| dc.description.abstract |
A study has been made of growth in the fruit of apricot, Prunus armeniaca L. cv. Moorpark, in Adelaide, S.A. Morphological changes in the seed and mesocarp from anthesis to maturity are described. Significant positive correlations have been shown between the diameter of fruit at early pit-hardening, and that at the end of pit-hardening and at maturity. Large fruit at pit-hardening were also shown to ripen earlier. Other factors such as leaf/fruit ratio, fruit or leaf number per branch, branch diameter, and amount of light received by branches could not be correlated with fruit growth or final size. Differences were found in the rate of fruit growth during the first 3 or 4 weeks after anthesis between seasons, and also between fruit from early and late flowers. These differences were positively correlated with air temperature during this period; a constant number of 'degree-days' above 5 |
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