ISHS Acta Horticulturae 275: International Symposium on the Culture of Subtropical and Tropical Fruits and Crops
MORPHOGENESIS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE BUD AND FRUIT OF THE PRICKLY PEAR (OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA (L.) MILL CV MORADO) |
| Authors: | A.B. Wessels, E. Swart |
| Abstract:
The morphological development of the reproductive bud and fruit of O. ficus-indica 'Morado' was studied over a period of two seasons. Reproductive buds appeared over a period of three to five weeks. Visual differentiation occurred when the equatorial diameter of the bud reached ± 4,0 mm. Reproductive buds which differentiated during week one developed over a longer period of time but flowering and ripening of fruit occurred almost simultaneously with those which differentiated during week five. Buds developed over a period of nine weeks to full bloom and fruit reached maturity from 21 weeks after visual differentiation. Fruit size at maturity was correlated to the time of reproductive bud differentiation. Early differentiated buds produced larger fruit. Measuring equatorial transversal diameter and length of the reproductive organ (taking into consideration the evagination of the receptacle after petal shedding) a single sigmoidal growth pattern was observed from differentiation to full bloom. A further single sigmoidal growth pattern was obtained from full bloom to maturity thus giving a double sigmoidal growth pattern for reproductive bud and fruit development. | |
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