Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] osbeck) is considered to be self-pollinated. Nevertheless, in the presence of efficient pollinators, crossing has been demonstrated to increase fruit setting, as well as with the occurrence of good inter specific hybrids and absence of intra specific ones. As cross breeding programs for sweet oranges depend on more detailed studies, the mating system of 34 representative varieties from this species was evaluated at the Citrus germplam collection of the "Centro de Citricultura Sylvio Moreira/ Instituto Agronômico", Cordeirópolis, SP. Brazil. Sixty eight % of the varieties studied set fruits under free pollination, 15% under self-pollination, and 35% and 15% by cross-pollination with Minneola and Troyer pollinators, respectively. Only one variety set fruits in emasculated flowers. It was observed that under free pollination, varieties with stigmas above anthers and with longer pistils set more fruits. This data indicate that the predominance of allogamy in these varieties, seems to be an important factor for fruit setting.
Citrus sinensis [L.] osbeck; plant breeding; mating system; reproductive system