Water Potential, Osmotic Potential, and Cell Turgor in Developing European Plums

Neck shrivel is a fruit disorder of european plum ( Prunus domestica L.). We investigate whether an asymmetrical distribution osmolytes might explain the observations turgid stylar end and flaccid stem end, in selection 17 cultivars sourced from two sites. The osmotic potential (Ψ Π ) juices expressed or samples decreased (became more negative) during development. cell turgor P slightly increased development up to 352 ± 42 kPa at 78 days after full bloom (DAFB) 331 51 92 DAFB then decreased. At maturity, Ψ averaged 22 3 4 end. These values are negligibly low compared with very negative (−3188 73 kPa) (−3060 74 kPa). There was transient gradient between that almost disappeared by maturity. Marked differences its were measured across cultivars. In majority (14), than A only detected ‘Aprimira’, ‘Topfive’, ‘Tophit’. Our results demonstrate essentially independent developing plums. most cultivars, absence axial small make both factors unlikely candidates for explaining neck shrivel.