The nutrient levels in fruiting and non-fruiting terminals of three mango cultivars

The leaf nutrient status of 3 mango cultivars, determined in fruiting and non-fruiting terminals after fruit harvest (June 1976) from 20 orchards, were compared. N, P and Ca contents were significantly higher in ‘Dashehari’ than in ‘Chausa’ and ‘Lucknow Safeda’. The reverse was true for K, S and Zn contents. Mg and Mn contents were more or less at par in all the 3 cultivars. Leaves collected from non-fruiting terminals contained significantly higher amounts of N and P in all the 3 cultivars, but K, Ca, S and Zn only in 2 cultivars, as compared to those from fruiting terminals. Mn and Fe contents in both kinds of terminals were more or less at par in all the 3 cultivars.     

黄土高原富士苹果叶片矿质养分与果实品质相关性分析

2012和2013年,对黄土高原12个主产区108个典型富士苹果园叶片养分和果实品质进行调查分析,应用典型相关分析方法,筛选影响果实品质因子的主要叶片养分因子,求解富士苹果优质的叶片养分含量优化方案,指出被调查果园叶片养分存在的问题。研究结果表明：黄土高原富士苹果品质整体优良,但果实硬度偏低,可滴定酸含量变异稍大。典型相关分析获得了影响苹果品质的主要叶片养分因子,单果质量为：钾 > 磷 > 镁 > 铁 > 钙;果实硬度为：镁 > 钾 > 磷 > 钙 > 铁;果实可溶性固形物含量为：镁 > 钾 > 磷 > 锌 > 钙;果实可滴定酸含量为镁 > 钾 > 氮 > 锌;果形指数的大小顺序为镁 > 钾 > 磷 > 铁 > 钙。线性规划求解出富士苹果优质的叶片养分含量优化方案为：全氮21.5 ~ 26.6 g ? kg-1、全磷1.18 ~ 1.86 g ? kg-1、全钾5.5 ~ 11.6 g ? kg-1、全钙13.6 ~ 26.1 g ? kg-1、全镁4.8 g ? kg-1、全锌15.0 ~ 75.0 mg ? kg-1、全铁100.0 ~ 180.0 mg ? kg-1,在优化条件下苹果单果质量可以达到382.5 g、果实硬度8.59 kg ? cm-2、可溶性固形物含量19.11%、可滴定酸含量0.157%、果形指数0.93。被调查的果园叶片全磷、全钾、全钙和全铁含量均较高,全氮和全锌含量相对适宜,合理施肥,平衡树体营养,防止旺长是其今后树体养分管理的关键。     

环渤海湾地区主要梨园树体矿质营养元素状况研究

 以叶片矿质营养元素含量作为树体营养诊断的依据,对环渤海湾地区有代表性的203个梨园树体矿质营养状况及相应土壤养分状况进行了研究,结果表明：（1）该地区81% ~ 97%的梨园叶片P、Ca、Mg、Fe含量处于适宜状态,26% ~ 40%的梨园叶片N、K、Zn含量偏低。（2）除Mg、Zn外,不同梨树品种间叶片中矿质营养含量差异明显。与其它品种相比,苹果梨N、P含量较高,而K含量偏低;莱阳茌梨N含量较低,而P、K含量较高;砀山酥梨N、P、K含量均偏低。（3）初步筛选出N/P、Mg/P、Zn/P、K/Mg、Ca/Mg、Zn/Mg作为该地区梨园营养诊断与施肥建议综合法的营养诊断参数,低产梨园各元素需肥顺序大致为Mg > P > Ca > K > Zn > N > Fe。（4）土壤pH与梨树叶片中Ca、Mg含量呈极显著正相关,与Zn呈极显著负相关;土壤有机质含量与梨树叶片中N、Mg含量呈极显著正相关;叶片N、K、Ca、Mg、Zn含量与其所对应的土壤有效态养分均呈极显著或显著正相关。     

荔枝年生长周期内N、P、K营养动态规律与施肥管理体系

通过3年大田试验探索荔枝年生长周期内N、P、K营养规律,验证由高氮、高磷钾、高钾复合肥组成的荔枝平衡施肥管理措施的适用性。结果表明,荔枝年生长周期内,收获期N、P、K营养水平降至最低,随后因施肥而迅速恢复,在秋梢老熟到花芽分化期达年周期内最大值,此后随着开花结果N、P、K营养水平逐渐下降,至新的收获期又降至最低水平。秋梢和果枝的N、P、K水平因生长期的不同而明显变化,然而肥料用量(3～5kg/树)和N∶P∶K比例对树体N、P、K水平的影响较小。每个生育期结果母枝的N、P、K含量依次为N>K>P。收获期到开花前是树体营养恢复阶段,开花到果实生长发育期是消耗体内贮藏态N、P、K的过程。在荔枝年生长周期内,分别在收获期、秋梢老熟期和坐果期施用高氮复合肥、高磷钾复合肥和高钾复合肥能保障年周期内荔枝树体N、P、K营养水平处于最佳状态。     

三峡重庆库区甜橙叶片矿质营养丰缺状况调查

 为了解三峡重庆库区甜橙叶片矿质营养丰缺状况,2009年对库区5个甜橙主产县200个甜橙园4 ~ 6月龄营养性春梢叶片营养元素进行了分析测试。结果表明,三峡重庆库区甜橙叶片营养明显失衡,N和Fe含量很高,P、Zn和Mo比较适宜,K、Ca、Mg、Cu和Mn含量较低,而B含量严重不足。叶片N、P、K、Ca和Mg的平均含量分别为（27.34 ± 5.92）、（1.40 ± 0.21）、（11.00 ± 3.04）、（25.27 ± 8.53）和（3.34 ± 0.89）g · kg^-1,Fe、Cu、Mn、Zn、B和Mo的平均含量分别为（125.00 ± 40.55）、（5.38 ± 2.59）、（33.69 ± 6.33）、（34.30 ± 17.91）、（23.68 ± 14.24）和（0.79 ± 0.49）mg · kg^-1,且N和Fe处于高量及以上水平的比例分别为39.5%和53.0%,P、Zn和Mo在适宜范围的比例分别为75.5%、83.5%和70.5%,K、Mn和Mg处于低量水平的比例分别为50.3%、37.5%和20.0%,B、Ca、K、Cu在低量及以下水平的比例分别为76.5%、64.0%、57.3%和51.0%。库区大部分橘园叶片B含量严重不足,生产上需要重视补充B肥;同时生产上需根据甜橙叶片营养诊断结果,适量补充Ca肥和K肥,以满足柑橘营养平衡施肥。     

赣南不同土壤类型脐橙园叶片营养状况研究

从赣州市10个县(市、区)的沙质红壤、黏性红壤、紫色土和黄壤等131个枳砧纽荷尔脐橙园采样测定叶片营养元素含量,分析营养丰缺状况。结果显示,赣南脐橙园普遍存在叶片氮、钾偏高而镁、锌不足的问题。土壤类型对叶片氮、磷、钾、钙、镁、铁和锰含量有显著(P<0.05)影响:沙质红壤果园磷、铁更为丰富;黏性红壤果园氮含量最高,钾的过量程度和镁的缺乏程度都最轻;黄壤果园磷更丰富,钙更缺乏,锰最容易过量;紫色土果园氮、磷含量最低,钾易过量,钙较丰富,镁最缺乏,有部分pH值较高的果园植株缺铁。叶片硫、锌、铜、硼和钼在不同土壤类型的果园间差异不显著(P>0.05),但有相当比例的脐橙园叶片缺铜,少量果园叶片缺硼,大多数果园叶片硫含量适宜,所有果园叶片钼含量适宜。     

软枣猕猴桃叶片矿质元素变化与果实品质的关系

以"桓优一号"猕猴桃为试材,测定了营养枝与结果枝叶片及果实中的N、P、K、Ca、Mg等元素含量及生理指标,研究了叶片中矿质元素变化与果实品质的关系,以期为果实发育中营养的合理补充提供科学依据。结果表明:2种叶片中全氮含量均明显下降;全磷含量在营养枝叶片先大幅增加后大幅下降,在结果枝叶片先增加后减少再增加。2种叶片全钾含量不断下降。全钙、全镁含量逐步增加;随着果实发育,维生素C含量逐渐下降,果实鲜质量与其干物质量逐步增加。总酸含量先稳步增加后持续下降,总固形物含量不断增加。全氮含量总体呈增加趋势,全磷、全钾含量先增加后减少,全钙含量下降趋势明显,全镁含量变化不大。营养枝与结果枝叶片中全氮、全钾与果实营养指标之间存在显著或极显著的负相关关系。营养枝与结果枝中矿质营养元素主要用于果实的建成,在一定范围内,要保证果实发育期叶片有充足的矿质元素含量,以利于提高果实的大小和品质。在果实总固形物含量方面,不同时期叶片中N、P、K元素与果实总固形物含量的相关性不同。2种叶片中Ca含量与果实鲜质量、果实干物质量及果实总固形物含量呈正相关,说明适量提高叶片中矿质元素的含量可提高果实总固形物含量,促进果实成熟。     

Usage of Shoot Analyses to Assess Early-Season Nutritional Status of Apple Trees

Mid-summer leaf analyses are commonly used as the standard method worldwide to assess the nutritional status of fruit trees. However, the analyses performed at this period yield information only about current nutritional status of the trees. Several physiological processes influencing yield and quality take place early in spring. It was reported in previous studies that dormant-season shoot analyses for some nutrients may reliably be used to assess early-season nutritional status of peach trees.The present study was conducted with the shoot samples taken in dormant-season of 150 apple orchards from Isparta region during the years 2010 and 2011. Shoot samples were taken 15 days before full bloom stage and samples were subjected to nutrient analyses. Reference values for each nutrient were indicated as 25 and 75% of the resultant values. The shoot reference values for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and B were respectively observed as 0.66–0.82%, 0.12–0.15%, 0.37–0.45%, 0.84–1.24%, 0.11–0.16%, 24.55–32.24?ppm, 11.12–17.55?ppm, 12.96–21.90?ppm and 13.33–16.00?ppm. To check the reliability of shoot analyses, leaf samples were taken from the same orchards in 7 different periods until mid-vegetation season and correlations between nutrient contents of shoots and nutrient contents of leaves taken in all periods were investigated. Significant correlations were observed between N, P, K, Mg, Mn and B contents of shoots and leaves. Therefore, it was concluded that early-season shoot N, P, K, Mg, Mn and B analyses could reliably be used to assess nutritional status of apple trees.     

不同叶面肥处理对日光温室“87-1”葡萄生长发育的影响

以日光温室"87-1"葡萄为试材,设置叶面喷施氨基酸系列肥(AA-S)、氨基酸硒肥(AA-Se)、氨基酸硒肥+微量元素(AA-Se+T)和喷清水(CK)4个处理,研究了不同叶面肥处理对日光温室葡萄生长发育的影响,以期为日光温室葡萄叶面肥的选择及改良研发提供参考依据。结果表明:与CK相比,喷施叶面肥处理显著提高了葡萄的成花枝率、结果系数、比叶干质量、叶绿素b含量、叶绿素总含量和成熟期果实的N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu、Mo等矿质元素含量,以及果实的可溶性固形物含量。其中,AA-Se+T处理的成花枝率、叶绿素a含量、叶绿素b含量、叶绿素总含量、类胡萝卜素含量、成熟期果实的N、P、K、Fe、Mn、B、Cu和Mo含量,以及可溶性固形物含量均显著高于AA-S处理和AA-Se处理,成熟期果实的Ca和Mg含量则以AA-S处理最高。Topsis综合评价分析,CI指数表现为AA-Se+T处理>AA-S处理>AA-Se处理>CK。综上所述,喷施叶面肥可以提高日光温室"87-1"葡萄的成花能力、叶片质量、果实矿质元素含量和果实品质,以AA-Se+T处理效果最佳。AA-S处理显著提高了成熟期果实的Ca、Mg含量,可用于解决果实缺钙问题和高钙果品的生产。     

Carbohydrate content of inflorescent buds of defruited and fruiting pistachio (Pistacia vera L) branches in relation to biennial bearing

Summary

Changes in carbohydrate content of inflorescent buds of fruiting and defruited branches of the same tree were measured in 1994 and 1995 in the period before and during bud abscission in pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Aegenes) to investigate its relationship to inflorescent bud abscission. HPLC was used for soluble sugar analysis, while starch was hydrolyzed to glucose enzymatically and the amount of glucose was then determined using the glucose oxidaseperoxidase method. The effect of fruit on leaf net photosynthesis (Pn), chlorophyll a and b (Chl (a+b)) in leaves and specific leaf weight (SLW) was also investigated in 1995. Starch concentration was initially similar in buds of fruiting and defruited branches but became greater in buds of defruited branches from early June 1994 (57 d after full bloom (AFB)) and 20 June 1995 (61 dAFB), resulting in higher starch contents. Glucose and fructose concentrations were similar in flower buds throughout the whole period of measurement; inositol and sucrose (the most abundant sugar in flower buds) both became much lower in fruiting branches from early July 1994 (83 dAFB) and mid July 1995 (88 dAFB). The rapid decrease in sucrose concentration coincided with rapid seed growth and the greatest period of bud abscission in fruiting branches. During the same period, total sugar and total carbohydrate concentrations and contents were greater in buds of defruited branches. The presence of fruit increased Chl (a+b) content in leaves while decreasing SLW between 43 and 61 dAFB. During this same period, leaf Pn rates were greater in fruiting shoots than in defruited ones.     

红壤甜橙园土壤和叶片营养元素相关性分析

 于2010 年和2011 年在江西省安远县和寻乌县这两大赣南甜橙生产县,共采集181 个红壤枳 砧甜橙园的土壤样品和叶片样品,进行营养元素含量测定,并对土壤和叶片相应营养元素含量进行相关 性分析,为评价测土配方施肥是否适宜红壤甜橙园提供依据。结果表明：土壤碱解氮、交换性钙、交换 性镁、有效铁和有效锌的丰缺状况在甜橙叶片对应营养元素丰缺水平上能得到一定程度的反映;土壤有 效钾、有效磷、有效铜和有效硼的状况则难以在甜橙叶片对应营养元素丰缺水平上得到反映。相关性分 析结果显示,只有2010 年安远县甜橙园土壤有效Zn 含量与叶片Zn 含量呈显著正相关（P < 0.05）,其余 土壤有效营养元素含量与叶片对应营养元素含量之间均无显著相关性。表明测土配方施肥不适宜红壤甜 橙园,建议实行以叶片营养诊断为主、土壤诊断为辅的配方施肥策略。     

琯溪蜜柚落花落果特性及养分损失定量化研究

[目的]以福建省平和县特色柑橘品种琯溪蜜柚为实验材料,进行不同分级花的形态和落花落果的养分含量及其脱落损耗的养分定量化研究,以期为蜜柚开花坐果期的养分管理和合理施肥提供科学依据.[方法]在平和县坂仔镇优势种植区选取盛果期琯溪蜜柚(8～15年生),分别开展不同分级花(Ⅰ-Ⅴ级)的形态、生物量、养分浓度特性以及落花落果的动...     

Essential and non-essential element composition of tomato plants fertilized with poultry manure

Poultry manure (PM) must be disposed of from poultry farms, but is a potentially valuable source of macro- and micronutrients for plant growth. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of poultry manure on the growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants. Yields of fruits and vegetative material of plants grown in soil with 0, 10, 20 and 40 g kg⁻¹ PM added were measured. Concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Cl, Si, Br, Rb, Sr and Ba in leaves at flowering and at final harvest and in fruits were determined by polarized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Poultry manure fertilization improved tomato shoot growth and also fruit yield and increased leaf N concentrations at the harvest stage. In addition, P concentrations of the leaves and fruits were increased as the application rate of PM was increased. Fruit Ca and Mg were significantly reduced by increased rate of PM application, but not to the extent to cause the calcium deficiency disorder blossom end rot. Applied high levels of PM slightly increased the concentrations of leaf Mo and Br at the harvest stage. Poultry manure applications had a positive effect on the concentrations of leaf Zn, Cu, Cl and Rb at both sampling stages, but leaf Si concentration was reduced by PM treatments. The concentrations of Zn and Rb were increased in the fruits by PM treatments, but the concentrations of Br were decreased. Applied PM levels had no significant effects on the concentrations of K, S, Fe, Sr or Ba in tomato plants. It is concluded that the increased fruit yield, and the increased concentration of Zn (an element required in the human diet) and the lowered concentration of potentially harmful Br in the fruit make poultry manure a valuable growing medium for tomato production.     

Wood age and leaf area influence fruit size and mineral composition of apple fruit

Summary

The influence of wood age, fruiting position and leaf area within the tree canopy on fruit mineral content and quality for several apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars was investigated. Size and Ca, Mg and K content of individual fruit on one-year (lateral and terminal positions), two-year and older than three-year wood were compared for cvs Royal Gala, Braeburn, Granny Smith and Fuji. Fruit on two-year spurs and one-year terminals was generally larger at commercial harvest than that on one-year laterals and spurs older than three years. Flower receptacles at full bloom were larger and fruit growth rates were greater from 60 to 100 d after full bloom on two-year spurs than on one-year laterals. Fruit Ca and Mg concentrations and contents at commercial harvest were highest for terminal fruit, but there was no consistent difference between fruit from other positions. One-year terminals had the greatest primary and bourse leaf areas, two-year spurs were intermediate and one-year laterals had the lowest areas of both leaf types. Removal of 50% of primary leaves and/or removal of bourse shoots from clusters at bloom reduced fruit Ca content at commercial harvest for two-year spurs, one-year laterals and one-year terminals. Bourse shoot removal also reduced Mg content for all positions. However there was no effect of leaf removal on fruit size or K content. Ca content of individual fruit increased curvilinearly with increasing total spur leaf area for fruit on two-year spurs and one-year terminals but not for fruit on one-year lateral clusters. Terminal fruit with total spur leaf areas and fruit size similar to those on two-year spur fruit had higher Ca content.     

砧木对椪柑生长结果及叶片矿质成分的影响

通过10年田间比较试验,探明枳砧与2种惯用乔化砧(椪柑、福桔)对椪柑生长结果及叶片元素含量的影响。枳砧明显抑制椪柑树体及新梢生长,而显著增加其开花、坐果数及单株产量,且产量较稳定。半矮化枳砧椪柑叶片含氮、锰量稳定高于2种乔化砧椪柑;而前者的叶片含钾量较稳定高于后两者,含钙量呈阶段性低于后两者;镁、磷、铜、铁、硼含量差异不稳定、锌无差异。     

镉对“华硕”苹果生长和矿质元素含量的影响

以二年生盆栽"华硕"/T337苹果为试材,采用整株解剖的方法,研究了25 mg·kg^-1Cd处理对苹果叶片光合参数和叶片解剖结构、叶绿素含量、各组织生物量和矿质元素含量的影响,以期为果园Cd污染修复提供参考依据。结果表明:Cd处理下苹果叶片净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率分别比对照降低18.0%、40.0%和31.6%,叶片厚度、上表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度和海绵组织厚度减少,叶片生长量降低。对照植株各组织均未检测到Cd,Cd处理植株各组织Cd含量由高到低依次为根>砧木茎>二年生枝>一年生枝>当年生枝>叶片>果实。Cd处理降低了植株P、K和Mg含量,以及根系Ca含量。Cd抑制了苹果植株对B、Mn和Zn的吸收,但Cu含量增加。Cd对植株不同组织铁含量的影响不同,表现为二年生枝条Fe含量降低,一年生枝条Fe含量增加。因此,Cd能通过破坏苹果叶片细胞结构抑制光合参数和生长量,还能影响苹果植株对P、K、Mg、B、Mn和Zn的分配。     

膜下滴灌条件下温室秋延辣椒养分吸收及分配规律

以辣椒品种好农11为试材,在安徽和县开展田间试验,研究膜下滴灌条件下温室秋延辣椒的养分吸收及分配规律。结果表明,辣椒产量47100kg·hm~(-2),植株地上部干物质累积量8163kg·hm~(-2),收获指数0.70,植株干物质增加最快时期为膨果期,膨果期干物质累积量占整个生育期的33.3%;辣椒整个生育期吸收的养分钾氮磷,氮(N)的吸收量186kg·hm~(-2),磷(P2O5)的吸收量61.0kg·hm~(-2),钾(K2O)的吸收量313kg·hm~(-2),植株吸收的氮磷钾主要分配到果实中,氮磷钾的收获指数分别为0.59、0.78、0.58,膨果期辣椒氮磷钾的吸收量最高,分别占整个生育期的37.6%、28.5%、38.4%;钙镁硼的吸收量钙镁硼,钙(Ca O)的吸收量135kg·hm~(-2),镁(Mg O)的吸收量74.9kg·hm~(-2),硼(B)的吸收量0.13kg·hm~(-2),钙镁硼的收获指数分别为0.08、0.32、0.46,钙镁在叶中的累积量最高,分别占植株吸收总量的79.8%、54.1%,而硼主要分配到果实、叶中,分别占植株吸收总量的46.2%、39.2%,膨果期钙镁硼的吸收量最高,分别占整个生育期的34.6%、33.3%、38.2%。     

福建柑桔园营养施肥状况及其施肥改进建议

以福建省永春等10县（市）70片（≥3．5hm2）柑桔示范园为代表,通过土壤、叶片分析及施肥状况的综合诊断得出的结果表明：84％的示范园土壤显著酸化（pH＜5．5）,主要是施用N、P、K化肥造成的;营养失调也普遍存在于示范围中,其中主要元素缺Ca、P吸收障碍及微量元素B、Cu的过量尤为普遍;施肥中有机肥不足,P、N肥滥用,Ca、Mg、K肥欠缺;叶片K、Mg并不简单受其土壤有效成分的影响,叶片K与土壤"全N／有效K"、"水解N／有效K",叶片Mg与土壤"代换Mg／代换Ca"呈极显著相关（P＜0．01,r=-0．36、-0．39、0．49）。据此,对以红壤为主要土壤类型的福建柑桔产区的施肥提出了改进建议。     

枝梢环剥对荔枝新梢生长和叶片矿质营养的影响

环剥处理中断韧皮部光合产物向下运输及抑制枝梢生长的效应已经明确,但对不同矿质营养运输的影响则有待进一步揭示。研究以妃子笑荔枝为试材,揭示了枝梢环剥处理对新梢生长和叶片矿质营养的影响。结果表明,枝梢环剥处理可强烈抑制枝梢上的新梢发生;环剥17 d后,叶片叶绿素指数明显下降;同时,环剥口上端的叶片不同的矿质营养发生不同的变化。其中对钾和镁影响微弱,而氮、磷、钙、铁、锰、铜、锌等矿质营养含量发生不同程度降低,其中微量元素铁、铜、锰的含量下降较为明显,这表明,中断韧皮部运输也会导致叶片摄取这些矿质元素的减少。     

The relationship between yield and assimilate supply in lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Summary

Experiments were conducted on lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) in subtropical Australia (lat. 27° –29°S) to evaluate the role of assimilates on fruit retention. All the leaves of the last flush, all the leaves of the previous flush (about eight leaves per terminal shoot), or all the old leaves were removed from trees. Medium (3–5.cm diameter) or large branches (5–10.cm diameter) were girdled and defoliated after fruit set, and fruit retention compared with ungirdled and undefoliated branches. Other branches were girdled and defoliated between anthesis and fruit harvest. Finally, 20, 50 or 80% of the flowering panicles were defruited on large trees. Defoliated trees had 35 to 45% lower yields than the controls. This was despite the treatment with all the old leaves removed having a much lower leaf area index than the other defoliation treatments (1.7 vs. 2.3 and 2.8). Leaves next to the inflorescences are more important for yield than the older leaves. Fruit retention was very low on girdled branches that had been defoliated, especially when the leaves were removed in the first 20.d after anthesis. This suggests that the yields of girdled branches were determined by the availability of assimilates soon after fruit set. In contrast, the number of fruit retained on ungirdled branches was unrelated to the number of leaves, with defoliation having no effect on yield. Fruit on these branches were supported by resources from elsewhere in the tree. Thinned trees had similar yields to those of unthinned plots (65–82.kg tree^–1). Thinning apparently increased fruit retention in the remaining clusters, under a higher leaf:fruit ratio. There were large differences in the concentrations of starch in the tree, and seasonal changes, with starch declining from flowering to fruit harvest. In contrast, there were only small responses to the treatments, suggesting that the fruit were mainly dependent on current photosynthesis. Photosynthesis in the leaves behind the fruit clusters was more important than photosynthesis in the older shaded leaves.