Relationship between calcium content change and endogenous hormones in flesh and seeds of pear

Huanghua pear (Pyrus pyrifolia NaKai) was used as experimental material to make clear the relationship (between) the calcium content change and endogenous hormones in flesh and seeds of pear. IAA, GA3, ZR, ABA contents in seeds and flesh of pear were determined using high performance liquid chromatographic method, and calcium content was measured using atom absorption spectrometric method. The results showed that the changing trend of calcium content in flesh and seeds was different. In the process of growth of pear fruit, calcium content in flesh decreased, while it (increased) in seeds. Expanding stage of pear fruit was a critical stage in which calcium decreased and increased rapidly in flesh and seeds, respectively. At the same time, GA3 content reached the peak in flesh and seeds. The coefficients of correlations between calcium and IAA, GA3, ZR and ABA content in flesh were 0.77, 0.39, 0.72 and 0.77, (respectively,) and coefficients between calcium and IAA, GA3, ZR and ABA content in seeds were -0.73, -0.22, (-0.08) and 0.57, while coefficients between calcium in flesh, IAA, GA3, ZR and ABA content in seeds were -0.39, 0.23, -0.20 and -0.50, and that between calcium in seeds, IAA, GA3, ZR, ABA content in flesh were -0.73, (-0.22), -0.08 and 0.57. Correlations between calcium and IAA content in flesh, calcium and IAA content in seeds, calcium and ZR content in flesh, calcium and ABA content in flesh had higher coefficients. The accumulation of calcium in flesh and seeds should result from the conjunct effects of many hormones.