North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["William C. Garthright" <billg@inebraska.com>]

> A study was just published on that.  BAsically, the reesearcher found 
> that the red dye was there as a sunscreen to protect the leaves after 
> chlorophyll was broken down.  The tree uses energy (sugar) to make the 
> dye, in exchance for keeping the leaves alive while nitrogen is 
> salvaged for next year.
>  
> The study claimed that in trees that sometimes, but not always show 
> red leaves, it is an indicator of nitrogen stress.
>  
> LINK:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071025112042.htm


Wow, great link! I learn so much from this NAFEX list!

Thanks for posting it.

Bill
Lincoln, NE

--
I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, 
and do not find in our particular superstition one redeeming feature. 
They are all alike, founded upon fables and mythologies. - President 
Thomas Jefferson