Assessment of pollen morphology and hybridization in pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Pollen studies act as a prerequisite for choosing compatible pollen parent and help plant breeders to achieve successful crossing between different cultivars. An experiment was conducted during 2018–19 at Fruit Research Farm of Regional Horticulture Training Station Bajaura, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh evaluate 8 commercial genetically distant pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars (Chawla, Nabha, P-26, Kandhari Kabuli, G-137, Jodhpur Red, Mridula Bhagwa) morphology (shape size) viability. Hybridization were also carried out assess the role cross pollination in fruit set infuse blood red aril colour soft seededness selected The compatibility behaviour studied by using combinations followed recording their percentage. It could understand performance pollinizers which would ultimately them hybridization programs. viability germplasm determined 2% acetocarmine. Highest recorded Bhagwa (94.29%) Chawla (91.21%). In studies, highest per cent among 16 crosses observed × P-26 (77.80%). differences percentage be due varied degree genotypes, with respect percentage, growth rate tube might temperature bloom period.