Pollination Studies in Hass Avocado in Relation to the Small Fruit Problem

This season's results of semi-in vivo pollination experiments confirm findings of last year that Ettinger is an excellent pollen donor for Hass and Ettinger pollen outperformed Hass pollen on Hass pistils. Fresh Ettinger pollen still germinated on Hass stigmas aged for 24 hours, but pollen tubes did not reach the ovary. Aged Ettinger pollen performed poorly compared to fresh pollen. Caged Hass + Ettinger trees with bees gave higher fruit retention than caged Hass + Hass trees with bees. The above-mentioned results confirm findings by different authors that avocado is a natural out breeder and pollen donors should be provided for assuring better fruit set and fruit retention.