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Project

Knowledge of the pollination process in pear to improve fruit set, yield and fruit quality

The goal of this research is to improve the fruit set, yield stability and the fruit quality by hetter knowledge and by optimizing the pollination process. This optimization will be accomplished by acting on two domains.

Firstly, this will be done by diversifying the pollinator community: providing nesting and nectar sources, the introduction of bumblebees and honeybees and increasing the attractiveness of the nectar through yeast. Also the possibility to breed for improved pollen gathering of honeybees will be investigated.

Secondly, this will be done by research on suitable pollen donors, taking into account the disease sensitivity, compatibility, bloom overlap, position of flower buds, vigour, ploidy level, attractiveness for pollinator insects and effect on fruit quality. Further, the effects of the weather conditions will be examined, such as the temperature effects on the pollen tube growth. Also the pollen dispersal will be studied by paternity analysis since this is an important aspect in determining the spatial arrangement of pollen donors. In addition, there will be attempted to develop a method for harvesting and to improve the storage of pollen.

 

Date:1 Mar 2017 →  31 Oct 2022
Keywords:pollination, pear
Disciplines:Biochemistry and metabolism, Systems biology, Medical biochemistry and metabolism, Plant biology, Agricultural plant production, Horticultural production, General biology
Project type:PhD project