Changes in contents of endogenous hormones and main mineral elements in oil-tea camellia fruit during maturation.

In order to clarify the changes in contents of endogenous hormones and main mineral elements in oil-tea camellia fruit during maturation, we measured the contents of endogenous hormones (ABA, IAA, GA3, ZR) and main elements including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and manganese during the late development and maturation of Camellia oleifera Abel. cv. ‘Changlin 4’ fruit and discussed their relationships with fruit development and oil accumulation in seeds. The results showed that the changes of fruit weight presented an s-shaped curve during the late developmental period of oil-tea camellia fruit, and the oil synthesis and accumulation in abundance ocuurred after the great increase of fruit weight. The contents of endogenous ABA and IAA were higher than those of ZR and GA in oil-tea camellia fruits. The contents of endogenous ABA, IAA and GA in seeds were higher than those in pericarp before 255 days after full bloom. Then the contents of endogenous IAA, GA and ZR in pericarp became higher, accompanied with fruit development and maturation after 255 days after full bloom. And the changes of endogenous IAA, GA3 and ZR contents in pericarp were consistent with the rapid increase of fruit weight in the late period of fruit development. A peak of endogenous ABA content in seeds appeared 255 days after full bloom before the start of oil accumulation in seeds, which maybe play an important role in oil accumulation and maturation of oil-tea camellia fruit. In addition, the nitrogen and phosphorus contents in pericarp showed a trend of increasing during fruit expansion, while nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and manganese contents in seeds decreased apparently in the meantime. The nitrogen and phosphorus contents decreased, while potassium and manganese contents increased in pericarp with the decrease of potassium and manganese contents in seeds during the oil accumulation in seeds. Therefore, the changes and transfer of mineral elements occurred between pericarp and seeds during the late development of oil-tea camellia and it might also be in favor of oil accumulation in seeds.