ISHS Acta Horticulturae 321: Frontier in Tropical Fruit Research
FRUIT SET AND FRUIT GROWTH OF PURPLE PASSIONFRUIT AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE |
| Author: | N. Utsunomiya |
| Abstract:
The effect of temperature on fruit set and fruit growth of purple passionfruit was examined. When the plants were transferred to 20/15 and 30/25°C growth cabinet prior to anthesis, flowers opened earlier and the flowering period was shorter at high temperature. The fruit set became poor at 30/25°C. With microscopic observation, pollen growth was little different between two temperatures. At flowering time the ovary, having more ovules, was nearly uniform size at 20/15°C. The production of small ovary with less ovules is likely to increase at 30/25°C where ovary size varied greatly. Less ovules were found in the fruit just after setting at 30/25°C. High temperature may adversely affect the ovule formation or fertilization, resulting in less fruit set in purple passionfruit. The plants were kept at 20/15 and 30/25°C after pollination. Longer number of days were required for fruit maturation. Fruit weight was greater due to the increased peel weight at 20/15°C. Juice production was little affected by temperature. TSS and acids in the juice were higher at 20/15°C. Temperature influenced the ratio of sugar components in the juice. Much more sucrose accumulated at 20/15°C and the contents of glucose and fructose were higher at 30/25°C. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
