ISHS Acta Horticulturae 175: Symposium on Physiology of Productivity of Subtropical and Tropical Tree Fruits
PRODUCTIVITY OF CUSTARD APPLE (ANNONA ATEMOYA HORT.): FACTORS AFFECTING YIELD AND FRUIT SIZE |
| Authors: | A.P. George, R.J. Nissen, H.L. Ko |
| Abstract:
Correlation and regression analyses were used in initial studies to determine the more important factors affecting yield and fruit size of the custard apple. Relationships between yield, fruit size and morphological parameters on a whole tree and individual limb basis were examined. Indices of fruitfulness or yield efficiency were also examined. The results indicated positive linear relations between tree yield and tree girth, butt cross-sectional areas, canopy volumes and lateral numbers while fruit weight was negatively related to fruit number per tree (r = -0.69). Varieties differed significantly in mean yield per butt cross-sectional areas, but differences recorded between vigorous and dwarfing rootstock lines were non-significant. However, within a seedling rootstock line yield per butt cross section area varied considerably. On a limb basis, mean fruit size and pulp/seed ratio were weakly related to the leaf area per fruit. The primary determinant of fruit size, however, appears to be the level of pollination affecting seed numbers per fruit. Highly significant linear relations were found between fruit size and seed number per fruit (r = 0.94). Significant differences which exist in flesh/seed ratios produced by cultivars suggests that the potential growth rate of the fruit is endogenously controlled. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
