FRUIT AND LEAF WATER RELATIONS OF PECANS DURING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NUTS

Abstract

In pecan trees (Carya illinoensis K.), a study was conducted to know the water relations in leaf and fruit during growth and development of the nut. Five leaves and five inflorescences were sampled every 72 hours to measure water potential. Samples of 10 fruits were made weekly to assess fruit length and width, and 20 fruits were sampled to determine the dynamics of accumulation of dry weight. It was found that the watery stage begins when the fruit has grown to 50 % of its maximum length. Fifty two days were required to complete nut filling. After one irrigation was applied, the time at which the fruit begins to be stressed was shorter and was more susceptible to water stress during nut filling than at the watery stage and shell lignification.