The development of cuttings of the Washington navel orange to the stage of fruit set. III. The fruiting cutting

Abstract

Studies of the effect of NPK fertilization on fruiting cuttings of the Washington Navel orange are described and are considered in relation to previous developmental studies. Fruiting occurred on the second cycle growth flush. The growth of the plant as a whole was affected by nutrient supply. Where fruit was developed, its development was at the expense of the rest of the plant, and especially of the parts nearest to it. In this regard, the dominant role of the fruit with respect to the vegetative parts, differed from the somewhat uniform pattern of response between the vegetative parts that was previously observed for a differential in phosphorus supply. The importance of adequate nutrition in early stages of fruit development is apparent, and the value of the technique in field studies is noted.