Effects of climatic factors, fluctuating water availability and partial defoliation on the diurnal radial growth pattern of carrot (Daucus carota) taproots
A. J. Gracie A B and P. H. Brown AA Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, Private Bag 54, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: a_gracie@utas.edu.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44(12) 1231-1240 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA03040
Submitted: 29 January 2003 Accepted: 2 February 2004 Published: 24 January 2005
Abstract
Carrot taproots are prone to radial longitudinal tissue fractures (splitting). The longitudinal alignment of the fractures is consistent with the tangential stress induced by radial growth in the annular cambium. In this study linear variable differential transformers were used to monitor the diurnal radial growth pattern of mature carrot taproots. The diurnal growth pattern was characterised by rapid expansion during the night (dark) period and small shrinkage during the light period. The magnitude of the daily shrinkage was positively correlated with both vapour pressure deficit and global radiation. A positive correlation between the rate of taproot expansion during the night period and global radiation level the preceding day was also recorded. Water stress reduced the taproot night time expansion rate, but the taproot of water stressed plants expanded rapidly when watered to field capacity. Partial defoliation of plants at midday resulted in immediate expansion of the taproot, however, the daily growth rates of the partially defoliated plants was less than untreated control plants over the following 3 days. It was concluded that the short-term changes in taproot diameter could be used to infer changes in tangential stresses and therefore taproot splitting propensity.
Additional keywords: linear variable differential transformers (LVDT), splitting, water stress.
Acknowledgments
This work was funded by Horticulture Australia and was supported by Field Fresh Tasmania Pty Ltd and Harvest Moon Pty Ltd. The statistical advice of Dr David Ratkowsky is also acknowledged.
Aloni B,
Karni L,
Moreshet S,
Yao C, Stanghellini C
(1999) Cuticular cracking in bell pepper fruit. II. Effects of fruit water relations and fruit expansion. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 74, 1–5.
Batra BR, Kalloo G
(1990) Effect of different levels of irrigation and fertilization on growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.) for root production. Vegetable Science 17, 127–139.
Bergh O, deCloete V
(1992) Effect of different day and night temperatures on the diurnal growth rate of terminal and lateral fruits in Golden Delicious apple. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 9, 68–72.
Bienz DR
(1965) Carrot splitting and second growth in Central Washington as influenced by spacing, time of side-dressing and other cultural practices. Proceedings of the American Society for Horticultural Science 86, 406–410.
Considine JA, Kriedman PE
(1972) Fruit splitting in grapes: determination of the critical turgor pressure. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 23, 17–24.
| Crossref |
Crossref |
Dickson MH
(1966) The inheritance of longitudinal cracking in carrots. Euphytica 15, 99–101.
Gibberd MR,
Turner NC, Loveys BR
(2000) High vapour pressure deficit results in a rapid decline of leaf water potential and photosynthesis of carrots grown on free-draining, sandy soils. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 51, 839–847.
| Crossref |
Crossref |
Gracie AJ, Brown PH
(2002) Partial defoliation treatments to reduce carrot (Daucus carota L.) taproot splitting. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 887–894.
| Crossref |
Crossref |
Grandar PW, Tanner CB
(1976) Potato leaf and tuber water potential measurements with a pressure chamber. American Potato Journal 53, 1–14.
Hole CC,
Drew RLK,
Smith BM, Gray D
(1999) Tissue properties and propensity for damage in carrot (Daucus carota L.) storage roots. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 74, 651–657.
Kokkoras IF
(1995) The effect of temperature and water status of carrot tissue on residual strains and stresses. Acta Horticulturae 379, 491–498.
Korolev AV,
Tomos AD, Farrar JF
(2000) The trans-tissue pathway and chemical fate of 14C photoassimilate in carrot taproot. New Phytologist 147, 299–306.
| Crossref |
Malone M
(1992) Kinetics of wound-induced hydraulic signals and variation potentials in wheat seedlings. Planta 187, 505–510.
| Crossref |
Crossref |
McGarry A
(1993) Influence of water status on carrot (Daucus carota L.) fracture properties. Journal of Horticultural Science 68, 431–437.
McGarry A
(1995) Cellular basis of tissue toughness in carrot (Daucus carota L.) in storage roots. Annals of Botany 75, 157–163.
| Crossref |
Crossref |
Moreshet S,
Yao C,
Aloni B,
Karni L,
Fuchs M, Stanghellini C
(1999) Environmental factors affecting the cracking of greenhouse-grown bell pepper fruit. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 74, 6–12.
Ohta K,
Hosoki T,
Matsumoto K,
Ohya M,
Ito N, Inaba K
(1997) Relationships between fruit cracking and changes of fruit diameter associated with solute flow to fruit in cherry tomatoes. Journal of the Japanese Society for Horticultural Science 65, 753–759.
Opara LU,
Studman CJ, Banks NH
(1997) Fruit skin splitting and cracking. Horticultural Reviews 19, 217–262.
Penman HL
(1956) Evaporation: an introductory survey. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science 1, 9–153.
Sekse L, Ystaas J
(1998) Fruit cracking mechanisms in sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) — a review. Acta Horticulturae 468, 637–648.
Sorensen L, Harker FR
(2000) Rheological basis of splitting in carrot storage roots. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 125, 212–216.
Teaotia SS, Singh RD
(1970) Fruit cracking: a review. Progressive Horticulture 2, 21–32.
Wilson SJ, Clark RJ
(1998) Changes in water relations of Eucalyptus nitens nursery stock during and after lifting and transplanting. New Forests 16, 199–211.
| Crossref |
Crossref |
Yao CR,
Moreshet S,
Aloni B, Karni L
(2000) Effects of climatic factors and water stress on the diurnal fluctuation in diameter of bell pepper fruit. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 75, 6–11.
