Total Soluble Sugars in Root and Stem of Wichita and Western Carya Illinoinensis Varieties in Northern Mexico

Abstract The aim of the current study was to determine the monthly total soluble sugar concentration in the stem and root of the Wichita and Western walnut (Carya illinoinensis) varieties during a productive cycle in northern Mexico. Vegetable samples were obtained using a systematic sampling method, and processed by means of a spectrophotometric assay to determine the total soluble sugars (TSS) concentration in productive walnut trees. Data analysis was performed by means of a 2-way ANOVA. The results of the TSS concentration had differences throughout the months of an annual productive cycle, and were also different between the evaluated walnut varieties. The highest total soluble sugar concentration in stem and root were in the lowest temperature months, and it decreases in both tissues when the environmental temperature rises. The Wichita variety had a higher total soluble sugar concentration than the Western in every month during the productive cycle. Further research is required to assess the effect of other type of factors including environmental or agronomic over the dynamics of the total soluble sugars in productive walnut trees.