Gases inside developing cotton bolls (about the size of golf balls) have
been described in "Permanent Gases Inside Healthy and Microbially
Infected Cotton Fruit During Development", Biochem. Biophys. Res. Com.
191: 1284-1287, 1993. Abstract:
Permanent gases inside developing cotton fruit (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
were, by weight, 46% nitrogen, 29% oxygen, 4% argon and 20% carbon
dioxide, whereas plant canopy air assayed at 73% nitrogen, 25% oxygen, 2%
argon and 0.3% carbon dioxide. Light exposure, fruit age, and mild
infection (Erwinia) had no compositional effect but aggressive infection
(Aspergillus) raised carbon dioxide content to 31% by weight and
correspondingly lowered oxygen to 17%. Respiration with oxygen
replenishment except during aggressive infection accounted for the fruit
gas compositions.
I hope this helps with the pumkin gas problem. By the way, Erwinia is a
bacterial genus and Aspergillus a fungus. Also, the compositions were
corrected for humidities.
T. Jacks
ARS, USDA
New Orleans
