taste was sweet. The beginning of flowering in this genotype was later than other genotypes and fruit harvest dater was sooner than other genotypes. In total in this research, genotype number 24 identified as suitable genotype.