Permanent Gases Inside Healthy and Microbially Infected Cotton Fruit during Development

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.