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Journal ArticleDOI

The Effect of Temperature on Floral Behaviour, Pollen Tube Growth and Fruit Set in the Avocado

01 Jan 1977-Journal of Horticultural Science (Taylor & Francis)-Vol. 52, Iss: 1, pp 135-141
TL;DR: The rate of pollen tube growth increased with a rise in temperature, but abnormal growth was frequently observed at 33/28 and tubes failed to reach the ovary at 17/12, and endosperm and embryo development was observed to occur at 25/20 but not at33/28 or 17/ 12 although a positive effect of...
Abstract: SummaryAvocado plants were kept in growth cabinets at 33°C day, 28°C night (33/28); 25°C day, 20°C night (25/20); and 17°C day, 12°C night (17/12), with a 12-h photoperiod and light intensity of 26000 1x. At 33/28 and 25/20 flowers opened in the afternoon as females and again the following morning as males (type B floral cycle) with some overlap of male and female stages at 25/20. At 17/12 very few flowers had a female stage, the majority opening once only as males. The duration of the flowering period decreased with a rise in temperature as did total number of flowers opening. Reproductive growth was inhibited in favour of vegetative growth at 33/28, as exhibited by smaller floral parts and abscission of buds and flowers. The rate of pollen tube growth increased with a rise in temperature, but abnormal growth was frequently observed at 33/28 and tubes failed to reach the ovary at 17/12. Endosperm and embryo development was observed to occur at 25/20 but not at 33/28 or 17/12 although a positive effect of...
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Interestingly, a review of the literature on this topic shows that genetic variation does exist in reproductive behavior under temperature fluctuations, and this genetic diversity must be preserved and characterized in further detail to understand how plants naturally cope with changing environmental conditions.

227 citations


Cites background from "The Effect of Temperature on Floral..."

  • ...In avocado (Persea americana L.), higher fruit set has been obtained in the range of 20-25ºC; temperatures outside this range negatively affected fruit set either by impairing fertilization (17ºC) or by abscission of unopened flowers (33ºC) (Sedgley, 1977)....

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  • ...Sedgley, 1977 17/12ºC, 25/20ºC, 33/25ºC....

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Book ChapterDOI
08 Feb 2011
TL;DR: This paper presents a meta-analysis of avocado fruit development, ripening, and postharvest Physiological Disorders that highlights the importance of knowing the carrier and removal status of pesticides.
Abstract: I. Introduction 229 II. Avocado Fruit Development 230 A. Environmental Aspects 231 B. Endogenous Controlling Systems 233 III. Avocado Fruit Ripening 238 A. Plant Growth Regulators 239 B. Structural Changes 243 C. Enzymes 244 D. Calcium 246 E. Modification of the Ripening Process 248 F. Postharvest Physiological Disorders 252 IV. Conclusions 259

125 citations


Cites background from "The Effect of Temperature on Floral..."

  • ...Besides actual frost damage, low night temperatures of less than 12°C can influence flowering and reduce fertilization (Sedgley and Grant 1982) by reducing the number of flowers with a female stage (Sedgley 1977)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The most suitable temperature regime for floral behaviour, pollen tube growth and embryo development was 25 20, and the ovules at 17 12 had an embryosac penetrated by a pollen tube.

81 citations


Cites result from "The Effect of Temperature on Floral..."

  • ...This observation was confirmed by controlled-environment growth-cabinet studies (Sedgley, 1977), when it was shown for 'Fuerte' that the disruption of floral cycle under a 17°C day and 12°C night resulted in reduced pollen tube growth and no fertilization and fruit development....

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  • ...This was to compare the response with that of 'Fuerte' (Sedgley, 1977) and to provide an explanation for the field observations (Bergh and Whitsell, 1974)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Transpiration rate and epidermal conductance were determined for avocado leaves and floral parts under controlled environmental conditions and all floral structures were densely pubescent, thereby increasing the effective boundary layer depth.
Abstract: Transpiration rate (E) and epidermal conductance (gc,) were determined for avocado leaves and floral parts under controlled environmental conditions (28¦C; PAR 60 8mole quanta m-2 s-1; VPD 1.14 kPa). E of hydrated flowers was shown to be approximately 60% that of similarly treated leaves. Around 13% of total transpirational water loss from tree canopies could be attributed to floral organs. The mean gc of leaves and flower panicles was similar at 0.028 and 0.023 mm s-1 respectively. The available canopy surface area for water loss increased by c. 90% during flowering. Xylem water potentials in panicle segments with open flowers were lower than those of mature leaves measured on trees in the field. Maximum transpiration rate of leaves measured in the field was 6.7 8g cm-2 s -1 at 0700 hours, declining to 3.0 8g cm-2 s-1 at 1100 hours, while stomatal conductance (gs) on the same leaves fell from 10.2 mm s-1 at 0700 hours to 2.52 mm s-1 at 1100 hours. Scanning Electron Microscope studies of leaves and floral structures highlighted morphological and anatomical features for water conservation. Mature leaves have an epicuticular wax-like layer on the adaxial surface. Stomates were located only on the abaxial surface, which was also covered wlth wax-like deposits. Stomate density was estimated at 73 000 cm-2 on sun leaves. Stomates were also located on abaaial surfaces of flower sepals and petals. All floral structures were densely pubescent, thereby increasing the effective boundary layer depth.

79 citations


Cites background from "The Effect of Temperature on Floral..."

  • ...The flowers show marked synchronous alternating dichogamy (Robinson and Savage 1926), which is strongly influenced by temperature (Sedgley 1977; Sedgley and Grant 1983)....

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BookDOI
01 Jan 1997
TL;DR: The available Boron (B) level in major soil types of Bangladesh ranged between 0.1 to 1.9 mg kg1 soil as discussed by the authors, which are the principal light textured acid soils generally contain low levels of available B (0.1-0.3 mg kg-I).
Abstract: Boron (B) deficiency problems for crop production have been identified recently in Bangladesh. Information on the subject is still limited. Deficiency symptoms typical of B have been observed in a wide range of crops including: deformed and poor root growth; death of plant apices; failure in seed setting; abortion of flowers; thick pod walls with small or no seeds; discolouration of vegetables. Deficiency of B in plants has been considered responsible for causing sterility in wheat, and mustard in the country, although it was recently reported that low soil B is not the sole factor inducing wheat sterility. The available B level in major soil types of Bangladesh ranged between 0.1 to 1.9 mg kg1 soil. Non-calcareous grey floodplain soil (Typic Fluvaquent), Terrace soil (Typic Haplaquept) and Hill soil (Lithic Udorthent), which are the principal light textured acid soils generally contain low levels of available B (0.1-0.3 mg kg-I). Approximately 1 million ha of cultivable land may have B deficiency problems. Yield increases to the extent of 10-92% by B fertilization in wheat and 14-52% in different vegetables were recorded from several field trials in B deficient areas in the northern zones of Bangladesh. A sharp decline in B availability in soil is expected to occur in the near future due to both crop intensification and crop diversification as Bangladesh strives for increased agricultural production. Hence B demands more attention, along with better crop management practices, in the context of sustainable agricultural production.

76 citations