J. Tromp et J. Vanvuure, ACCUMULATION OF CALCIUM, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM IN APPLE FRUITS UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS OF HUMIDITY, Physiologia Plantarum, 89(1), 1993, pp. 149-156
In each of two experiments done under controlled conditions, starting
at bloom, 4 humidity treatments were applied to potted trees of apple
(Malus pumila Mill. cv. Cox's Orange Pippin), i.e. in experiment 1: (1
) high humidity throughout, (2) low humidity throughout, (3) low humid
ity for 7 weeks followed by high humidity for 6-7 weeks, and (4) the r
everse (first high and then low humidity); in experiment 2:(1) day/nig
ht humidity high/high, (2) low/low, (3) low/high, and (4) high/low. In
both experiments high humidity favoured shoot growth appreciably. Cha
nge from low to high humidity after 7 weeks resulted in some growth st
imulation but in the reverse situation growth was markedly reduced. Sh
oot growth responded little to different night humidities. In the two
experiments fruit growth was little affected by treatments. In experim
ent 2 irrespective of night humidity, water consumption was higher at
low than at high day humidity. In the high/low humidity regime water u
se during the night was high and leaf water potential low, relatively;
during the day water potential was little affected by treatments. At
any time leaf Ca and Mg were clearly highest at low day humidity; nigh
t humidity had no effect. Leaf K did not respond to treatments. Fruit
Ca at high humidity throughout was lower than at low humidity througho
ut. Increasing humidity later in the season was ineffective but a decr
ease at that time tended to reduce fruit Ca slightly. The clearly lowe
st Ca values occurred in the high/low day/night treatment. Fruit K and
Mg were not or hardly affected by treatments. The findings are discus
sed in terms of humidity effects on transpiration, shoot and fruit gro
wth, and xylem mineral concentration and ion exchange translocation al
ong the xylem walls.