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Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

Just an idea to throw around... do drastic changes in atmospheric pressure affect fruit growth due to the pressure of the air inside the cavity of our fruits. As there is a great difference of pressure between the atmosphere and the inner cavity, would this thus enhance the conditions to cause dill rings, stem splits into the cavity, and blossom splits. I wonder if the drasttic and constant changes in pressure on certain given days or weeks with variable or drastic climatic changes such as drastic drops in pressure with a strong cold front going through maybe somewhat contribute to our all to common problem of the split.And then a momentous surge in atmospheric pressure due to a strong high setting into place would Maybe enhance the conditions of a split even worse, due to the pressure differences being unable to equalize at a resonable rate to hold the fruit consistency at it's normal rate of growth.....I am also sure temperature fluctions play a drastic role in the development of the fruit also......Just a thought.......JK

9/6/2004 4:14:35 AM

Springfield, MO

I think this would have to be tested under experimental conditions in a pressure-controlled chamber. Temperature fluctuations in the natural environment would always be a confounding factor. My gut feeling is that it would take a rapid drastic pressure fluctuation, such as that associated with a tornadic vortex, to really affect the fruit. Of course if you got a tornado in your patch, you've got more than pressure trouble! I don't personally think atmospheric pressure could rise quickly enough with the passage of a front to cause the troubles you mention. Just my 2 cents...Chris

9/7/2004 10:14:44 PM