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SummaryThe mean absolute growth rates (over 101 and 121 days) of the roots, stem and leaves of tomato plants were little affected by root pruning or by the time of the year from November to May inclusive. The increase in the growth rates of the entire plant during the summer was largely accounted for by an increase in the growth rates of the inflorescences and fruits. Restricting the extent of the root system by root pruning had little effect on the partition of the dry matter between the component parts of the tomato plant, including the root system. Thus the benefit to the first inflorescences of early-sown tomato plants, which results from keeping their roots confined in pots, cannot be attributed to a restriction of root extension per se.

SummaryAn adequate supply of oxygen, to maintain aerobic metabolism, is essential during the storage of apples. One of the recommended conditions for storing Cox’s Orange Pippin apples is in 1.8 to 2.5% oxygen; sometimes this is attained by admitting nitrogen to the store. Inaccurate estimation of the oxygen content of the store can result in the fruit being deprived of oxygen and in the accumulation of alcohol in the tissues. If aerobic conditions are re-established, the alcohol content of the fruit decreases, but if the concentration is of the order of 200 mg alcohol/100 g fruit the apples become senescent before they lose the alcoholic flavour.It has been suggested elsewhere that a preliminary anaerobic phase, lasting for a week at 3.5 °C, leads to improved turn-out of apples from C.A. storage. For the English cultivars tested this has not proved to be the case. Accidental or deliberate anaerobiosis is detrimental in other respects, apart from the accumulation of alcohol; losses from rotting are increa...