Re: Dill rings

>> Are Dill rings genetic or caused by poor growing practices?



Kathie,

Good topic, I'm sure this will get the list hopping.

My own opinion (and I accept other's opinions) is that it's mostly, if not all, environmental. That is, I doubt there is a gene somewhere that says, "Please cause an internal fracture here."

Then again, certain factors, such as the explosive rate of growth, would tend to cause more Dill rings. But these are genetic traits that we want! Dill rings might not necessarily be "poor" growing practices... until the fruit splits.  Then it is bad. 

I would say, uneven watering, uneven fertilization, swings in temperature, and stresses where the fruit lies on the ground are major factors. Stresses, such as if the fruit is grown on a bed of sand, it has a chance to slide along as it grows, vs. other materials where the fruit begins to grow unevenly because at certain points on the ground, the fruit can't move.

On the other hand, I suppose certain genetic things in the flesh of the fruit, might effect the density of the flesh and consequently lend to fractures. I'm thinking of a seed I grew years ago.... it was a 922 Emmons, I think. At the time the 922 harvested for an early weighoff and 922 was amazing in that day. But nearly all of the 922 seeds that were grown out from that fruit, they all exploded or went down early. These fruits grew so quickly that their growth could not be sustained. So, in that case it seems like a genetic thing.

Does all this mean that I don't know? 

Cliff
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