Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ranging from 40-45% in 550 mmol CO
2
/mol treatments and from 45-50%
in 700 mmol CO
2
/mol treatments. During middle of ripening season, ris-
ing CO
2
levels up to a maximum increases tartaric acid (8%) and total
sugars (14%) contents. However, when the grapes reached the maturity
stage, the CO
2
effect on both quality parameters almost completely disap-
peared. Kimball et al. (2007) reported that sour orange (
Citrus aurantium
)
plants grown for 17 years in elevated CO
2
(300 ppm above ambient), re-
spond by increasing fruit production by 70% instead of acclimation. It also
increased biomass accumulation (70% extra) due to higher wood growth.
Altered carbon availability to mango fruit affected both dry mass and
water mass of peel, pulp and stone (Léchaudel et al., 2002). Changing car-
bon availability to mango fruit influenced both the dry mass and the water
mass of its three main compartments: skin, pulp and stone (Léchaudel et
al., 2002). Since dry matter accumulation is affected by the availability
of assimilate supply, changes in its structural component, including cell
walls, and its nonstructural one, consisting of soluble sugars, acids, min-
erals and starch, have been investigated according to their sensitivities to
leaf-to-fruit ratio treatments. The influence of dilution during fruit growth
on quality traits such as flesh taste or shelf life has been considered by ex-
pressing concentrations of the main biochemical and mineral compounds
per unit of fresh mass (Léchaudel et al., 2005).
16.2.3 RAINFALL
Global warming has affected ocean wind current intensity and directions.
Slowly and steadily annual rainfall is moving towards deficit with erratic
monthly trends. Distribution of rainfall is disturbed and more rains are
received in July-August and sometimes extending in to September-Octo-
ber. It disturbs entire crop cycle in the year. Higher rains/cloud bursts are
causing floods in some parts and in other parts deficit rains are causing
drought. There is also a shift in rainfall pattern.
Due to change in climate and its impact on both occurrence and distri-
bution pattern of rainfall has deterring effect on fruit quality especially at
growth and developmental stages. Onset of unusual rains during flowering
of mango caused negative effects and higher incidence of diseases and
pests. The occurrence of anthracnose and powdery mildew pathogens has
been reported to infect fruits quiescently at this stage and become visible
