Effects of canopy microclimate on fruit yield and quality of Camellia oleifera

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between environmental factors and the fruit yield, quality, and tree structure of Camellia oleifera by studying the relationship between the canopy microclimate, fruit yield, and fruit quality. The distributions of environmental factors over a year, and fruit yield and quality at fruit maturity in the canopy were investigated by measuring the differences between the inner canopy of the lower layer, outer canopy of the lower layer, inner canopy of the middle layer, outer canopy of the middle layer, inner canopy of the upper layer, and outer canopy of the upper layer. Light intensity was significantly different in the various layers, but there were no significant changes in temperature and relative humidity. Fruit yield and quality were related to light intensity, which improved from bottom to top and from the inner to outer canopy. They had positive correlations with the annual average light intensity and temperature, but were inversely associated with the annual average relative humidity. The fruit yield and oil content ratio in fresh fruit varied between the inside of the bottom to the outside of the top canopy. Yield and quality of fruit between July and October had higher mean correlation coefficients with light intensity (r = 0.807), temperature (r = 0.812) and relative humidity (r = −0.863). Additionally, regression equations between fruit characteristics and the canopy microclimate between July and October could be used evaluate the fruit yield and quality.