ISHS Acta Horticulturae 587: International Symposium on Asian Pears, Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Nijisseiki Pear
EFFECT OF STRAW MULCHING ON LEAF PHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES, SIZE AND GROWTH CURVES OF PEAR FRUIT IN AN ARID DESERT AREA |
| Authors: | Z. Chang-Zeng, L. Lu, C. Bai-Hong, P. Cun-Zhi |
| Keywords: | Pear, Pyrus bretschneideri, mulching, Water relationships chlorophyll content, leaf fresh weight, photosynthetic rate, fruit quality |
| Abstract:
Straw mulching was investigated as a method of improving economies of water use and pear fruit quality in an arid desert region. Several physiological indices of leaves and shoots, as well as the size and growth curves of fruits in ‘Pingguoli’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) were determined between 1996 and 1998. The results showed that after straw mulching water content was increased by 1.28% to 2.07% in leaves and 0.87% to1.33% in vegetative shoots. Water potential was increased by the mulching from 0.31 MPa to 0.42 MPa and 0.26 MPa to 0.35 MPa in leaves and vegetative shoots, respectively. Leaf fresh weight per dm2 increased by 5.9%. Photosynthetic area enlarged and the synthesis of chlorophyll increased accordingly. Chlorophyll content increased by 19.4% and resulted in an elevated rate of photosynthesis of 18.1%. This laid a physiological foundation to improve fruit growth and development. The average increases in fruit length and width per day were 0.07 mm and 0.058 mm respectively and individual fruit weight increased by 17 to 24 grams. The fruit size subsequently increased under conditions where the number of fruit per tree did not exceed 12% of that without straw mulching. Analysis of the growth curves of fruit width and length showed that the rapid growth period of the fruit lengths with straw mulching was longer than that when no straw mulching was applied. | |
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