ISHS Acta Horticulturae 367: VI International Symposium on Pear Growing
RUSSET DEVELOPMENT IN THE ‘BEURRE BOSC’ PEAR |
| Authors: | G.F. Gil, D.A. Urquiza, J.A. Bofarull, G. Montenegro, J.P. Zoffoli |
| Keywords: | climate, cuticle, periderm, phellogen, wounding |
| Abstract:
Complete fruit russeting is a desirable characteristic of the pear cv. ‘Beurre Bosc’ but it is not always obtained. Russet development in two different climatic zones was compared. Fruit from the cooler and more humid zone produced more russet which covered the whole fruit, phellogen started to differentiate 15 days after full bloom (DAFB), the epidermal cells contained more tannins and the cuticle was thinner. At 40 DAFB the cuticle was replaced by a corky periderm and at 55 DAFB the process was completed and the phellogen activity ceased. The most important feature of the fruit from the warmer, dryer zone was the thick cuticle with greater quantity of epicuticular waxes. More russet developed in fruits enclosed 15 DAFB in a bag that retained moisture for 15 days or specially 30 days, but no effect was obtained by spraying water every two days for one, two, or three weeks. Wounding induced phellogen formation near the epidermis and also in the cortex and then russet development. The capacity and velocity of russet production in response to wounding was greatest during the first 25 DAFB and practically ended after 49 DAFB. Growth stress alone does not appear to be sufficient for russet development and additional injurious climatic stress seems necessary when the cuticle is thin and easily broken the first month after bloom. | |
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