The effects of fosetyl-Al application on morphology and viability of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. pollen

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of fungicide Aliette WG 800 [80% fosetyl-Al (aluminium tris-o-ethyl phosphonate)], widely used against <I>Phytophtora infestans</I> on tomatoes grown in greenhouse in Turkey, were studied on the morphology and viability of tomato (<I>Lycopersicon esculentum</I> Mill.) pollens. The fungicide was applied to tomatoes grown in greenhouse at recommended dosage (200 g/100 l water) and at double the recommended dosage (400 g/100 l water). The fungicide caused changes in the morphological structures of tomato pollens. Some pollen morphological structures that are not observed in the control group were encountered in the pollens in equatorial view and in polar view at 200 g/100 l treated groups. On the other hand, pollen viability level decreased as the dosage increased. Especially, non-viable pollen types such as wrinkled pollen or pollen with abnormal shape were encountered in the fungicide groups. It was expected that the pollen fertility as well as yield would decrease in future.