Leaf and tree water relations of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] /
| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1988.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy Link to ProQuest copy |
| Abstract: | Field and greenhouse studies were conducted at Stephenville and College Station, Texas to investigate several aspects of the water relations of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch). New leaf and terminal production, most adversely affected by water stress, were the major contributors to differences in biomass production induced by four levels of applied water. Root production continued at normal levels in all but the lowest watering level. Osmotic adjustment was sufficient to maintain turgor pressure in young growing leaves of peach. These leaves continued to grow although they attained a smaller than normal size. Mature leaves were incapable of osmotic adjustment during short-term periods of stress. Under well-watered, sunlit conditions, leaf transpiration rates increased from immature to mature leaves. When a water deficit occurred, stomatal closure in mature leaves was attributed to loss of turgor. Increasing the leaf resistance to water vapor by applying an antitranspirant caused a 30% reduction in tree water use over a three month post-harvest period. The antitranspirant was correlated with reductions in stem elongation and new leaf production. It had no effect on leaf size or leaf and flower bud set. Daily tree water use was interpolated from a small number of representative leaf transpiration readings made periodically during the day. The method was accurate to within 11% of the water use measured by a precision weighing lysimeter. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Horticulture." |
| Physical Description: | x, 111 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |