Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
consequence of fruit reaching a respiratory climacteric, while net photosyn-
thesis declines (Wibbe
et al.
,
).
It is not correct to regard the dry matter going to fruit as a proportion
of an independently-controlled dry matter production. Net photosynthesis
by a fruiting apple tree canopy can be
times as high as that of a
corresponding de-fruited tree and dark respiration about
-
.
% higher, re-
sulting in a two-fold carbon gain of the fruiting compared with the non-
fruiting tree (Wibbe
et al.
,
). The rise in net photosynthesis may be
attributable to reduced photorespiration, to increased canopy conductance
and to feedback control of assimilation (Wibbe
et al.
,
; Giuliani
et al.
,
a,b).
The effects of temperature on fruit set and fruit growth, discussed in the
next chapter, are therefore major determinants of net photosynthesis per unit
leaf or canopy. High levels of fruit production, however, reduce root and shoot
growth through competition for resources and therefore check leaf canopy
development. The overall effect of fruiting on orchard dry matter production
thus depends on timescale and the extent to which canopy development has
reached the level at which it will be controlled.
References
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root respiration, and leaf conductance of peach willow, quince and several
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.
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Climate and the
Orchard
, ed. H.C. Pereira, pp. -. Farnham Royal, UK: Commonwealth
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New
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