ASSIMILATE REQUIREMENTS FOR GROWTH AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CUCUMBER FRUIT

Changes in the chemical composition of the dry weight accretion of single stem fruits were measured and the data were used to calculate growth respiration of a developing fruit.
The estimated CO₂ production was in good agreement with growth respiration, estimated from gas exchange experiments.

Maintenance respiration was measured after heat treatment of the fruit stalk in order to stop assimilate uptake and growth.

A method is given by which the total carbon demand of a developing fruit can be estimated.
Maximum carbon requirements of a fruit (180 g fresh weight) appear to be equivalent to a leaf assimilation of about 3400 mg.day^-1 CO₂.

Working-party on Greenhouse Cucumber

A.H.C.M. Schapendonk, H. Challa

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1981.118.9