Morphological structure of the stigma and style of several genotypes of Prunus armeniaca L.

The morphology of the stigmatic surface and style of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is described, in order to extend current knowledge of stylar and stigmatic structures. Eight apricot cultivars of different geographical origin and characterised by a different self-compatibility behaviour were analysed. Whole pistils were removed from flowers at different phenological stages. Analyses were performed on frozen-hydrated specimens by Low-Temperature SEM. Morphological observations were conducted on: stigma (shape, size and presence of exudate), stigmatic papillae (shape, size, density and distribution) and style (inner structures). A comparative study of thr different apricot cultivars showed several morphological differences related to the genotype.