Pollen quality is important for growers and breeders. This study was carried out to determine in vitro pollen viability and pollen germination in seven genotypes of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.). Two pollen viability tests, TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride) and IKI (iodine potassium iodide), were used. Pollen traits of genotypes were studied using an in vitro medium containing 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% sucrose to determine the best sucrose concentrations for germination. In the second step, the germinated pollen was counted 1, 4, 6, 10, 12, 24, and 48 hours later until there was no further germination. The viability rates were different according to genotypes and tests used. The IKI and TTC staining tests and pollen germination had low correlation (r 2 = 0.0614 and r 2 = 0.0015, resp.). Painted pollen rate was higher and pollen was well-stained with IKI test and pollen viability estimated with TTC staining test was better than that estimated with the IKI staining test. 15% sucrose gave the best germination rates in most of the genotypes. Pollen germination rates were recorded periodically from one hour to 48 hours in 15% sucrose and the results showed that pollen germination rates increased after 6 hours of being placed in culture media.

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In this study, the rooting abilities of semi-hardwood cuttings from 8 Arbutus unedo L. (strawberry tree) types were evaluated. For this purpose, cuttings were taken at two different vegetation periods in July and November. The collected cuttings were treated with IBA (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 g/l) and placed into a misting system in July and bottom-heated system in November in the greenhouse. The rooting rate, survival rate and root quality were determined during the study. The cutting collection period significantly affected rooting ability, and according to the results obtained the best rooting performance was obtained with July cuttings except for types 1 and 8. There were differences among the A. unedo L. types in rooting ability; Type 4 had the highest rooting rate (87.01% in July and 70.71% in November) among the types studied. The percentage of rooted cuttings ranged from 0% to 100% for the control and IBA treatment for both periods and cuttings taken in November required higher concentrations of IBA for rooting than cuttings taken in July. The survival rate of cuttings varied according to type in the acclimatization stage, the best types being type 3 and type 4. July cuttings of all types obtained shoots in the rooting media.

We investigated the fertilization biology of naturally grown cherry laurels and showed the effect of pollinizers on fruit quality. This is the first study on the pollination biology of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.), conducted among three mothers and two pollenizer types employing in vivo open, self, and cross-pollination experiments. There was no difference in the pollen viability of different pollenizer types. The initial fruit set was monitored by counting fruits after 20, 40 and 60 days of the pollination (after flowers-small fruit drop, small fruit drop and June drop). The final fruit set was recorded in the second week of July at the beginning of the fruit ripening phenophase. The percentage of fruit set was calculated by comparing the number of developed fruits with pollinated flowers. In this study, the initial fruit set was very high but dropped severely in the next 40 days. The variations in the final fruit set were attributed to the pollen source effects. According to the results, genotype 16 was the best pollenizer for all mother genotypes. The fruit set increased with cross-pollination indicating that cherry laurel is selfincompatible. The pollen source significantly affected the fruit quality parameters.

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