2.10 NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

A number of nutrient deficiencies have been stated to lead to higher rates of respiration during post-harvest storage. At 5 °C, increased rates of respiration were found from deficiencies of nitrogen (3 % increase in respiration rate), potash (133 %), magnesium (34 %), manganese (12 %) and boron (58 %) (Vukov, 1977, Table 179, with reference to Neeb and Grupe (1960), Zucker., 13). Corresponding increases in the rate of sucrose loss during storage could be expected. The extent of the deficiencies is not known.