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CHAPTER 15
Effect of Exogenous
Bioregulators
on the Mineral
Composition and
Storability of Fruits
Alina Basak
Plant Bioregulators Department
Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture
Skierniewice, Poland
15.1 Introduction
One of the characteristics determining the quality of fruits is their min-
eral composition. Of special importance here is the element calcium. It
is the most important factor in delaying the aging process and thus the
ripening of the fruit. Calcium deficiency in fruits, as well as incorrect
ratios of the calcium content to that of other elements, mainly K, Mg,
and N, are the cause of physiological diseases of fruit in storage.
Calcium uptake and its transport within a plant is a complex pro-
cess. Various environmental and agrotechnical factors have an effect
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on that process. Bioregulators (BRs) are one such factor. The mineral
composition of plants depends both on exogenous BRs (delivered to
the plant from outside) and endogenous BRs (i.e., hormones produced
naturally by the plant). At the same time, the activity of endogenous
BRs is controlled by the mineral elements delivered from outside. 67
BRs are known to have an effect on a number of physiological
processes taking place during the acquisition of mineral nutrients
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