The sensitivity of fruit growth rate to the water balance of the plant

Abstract

It is argued that when the diffusion pressure deficit of the fruit exceeds that of the leaves, the fruit is relatively insensitive to the state of water balance of the plant. The results of a limited number of diffusion pressure deficit measurements of the leaves and fruit of grape vines are presented and indicate that the ripe fruit may be insensitive, but that green fruit is sensitive to the state of the water balance of the plant.