Effect of Differences between Day/Night Temperature during the Early Shoot Growth Period on Shoot Elongation and Fruit Growth in the Japanese Pear ‘Gold-Nijisseiki’

Abstract

We investigated the effects of differences between day and night air temperatures (DIF) during 40 days after full bloom on shoot elongation and fruit growth of Japanese pear ‘Gold-Nijisseiki’. Although the average air temperature was almost the same throughout the period, a higher DIF increased the percentage of new shoot growth from the lateral buds on one-year-old branches. A higher DIF also reduced fruit growth and maturation. These findings indicate that controlling air temperature during the early growing stage can control new shoot and fruit growth of Japanese pear.