Ontogenetic Changes in Calcium Concentration and Content in Pickling Cucumber Fruit as Influenced by Genotype and Environment

Abstract

<jats:p>A field experiment was conducted to quantify the ontogenetic changes in Ca concentration and content of pickling cucumber fruits as influenced by environmental conditions and genotype. Pericarp tissue Ca concentrations (1.1% to 0.7% of dry weight) were higher but declined less rapidly during fruit development than endocarp concentrations (0.8% to 0.2% of dry weight). About 90% of net fruit Ca content accumulated within the pericarp of ≈150 g fresh weight fruit, the rest in the endocarp. The rate of Ca accumulation was highly variable during fruit ontogeny but was closely correlated with growth rate (grams fresh weight/day). Environmental conditions had the largest effect on Ca accumulation rate. Fruit tissue Ca concentrations were affected both by genotype and the cultural environment, especially at the later stages of fruit development. Calcium concentrations (1.5 to ≈3.0% of dry weight) in fully expanded leaf tissue were higher than in rapidly growing fruit tissues on the same plants.</jats:p>

Application of Calcium to Soil and Cultivar Affect Elemental Concentration of Watermelon Leaf and Rind Tissue

“…As a result of different Ca allocation and remobilization, Ca concentrations in watermelon leaves and fruits were not directly related. These results agree with conclusions drawn from studies conducted on Ca nutrition of cucumber (Cucumis sutivus L.) (Engelkes et al, 1990).…”

Water Stress and Storage Environment Affect Pillowy Fruit Disorder in Cucumber

“…Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that differences in fruit Ca content observed in the present study were due, in part, to the effects of water stress on translocation of Ca to enlarging fruits. Calcium concentrations in the fruit were considerably lower than those reported by Engelkes et al (1990). The relatively low Ca levels in the fruit from both wellwatered and stress plots may provide a partial explanation for the high incidence of PFD in fruits harvested from well-watered plants.…”

“…Fruit Ca status appears to be influenced by soil moisture (Engelkes et al, 1990). Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that differences in fruit Ca content observed in the present study were due, in part, to the effects of water stress on translocation of Ca to enlarging fruits.…”

“…The characterization of mechanisms for the regulation of Ca uptake and its distribution has been difficult (Bangerth, 1979). Nevertheless, based on the data presented in this and other reports (Engelkes et al, 1990;Staub et al, 1988), we hypothesize that, under plant water stress, the efficiency of translocation and distribution of Ca to cucumber fruits in their early stages of growth (2 to 4 days after pollination) may affect the development of PFD.…”

“…Cultivar differences in susceptibility to Ca deficiencies have been reported (Greenleaf and Adams, 1969) and have a genetic basis (Giordano et al, 1982). Studies have identified cucumber cultivars that differ in susceptibility to PFD (Staub et al, 1988) and cultivar differences exist in fruit Ca accumulation rates (Engelkes et al, 1990). If the efficiency of translocation affects pillowy development and if genetic variation for Ca uptake and distribution exists in processing cucumber, then selection of genotypes efficient in the early accumulation of Ca may help to prevent the development of PFD in cucumbers.…”