Effect of fruiting on carbon budgets of apple tree canopies

Abstract

Carbon budgets were calculated from net photosynthesis and dark respiration measurements for canopies of field-grown, 3-year-old apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) with maximum leaf areas of 5.4 m2 in a temperature-controlled Perspex tree chamber, measured in situ over 2 years (July 1988 to October 1990) by computerized infrared gas analysis using a dedicated interface and software. Net photosynthesis (Pn) and carbon assimilation per leaf area peaked at respectively 8.3 and 7.7 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 in April. Net photosynthesis (Pn) and dark respiration (Rd) per tree peaked at 3.6 g CO2 tree−1 h−1 (Pn) and 1.2 g CO2 tree−1 h−1 (Rd), equivalent to 4.2 μmol CO2 (Pn) and 1.4 μmol CO2 (Rd) m−2 s−1 with maximum carbon gain per tree in August and maximum dark respiration per tree in October 1988 and 1989. In May 1990, a tree was deblossomed. Pn (per tree) of the fruiting apple tree canopy exceeded that of the non-fruiting tree by 2–2.5 fold from June to August 1990, attributed to reduced photorespiration (RI), and resulting in a 2-fold carbon gain of the fruiting over the non-fruiting tree. Dark respiration of the fruiting tree canopy progressively exceeded, with increasing sink strength of the fruit, by 51% (June–August), 1.4-fold (September) and 2-fold (October) that of the non-fruiting tree due to leaf (i. e. not fruit) respiration to provide energy (a) to produce and maintain the fruit on the tree and (b) thereafter to facilitate the later carbohydrate translocation into the woody perennial parts of the tree. The fruiting tree reached its optium carbon budget 2–4 weeks earlier (August) then the non-fruiting tree (September 1990). In the winter, the trunk respired 2–100 g CO2 month−1 tree−1. These data represent the first long-term examination of the effect of fruiting without fruit removal which shows increased dark respiration and with the increase progressing as the fruit developed.