Determination of the self-fertilization potency of 'Golden Delicious' apple

'Golden Delicious' is one of the main apple cultivars in the world. Apple is a member of the Rosaceae family that harbours the gametophytic self-incompatible fertilization system. The potency of self-incompatibility may vary, depending on the level of rejection of the self-fertilization. Defining the level of self-pollen rejection has great horticulture importance since low potency of self-fertilization or total self-pollen rejection result in yield reduction. 'Golden Delicious' is considered self-compatible. In this study the potency of the self-fertilization ability of 'Golden Delicious' was determined. By implementing PCR-S-allele analysis, self and non-self-fertilization cases were distinguished and accurate self-fertilization levels were identified. From the results, it is apparent that 'Golden Delicious' has a very low potency of self-fertilization.