Assimilate Source-Sink Relationships in Capsicum annuum L. III. The Effects of Fruit Excision on Photosynthesis and Leaf and Stem Carbohydrates.

Abstract

Removal of the rapidly growing fruit from a Capsicum plant reduced the rate of net CO2 uptake by its leaves by up to 30% during the time period explored (0.5 - 7 days). This reduction was associated with increases in both the leaf (to about 200%) and intracellular (to about 30%) resistances, these changes having about equal effects on reducing the rate of CO2 uptake. Changes in photorespiration, dark respiration and CO2 compensation point were very small. The rate of CO2 uptake and the associated resistances were also changed by modifying the light regime and other factors affecting the source-sink balance. Changes in the leaf resistance were not attributable to variations in the internal CO2 concentration or in the water economy of the leaf; its control mechanism remains unexplained. The concentration of soluble sugars in the source leaf was completely unaffected but that of polysaccharides was changed by defruiting and by 50% defoliation. However, variations in the intracellular resistance were not closely related to these changes and there is yet no evidence of the nature of its control mechanism. Changes in both soluble sugars and polysaccharides in the stem were more pronounced than in the leaves.