Abstract
1. Distribution of flower buds and their growth were observed with water sprouts and normal bearing shoots (cv. Okubo) which had developed in the preceding year. The chemical constituents of floral organs on the two kinds of shoot above mentioned were determined one month before blooming and at full bloom.
2. Number of flower buds per unit shoot length was much less on water sprouts than normal bearing shoots.
3. Fresh weight of floral organs one month before blooming and at full bloom were both lighter in water sprouts than normal bearing shoots.
4. Water sprouts bloomed late as compared with normal bearing shoots, showing two days lag at full bloom. Number of stamens per flower, length of a pistil and size of a petal of the former were all inferior to those of the latter.
5. The contents of five major elements and carbohydrates (% dw.) of floral organs on water sprouts were all inferior to those of floral organs on normal bearing shoots. The trend was much remarkable on the contents of N, Ca and non-reducing sugar.
6. The contents of five major elements and carbohydrates (% dw.) of the two kinds of shoot were also determined at the blooming period. Water sprouts contained less N, Ca, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and total sugar than normal bearing shoots. However, no marked differences of P, K, Mg and total carbohydrate contents were found between the two kinds of shoot.
