-

To study the flowering time and period, as well as the self- and cross-compatibility, some Asian pear cultivars, namely KS6, KS8, KS9, KS11, KS13 and KS14, were employed. Two branches on each of four trees in each cultivar were selected for controlled pollination. To prevent either undesired pollen contamination or pollination by insects, selected shoots were protected using cotton tissue bags. For controlled cross- pollination, flowers were emasculated and protected before anthesis, hand pollination being carried out two days after anthesis. In order to monitor pollen tube growth in the style, samples were taken 44, 72 and 96 hours after pollination, and fixed in FAA solution. The percentages of initial and final fruit set after self- and cross-pollination were recorded and monitored 15, 35 and 75 days after full bloom (DAFB). A study of flowering time showed that there were some differences in the flowering period and time of bloom in the studied cultivars, the best coincidence being observed between KS11 and KS13. Microscopic examination of pollen tube growth showed that pollen grains were alive after pollination and the pollen tube grew within the style following germination. Results from self pollinated trees (75 DAFB) indicated that KS9 had the lowest fruit set, with 2.92%, while the other cultivars KS13, KS6, KS8, KS14, and KS11 showed 4.16, 5.44, 7.03, 10.33, and 14.65% fruit set respectively. In addition, results from cross- pollination revealed that the highest fruit set (34.34%) was obtained from cross-pollination of KS11 (seed parent = ?) with KS8 (pollen parent = ?) while KS13 (?) pollinated with KS8 (?) ended up with the lowest fruit set (4.15%).