Fig. 4

Phenotypic observations and histological features of ‘Dangshansu’ fruitlets 6 days after exposure to different treatments. A–D phenotypes of UP, HP, and GA₃- and GA₄-treated ‘Dangshansu’ fruitlets at 6 DAA, respectively; E–H histological observations of UP, HP, and GA₃- and GA₄-treated ‘Dangshansu’ fruitlets at 6 DAA, respectively; I quantification of the total thicknesses of the fleshy calyxes in treated ‘Dangshansu’ pear; J quantification of the internal and external thicknesses of the fleshy calyxes in treated ‘Dangshansu’ pear; K the cell areas of the internal and external fleshy calyxes in ‘Dangshansu’ pear. EC, External calyx (zone between the epidermis and the vascular bundle); IC, Internal calyx (zone inside the vascular bundle). Three fruitlets of each treatment were sampled for quantification. Error bars represent the standard deviation of the mean (± SDs; n = 12). Significant differences (P < 0.05) among treatments as determined by a one-way ANOVA are indicated using different lowercase letters