Study on Interspecific Hybridization among the Subgenera Amygdalus, Prunophora, and Cerasus

Abstract

Interspecific crossing among the subgenera Amygdalus (Prunus persica, P. mira, P. dulcis, P. ferganensis, P. kansuensis, P. davidiana), Prunophora (P. salicina, P. cerasifera, P. mume, P. armeniaca), and Cerasus (P. tomentosa, P. japonica) was performed to determine their cross-compatibilities. In the combinations of species belonging to the subgenus Amygdalus, high fruit set averages were demonstrated, excluding the results when P. kansuensis was used as a seed parent. The pollination of species belonging to Prunophora and Cerasus by those of Amygdalus resulted in very few seeds. In contrast, fruit sets of Prunuphora species pollinated by Amygdalus fluctuated by cross combinations. P. cerasifera and P. salicina, when used as seed parents, bore a few seeds, but P. armeniaca and P. mume bore no seeds when pollinated by Amygdalus species. The cross using P. tomentosa as a seed or pollen parent resulted in very few fruit sets. On the other hand, several seeds were obtained from the cross between P. cerasifera and P. japonica. The pollination of P. japonica by P. cerasifera, P. dulcis, and P. mume also led to a relatively high rate of fruit sets.