2.2 Phenotypic and fruit yield assessments
The first six trusses on each plant were tagged and only buds and
flowers on tagged trusses were used to evaluate responses to drought
stress. On each truss, the position of each bud was recorded.
Observations in respect of anther bud development pattern (aborted or
reached anthesis), flower development pattern (aborted or set fruit),
flower and stamen morphology were made commencing the day watering was
suspended, through the stress period to anthesis of the ultimate bud on
each tagged truss after re-watering. Flowering phenology was determined
by counting the number of opened flowers per plant each day. Bud
abortion, fruit set, and flower abortion were expressed as percentages
of number aborted buds, flowers that set fruit and aborted respectively,
to the total number of flower buds that occurred on all tagged trusses
from the time watering was withheld to the time drought stress was
suspended. Flowers were observed at anthesis for any developmental
anomalies and stamen length was determined using digital callipers.
Fruit yield was determined at maturity stage and weighed using digital
balance.