ISHS Acta Horticulturae 367: VI International Symposium on Pear Growing
INFLUENCE OF TREE WATER STATUS AND CANOPY POSITION ON FRUIT SIZE AND QUALITY OF BARTLETT PEARS |
| Authors: | D.E. Ramos, S.A. Weinbaum, K.A. Shackel, L.J. Schwankl, E.J. Mitcham, F.G. Mitchell, R.G. Snyder, G. Mayer, G. McGourty |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1994.367.24 |
| Abstract:
The effects of variable irrigation rates (100%, 85% and 65% of ET) and high fertilizer N application rate (450 kg N/ha vs. 0) on fruit size, quality and storage potential were compared in a ‘Bartlett’ pear orchard (3.5 x 6 m) planted in 1959 in Ukiah, CA. The relationship between position in the tree canopy and fruit size, maturity and quality also was studied. Irrigation treatments did not substantially influence tree water status as measured by midday stem water potential and also did not influence fruit yield or size in the first year of the study. There was, however, a clear correlation between tree water status and fruit size. Leaf N concentration in July was nearly the same for fertilized and unfertilized trees, but by late August, after harvest, the difference was highly significant. Both fruit size and green color decreased with greater water stress, whereas soluble solids (SS) and titratable acidity (TA) increased. With increasing shade as measured by Specific Leaf Weight (SLW, leaf dry weight per unit leaf area), fruit were smaller and greener with lower SS and higher TA. Fruit firmness was not influenced by water status or canopy position. | |
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