Relationship of plant water status and leaf gas exchange with fruit cracking of pomegranate

Abstract

Plant water status and leaf gas exchange as influenced by micronutrients, kaolin and water management were studied to establish a relationship with fruit cracking in pomegranate in arid regions. Observations were recorded on fruiting pomegranate trees that were maintained under different water status and leaf gas exchange through mulching of tree basins and foliar spray of borax (0.4%), zinc sulphate (0.5%), kaolin (4.0%) with respect to fruit cracking, LWP, RWC, stomatal conductance, transpiration, photosynthetic rate and difference between ambient and leaf temperature of fruiting branch. The results showed that per cent fruit cracking was associated with reduction in leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and leaf transpiration. Such a situation coupled with high relative water content and photosynthetic rate as observed under combined sprays of borax (0.4%) + ZnSO4 (0.5%) and borax (0.4%) + ZnSO4 (0.5%)+ kaolin (4%) reflects the possible relationship of fruit cracking with selected physiological parameters. Plant water status also influences leaf gas exchange parameters and subsequently growth which may indirectly affect cracking in pomegranate fruits.