THE ORIGIN OF RUSSETING IN THE GOLDEN RUSSET APPLE

Abstract

About the time of full bloom, many epidermal cells divide by a tangential wall. Later in June all the epidermal cells become vacuolated and some divide again by tangential walls forming a layer varying from two to four cells thick. Early in July a cambium is initiated in the innermost cells of epidermal origin. This cambium is very active and immediately gives off cells which differentiate into cork. Non-russeted portions may have either a very thick convoluted cuticle or a double layer of cuticle. The development of the periderm and the histology of the mature protective layers are illustrated by fifteen figures.