3. Results
3.1. Effect of temperature on fruit set and fruit growth
Because results from the two trials were similar, only the
2004 data for RGR and fresh weight of the first inflorescence, as
well as the 2004 data for all parameters measured in the second
inflorescence are presented since these are from the original
experiment.
The number of inflorescences, flowers, and fruits were lower
at 30/25 8C than at 23/18 8C in both cultivars (Tables 1 and 2).
Results were consistent for both years, although ‘Nyoho’
produced more flowers and fruits in 2006 than in 2004 in both
temperature treatments. ‘Nyoho’ produced more inflorescences,
flowers, and fruits than ‘Toyonoka’. In ‘Nyoho’, no significant
difference was found in the percentage of fruit set between 30/
25 8C and 23/18 8C. However, the percentage of fruit set in
‘Toyonoka’ was significantly lower at 30/25 8C than at 23/18 8C
in both years. A significant interaction between temperature and
cultivar was found in the percentage of fruit set.
The number of days to fruit ripening was significantly lower
at 30/25 8C than at 23/18 8C in both cultivars (Table 3), but no
significant differences in cultivar response were observed,
except for tertiary fruits in 2004. The number of days to
ripening increased with fruit position, especially at higher
temperatures.
The fresh weight of fruits from the primary, secondary, and
tertiary positions was significantly greater at 23/18 8C than at
30/25 8C in both cultivars (Table 4). There were no significant
differences between cultivars in the fresh weight of primary and
secondary fruits. A significant difference in cultivar response
was observed in tertiary fruits, and the interaction between