Ruitvorming

Ruitvorming is the process in plants by which a fertilized flower develops into a fruit containing seeds. It begins after pollination and fertilization, when the ovary enlarges and tissue differentiates to form the fruit. In many crops the initial enlargement is referred to as fruit set, but ruitvorming encompasses the subsequent growth and maturation of the fruit.

The process involves cell division and cell expansion within the ovary, leading to changes in size, texture, and composition as the fruit develops. Ruitvorming continues through the stages of growth until the fruit reaches its final size and ripens. The timing and success of ruitvorming are influenced by genetic factors (cultivar), environmental conditions (temperature, light, water availability), and the physiological status of the plant.

Several factors can promote or limit ruitvorming. Adequate pollination and fertilization are prerequisites for successful fruit formation. Environmental stress, such as drought, extreme temperatures, or nutrient deficiencies, can cause fruit abortion or reduced fruit size. Hormonal signals, particularly auxins and gibberellins produced in seeds or the fruit, regulate the onset and progression of ruitvorming, while ethylene and abscisic acid influence later maturation and ripening.

In horticulture, management practices aimed at optimizing ruitvorming include selecting suitable cultivars, ensuring favorable growing conditions during flowering, protecting plants from stress, and sometimes thinning flowers or young fruits to balance crop load and improve quality. Some crops are prone to biennial bearing, where heavy fruiting in one year reduces formation in the next, a challenge addressed through cultural practices that distribute yield more evenly.