Fluctuations of total and nitrate nitrogen in parthenocarpic and nonparthenocarpic
      fig varieties

Dekazos, E; Crane, J

Fluctuations of total and nitrate nitrogen in parthenocarpic and nonparthenocarpic fig varieties

Authors

E. D. Dekazos
J. C. Crane

Authors Affiliations

E. D. Dekazos was formerly a graduate student in the Department of Pomology, University of California, Davis, and now is Plant Physiologist, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Maryland; J. C. Crane was Professor of Pomology and Pomologist in the Experiment Station, Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 37(5):155-164. DOI:10.3733/hilg.v37n05p155. January 1966.

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Abstract

Total and nitrate nitrogen determinations were made on various organs of parthenocarpic Mission and Adriatic fig varieties and nonparthenocarpic Calimyrna and Stanford varieties. Total and nitrate nitrogen fluctuated in definite cycles which were associated with season and plant part. All organs analyzed had the highest percentage of nitrogen relative to dry-weight at the start of growth and the lowest when growth had ceased. Three distinct phases appeared in the nitrogen cycle of the developing fruit; these were shown as a double sigmoid curve of opposite directional trend to the curve showing fruit growth in diameter.

High nitrate nitrogen was present in all plant parts analyzed, particularly in current-season’s growth and leaves. While the values for total nitrogen were not greatly different, those for nitrate nitrogen in all plant parts of parthenocarpic varieties were several times higher than in identical parts of nonparthenocarpic varieties. Thus, there was a positive relation between nitrate level and the expression of parthenocarpy.

Literature Cited

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