Effects of nitric oxide fumigation on post-harvest core browning in ‘Yali’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) during cold storage

Summary

Core browning often occurs as a physiological disorder in ‘Yali’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) and results in a high losses during storage. In this study, the effects of fumigation with nitric oxide (NO) gas on the incidence of core browning in ‘Yali’ pears during cold storage were investigated. ‘Yali’ pear fruit were treated with 0, 10, 20, or 30 µl l^–1 NO at 25º ± 2ºC for 3 h under anaerobic conditions, then stored at 0º ± 1ºC under normal air for up to 120 d. The data showed that fumigation with 20 µl l^–1 NO was most effective at suppressing core browning. Thereafter, treatment with 20 µl l^–1 NO was used for comparisons with untreated control fruit in experiments to measure changes in total phenolics contents, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, and the contents of glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AsA), and NO in fruit core tissue during storage. The results showed that NO-fumigated fruit had lower PPO activity, but higher GSH and AsA contents in their core tissue compared with untreated control fruit. NO fumigation also maintained higher endogenous NO levels in core tissue after 60 d in storage, while the total phenolics contents of fruit remained at lower levels until day-100 of storage. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of fumigation with

20 µl l^–1 NO on core browning was associated with its effects on reducing PPO activity and total phenolics contents, while maintaining the contents of GSH and AsA in core tissue of ‘Yali’ pear during cold storage.     

微孔膜包装对鸭梨贮藏品质的影响(英文)

鸭梨易受二氧化碳伤害。在目前的贮藏实践中,鸭梨不用保鲜膜包装而使用纸包裹(通常是硫酸纸)。但纸包裹的鸭梨失水严重,果皮很容易起皱,因而有必要开发更适合的贮藏方法。分别以常规LDPE(线性低密度聚乙烯)膜包装和硫酸纸包裹作为对照,研究微孔LDPE膜包装对鸭梨贮藏品质的影响。在整个贮藏过程中,常规LDPE袋中二氧化碳浓度在1.1%～3.2%,而微孔LDPE袋中二氧化碳体积分数在0～0.6%。微孔LDPE袋包装能降低鸭梨的果心、果肉褐变,减少失重和果皮起皱。不同处理的鸭梨总可溶性固形物(TSS)和可滴定酸含量(TA)没有明显差异。因此,采用微孔膜包装贮藏鸭梨比目前使用的纸包装贮藏具有明显的优势。     

Induction of resistance in Yali pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) fruit against postharvest diseases by acibenzolar-S-methyl sprays on trees during fruit growth

The objective of this work was to evaluate how disease resistance in harvested fruit of Yali pears (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) may be affected by acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) sprays on trees. Results showed that disease incidence and lesion diameter in mature pears from trees sprayed with ASM for three times during growth and inoculated with Penicillium expansum or Alternaria alternata after harvest were 27.9 and 42.7%, or 29.1 and 23.4% lower, respectively, than in control fruit 17 days after inoculation. Mature fruit from ASM-treated trees exhibited higher activities of defense enzymes including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase than in control at harvest. In young pears, activities of peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, PAL, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase were significantly enhanced by ASM after first spray on trees. The ASM spray also significantly increased H₂O₂ level and glutathione reductase activity, but reduced activities of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase in young pears. The study indicated that enhancement of disease resistance in harvested Yali pear fruit could be the result of multiple effects of several factors related to plant defenses induced by ASM sprays on trees during fruit growth. Application of ASM in the field holds great promise for controlling postharvest diseases of the fruit.     

Physiological responses and quality attributes of Japanese pear ‘Kosui’ fruit kept in low oxygen atmospheres

Summary

Japanese pear ‘Kosui’ fruits were stored under a continuous flow of 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% O₂ (balance N₂) or air for 7 d at 20°C to study the effects of low O₂ on their physiological responses and quality attributes. Low O₂ treatments did not significantly influence changes in skin colour and soluble solids content. However, weak off-flavours were detected in the fruits stored at 0% O₂ on day 3, and the intensity of these off-flavours increased as storage progressed. The concentrations of acetaldehyde in fruit increased throughout the storage period. The ethanol concentration was greatly increased in fruits stored at 0% O₂. Moreover, ethanol concentrations were much higher than those of acetaldehyde and remained very low during storage in air, but their concentration were just slightly increased in fruits exposed to 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% O₂. Pyruvate decarboxylase activity was greatly increased in fruits exposed to 1% and 3% O₂, while its activity in fruits exposed to 5% and 10% O₂ were only slightly higher than that of the control and at 0% O₂ at the same level as the control. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity greatly increased in fruit exposed to 0%, 1%, 3% and 5% O₂, while at 10% O₂, ADH was only slightly higher than the control. Changes in ADH isozymes correlated well with changes in ADH activity. The homogenate pH of fruits exposed to 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% O₂ and air remained constant, while in fruit stored at 0% O₂ their pH increased. The potential for using low O₂ atmospheres to help in maintaining the quality of Japanese pear ‘Kosui’ is discussed.     

Storability of ‘Conference’ Pear Under Various Controlled Atmospheres

In two consecutive experimental seasons it was investigated the storage capacity of ‘Conference’ pear (Pyrus communis, L.) under regular air (RA) and various controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions during six months at 0?°C (±0.3). The occurrence flesh browning (FB), core browning (CB) and cavity formation (CF) was evaluated at each 2?months storage intervals and the ripening quality traits analyzed immediately at the end of storage period and after 7 days of shelf-life in air at 20?°C. The storage conditions were: RA; 0.5?kPa O₂?+?0.5?kPa CO₂; 1.5?kPa O₂?+?1.5?kPa CO₂, 2.0?kPa O₂?+?1.0?kPa CO₂; 3.0?kPa O₂?+?6.0?kPa CO₂ and 0.5?kPa O₂?+?6.0?kPa CO₂. After six months, ‘Conference’ pear was very susceptible to FB, CB and CF under CA-storage. The damages started to develop at the second month of storage, increasing continuously until end of storage period. At storage end, pear fruits kept under 0.5?kPa O₂?+?6.0?kPa CO₂ showed a dramatic high occurrence of FB, CB and CF with a severity index of 50.6, 45.3 and 27.1, respectively. The lowest incidences of FB, CB and CF were scored in fruits kept at 2.0?kPa O₂?+?1.0?kPa CO₂ with severity indexes of 1.1, 1.1 and 1.0, respectively. Flesh firmness, skin color, titratable acidity and total soluble solids were satisfactory under 2.0?kPa O₂?+?1.0?kPa CO₂. In conclusion, ‘Conference’ pear cannot be stored under O₂ partial pressure lower than 2.0?kPa and CO₂ higher than 0.5?kPa.     

Postharvest Attributes of “Washington Navel” Orange as Affected by Preharvest Foliar Application of Calcium Chloride,Potassium Chloride,and Salicylic Acid

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the effects of preharvest foliar application of calcium chloride (CaCl₂), potassium chloride (KCl), and salicylic acid (SA) on postharvest quantitative and qualitative attributes and storage life of “Washington navel” orange, an experiment was conducted during two consecutive years. Solutions including CaCl₂ (1.5% and 3%), KCl (1.5% and 3%), SA (0.015%, 0.03% and 0.045%), and the combination of CaCl₂, KCl, and SA were sprayed on the canopy at the end of the first stage of fruit growth one month after full bloom (fruit diameter was 20 mm) and repeated in late September. The fruits were harvested at commercial maturity stage and were stored at 5°C with 85 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) for 90 days. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics were assessed every month. Preharvest KCl treatment had no significant effect on measured parameters. However, CaCl₂ and SA treatments had the most impact on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics, such as firmness and phenolic content of fruit during storage. The SA treatment enhanced fruit appearance and nutritional value compared to the control but could not prevent the weight loss during storage. The results showed that preharvest spray of CaCl₂, KCl, SA, and their combination had positive effects on storability of “Washington navel” orange fruit during storage. However, the effect of Ca and SA was more. Application of Ca, K, and SA could be beneficial for orange postharvest instead of mixed elements fertilizers.     

采后ASM诱导处理对鸭梨果实黑霉病的控制

 Acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) 是重要的植物抗病基因诱导剂。鸭梨果实经过负压渗透ASM诱导处理后接种黑霉病(Alternaria alternata) 。结果表明, 0.5 mmol·L ^{- 1} ASM能有效抑制鸭梨果实损伤接种病害和自然侵染病害的发生。ASM处理果实具有较高的苯丙氨酸解氨酶( PAL) 和几丁质酶(CHT) 活性, 积累了较高水平的H₂O₂ 和酚类物质。离体试验表明, ASM不对病原菌生长产生抑制作用。ASM处理对果实病害的抑制作用可能与其增强了果实抗性系统有关。     

Molecular characterisation and expression analysis of a sHSP gene involved in heat shock treatment-induced chilling tolerance in highbush blueberry fruit

Plant small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are abundant and diverse proteins involved in various stresses. In this study, a small heat shock protein gene (VcHSP17.7) encoding a 160-amino acid protein was isolated from the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the VcHSP17.7 is a member of the plant cytosolic class II sHSPs; this finding was supported by the subcellular localisation pattern of a VcHSP17.7-YFP fusion protein. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that the VcHSP17.7 gene was expressed in all analysed tissues. Heat shock experiments were conducted using mature blueberry fruit. The anthocyanin content was lower in heat shock-treated fruit than in control fruit after 14 days of storage at 2°C. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower in heat shock-treated fruit than in control fruit during subsequent low-temperature storage, which indicates that heat shock treatment may have alleviated chilling injury (CI) and enhanced the chilling tolerance of the blueberry fruit. Meanwhile, the expression of VcHSP17.7 in blueberry fruit was induced by heat shock treatment and gradually increased during subsequent low-temperature storage. These results suggest that VcHSP17.7 might be involved in the chilling tolerance of blueberry fruit caused by heat shock treatment.     

Effects of controlled atmosphere,edible coating,and 1-methylcyclopropene on improving storage quality of ‘Bartlett’ pears after long-term storage

Recent trends towards greater fresh market use of ‘Bartlett’ pears has increased the need to extend its storage life to prolong the packing and marketing season in the United States Pacific Northwest region. Sixteen and 38%, respectively, of control fruit developed senescence disorders following 5 and 6 months of storage at ?1.1°C. Commercial standard controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (O₂ at 1.5 kPa and CO₂ < 1 kPa) or edible coating (Semperfresh?, SF) prevent the appearance of senescence disorders for 5 months, but 9% and 16% of fruit, respectively, developed senescence disorders after 6 months. The combination of CA+SF completely inhibited senescence disorders for 6 months. Treatment with CA and SF, alone or in combination, maintained high-storage quality and developed ripening capacity with characteristic melting texture during storage. Senescence disorders were inhibited for 6 months by 0.3 µL l^?1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), alone or combination with CA or CA+SF. In part these pears developed ripening capacity after 6 months of storage. The combination of CA+SF+1-MCP maintained the highest storage quality with dark green colour and hard firmness, which might be associated and proportional with reductions in ethylene synthesis and respiration rate after long-term storage.     

Biodiversity in Indigenous Germplasm of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus </Emphasis>from Pakistan Based on Phenotypical and Morphological Traits

A comprehensive analysis of various horticulturally important morphological traits of sixty pear accessions located in five districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan) was carried out. Several qualitative and quantitative traits were investigated in situ and after the harvesting of leaf and fruit samples. The rich diversity was observed for qualitative traits (i.?e. growth habit, blooming time, intensity of flowering, fruit setting, ripening time, productivity, and fruit shape and color) among pear accessions. As for the quantitative traits, significant variation was observed for leaf area (8.96–27.17 cm²), flowering duration (11–24 days), fruit weight (68.1–322.3 g), average fruit length (2.68–9.87 cm) and average fruit width (1.82–8.12 cm) between pear accessions. Based on qualitative and quantitative data, two dendograms were constructed by using cluster analysis which separated pear accessions into three distinct groups. The cluster analysis showed considerable differences between the accessions for qualitative and quantitative traits. Furthermore, a close association between accessions was noted inside the clusters for qualitative and quantitative traits. The results showed rich diversity and similarity between the pear accessions and needs further assessment at molecular level to elucidate their phylogenetic relationship.     

鸭梨的种植技术

鸭梨在我国种植广阔,因果实脆嫩、富含汁水和营养价值高而深受消费者喜爱。本文在总结鸭梨生长环境要求的基础上,进一步分析了在鸭梨种植栽培过程中梨园修建、定植技术及土壤改良等方面的技术要点,旨在进一步提升鸭梨的种植水平,实现鸭梨种植的高产量和高品质。     

Maintenance of fresh boysenberry fruit quality with UV-C light and heat treatments combined with low storage temperature

Summary

Mature boysenberries (Rubus hybrid) were harvested, heat-treated (45°C for 1 or 3 h or 47°C for 1 h) or exposed to UV-C light (2.3, 4.6 or 9.2 kJ m^–2), and stored at 20°C for 2 d. Fruit treated with 9.2 kJ m^–2 or 45°C for 1 h showed less damaged drupelets per fruit and/or remained firmer than untreated fruit after 2 d. Those treatments were selected for further analyses. In another experiment, boysenberries were either UV-C (9.2 kJ m^–2) or heat-treated (45°C for 1 h) and stored either at 20°C for 1 d or at 0°C for 4 d before transfer to 20°C for 1 d. Both UV-C and heat treatments reduced softening and/or fruit damage. Treated fruit had lower respiration rates and anthocyanin leakage than control fruit suggesting greater tissue integrity. Titratable acidity, pH, total sugar content and antioxidant activity in treated fruit showed fewer changes than in control fruit when stored at 20°C for 1 d. Results suggest that heat or UV-C treatment, alone or in combination with refrigerated storage, may be a useful non-chemical mean of maintaining boysenberry fruit quality and extending postharvest life.     

Mechanische Fruchtbehangsregulierung verringerte den Junifruchtfall und verbesserte die Fruchtqualität und Fruchtgröße bei ‚Conference‘- und ‚Alexander Lucas‘-Birnen

In the absence of any chemicals approved for thinning pears but market demand for large particularly cv. ‘Conference’ fruit, the objective of the present study as part of a MSC thesis was to improve fruit quality i.e. achieve these fruit sizes by mechanical blossom thinning. Therefore, 18-year-old cv. ‘Conference’ pear trees, trained as super spindles, on quince A rootstock with a spacing of 4?×?0.4 m were used in Klein-Altendorf near Bonn, Germany; cv. ‘A. Lucas’ and un-thinned trees served as control. These pear trees with intense flowering were blossom-thinned on 15 April 2009 with rotor speeds of either 300 rpm or 400 rpm both at 5 km/h tractor speed with the new mechanical thinning device developed at the University of Bonn in 2004–2006. Therein, a vertical mast supports three horizontal rotors, whose vertically rotating tines remove excessive flowers; the device is mounted on the front three point hitch of the tractor. In 2009, a year with severe June drop, mechanical thinning reduced the intensity of the natural June drop with increasing rotor speed and was stronger reduced in cv. ‘A. Lucas’ (by ?38%) than in cv. ‘Conference’ (by ?27% relative to the control). In cv. ‘A. Lucas’, the natural June drop was as strong as mechanical thinning and resulted in large-sized 80 mm pear fruit in the control; mechanical thinning with 400 rpm further increased fruit mass by 16 g relative to the un-thinned control or 6 g larger than in the thinning with 300 rpm. In cv. ‘Conference’, fruit fell within the next larger fruit size class after the stronger mechanical thinning with 400 rpm at 5 km/h: the portion of pear fruit in the 75/80 mm size class was 2 fold and in the 80/85 mm size class was 6 fold that in the control. The portion of <?60, 60/65 mm and 65/70 mm fruit was halved relative to the control; the average fruit mass was increased by 40 g. Vegetative growth appeared unaffected by mechanical thinning. The risk of both over-sized fruit and over-thinning appears small, since mechanical thinning reduced the natural June drop and did not induce subsequent fruit drop. Mechanical thinning was more efficient in cv. ‘Conference’, as intended, despite more intense flowering in cv. ‘A Lucas’. An economic evaluation proved difficult, since the natural June drop particularly in cv. ‘A. Lucas’ led to large-sized fruit (80 mm) in the control, and any (mechanical) thinning is associated with lower yields (?26% in cv. ‘Conference’ and ?12% in cv. ‘A. Lucas’). Overall, the results indicate the potential of mechanical thinning as a substitute (or combination partner for chemical thinning if approved) in pear.     

A coating composed of chitosan and Cymbopogon citratus (Dc. Ex Nees) essential oil to control Rhizopus soft rot and quality in tomato fruit stored at room temperature

This study evaluated the efficacy of the combined application of chitosan (CHI) and Cymbopogon citratus (Dc. Ex Nees) (lemongrass) essential oil (CCEO) to control Rhizopus stolonifer in fresh tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit at room temperature (25°C) storage. The effects of the treatment (CHI and CCEO) on some quality characteristics of the fruit, namely weight loss, firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, ascorbic acid, color, and sensory acceptability were also assessed. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of CHI and CCEO against R. stolonifer were 8 mg/mL and 5 µL/mL, respectively. Subinhibitory concentrations of CHI and CCEO (CHI 4 mg/mL, CCEO 1.25 µL/mL), alone and in combination, inhibited fungal spore germination and damaged spore membrane integrity. The CHI-CCEO coating decreased the severity of Rhizopus soft rot in tomato fruit; however, the coating more strongly delayed the infection when the fruit were artificially contaminated after coating application. The application of the coating preserved the general quality of tomato fruit as measured using a variety of physicochemical and sensory attributes. These results indicate that coatings composed of CHI and CCEO could represent promising postharvest treatments to inhibit Rhizopus soft rot in tomato fruit.     

Cell wall metabolism of pear fruit on the tree after 2,4-DP treatment

Summary

The effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-propionic acid (2,4-DP) on fruit ripening on the tree was investigated in `La France' pears (Pyrus communis L.). Forty-five ppm, 2,4-DP solution was applied at 159 d after full bloom (DAFB), which was optimum harvest date for `La France' pears. They were compared with fruit harvested at 159 DAFB and placed in a controlled room with a 208C and 90% r.h. After harvest, the fruit firmness decreased dramatically 13 d after harvest (DAH). In 2,4±DP treatment, the levels decreased gradually 13 d after treatment (172 DAFB). In the untreated control, the levels also showed a slight decrease with time. Final ethylene concentration was almost the same in harvested and 2,4-DP treated fruit, but lower in the untreated control. In each treatment, water-soluble polyuronide (WSP) concentrations increased with time and hexametaphosphate-soluble polyuronide (HMP) and HCl-soluble polyuronide (HP) concentrations decreased. WSP concentration increased rapidly 20 DAH in harvested fruit and 194 DAFB in 2,4-DP treatment. Harvested and 2,4-DP treated fruit reached the edible condition on 17 DAH and 194 DAFB, respectively. Pectinesterase (PE) activity increased slightly with time for all treatments, showing no significant difference between treatments. Polygalacturonase (PG) activity increased gradually in all cases, being higher in 2,4-DP treated fruit than in control fruit left on the tree. These results suggest that 2,4-DP treatment before harvest induces pear fruit softening. This implies that 2,4-DP may be used as a replacement for low-temperature storage to promote the ripening, and good quality ripe fruit with buttery and juicy texture may be harvested on the tree.     

MaCDPK7, a calcium-dependent protein kinase gene from banana is involved in fruit ripening and temperature stress responses

Calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) is an important Ca²⁺ sensor in plant development and responses to stress stimuli. Banana fruit is a typical climacteric- and chilling-sensitive fruit. The roles of CDPK genes in the ripening and chilling response of banana fruit are unclear. We isolated a cDNA fragment with full-length coding MaCDPK7 (HM061075) from fruit peel tissue. Induction of MaCDPK7 expression in fruit peel was observed 0.5 h after phytohormone ethylene treatment, earlier than the up-regulation of MaACO1 and MaACS1, coding a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase, respectively. Penetration of calcium signaling blockers, EGTA, or LaCl₃ inhibited the ripening and gene expression of MaCDPK7, MaACO1, and MaACS1 in the in vitro cultured peel pieces, but Ca²⁺ application removed the inhibitory effect of EGTA and LaCl₃. This suggested that MaCDPK7 might be a positive regulator involved in the calcium signaling in banana fruit ripening. Under temperature stresses, we found that MaCDPK7 gene expression increased 3 h after hot water dipping (HWD). The HWD-treated fruits exhibited markedly less chilling injury (CI) than control fruits in cold storage. Stored at 7°C (CI temperature) dramatically increased MaCDPK7 gene expression, while pre-treatment of HWD repressed the induction in cold storage. These results show that the MaCDPK7 gene is involved in regulating banana fruit ripening and chilling resistance induced by heat treatment.     

Effect of calcium dissolved in slightly acidic electrolyzed water on antioxidant system,calcium distribution,and cell wall metabolism of peach in relation to fruit browning

To improve storage of peach fruit, the effect of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) dissolved without and with Ca(NO₃)₂ (at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2%) on fruit browning, antioxidant system, tissue Ca²⁺ content and distribution, metabolism of cell wall polysaccharides, and related modifying enzymes was evaluated at 25°C for 8 d. Results showed that Ca(NO₃)₂ and SAEW had synergistic effects on reducing ethylene production, respiration rates, and browning index; inhibiting the accumulation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation, and polyphenol oxidase activity; maintaining fruit firmness and higher levels of phenolic compounds, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants; increasing tissue Ca²⁺ content and distribution; and delaying the disassembly of cell wall polysaccharides and activities of cell wall-modifying enzymes. These results revealed that 1% Ca(NO₃)₂ in SAEW treatment has potential as a commercial cleaning process to extend fruit life, through suppressing browning and solubilization of pectin, protecting the antioxidant system, and facilitating Ca²⁺ absorption.     

不同浓度NaCl处理对鸭梨叶片多胺代谢的影响

以鸭梨枝条为试材,研究盐胁迫下鸭梨叶片内多胺含量的变化。结果表明:随处理NaCl浓度的上升,鸭梨叶片内ADC活性明显上升,盐浓度过高时(150 mmol/L)酶活性不再上升。ODC活性明显低于ADC,盐处理前后活性变化不明显。TGase活性随处理盐浓度的上升呈上升趋势,盐浓度过高时活性略有下降。多胺氧化酶活性在盐处理后明显被激活,盐浓度过高时活性略有下降。随处理盐浓度的上升,游离Put含量和Spd含量明显上升,随处理盐浓度的提高含量逐渐下降;盐处理前后Spm含量变化不明显。结合态多胺总量在低浓度盐处理时含量上升,盐浓度过高时明显下降。     

Obstkonsum in China �C Anbau, Angebot und Preise

As a Northern hemisphere fruit producer, China??s harvest time overlaps with that in Europe and the US and has been dominating the worldwide fruit market. Prices and sources of fruit in China were examined in supermarkets in Beijing in May 2011 and combined with the official Chinese Agricultural Yearbook to analyse China??s fruit industry:

1. China has become the world??s no 1 for apple (25?C30 mil. t), pear (13.5 mil. t) and Citrus (23 mil. t) production based on the Chinese statistical agricultural yearbook (2009), and no. 3 for strawberry (0.65?C0.8 mil. t), with an overall fruit production of 105?C113 mil. t/year and a tendency to increase domestic fruit production and consumption.
2. Fruit acreages, reported in 2009, were 2 mil. ha for apple, 1 mil. ha for pear (inclu-ding Nashi) and 2 mil. ha for Citrus and 0.083 mil. ha for strawberry totalling 10.7 mil. ha for fruit production in China, with a tendency towards slightly decreasing orchard acreage. The average farm size was ?£?0.5 ha.
3. Fruit consumption in China was calculated as 18?C21 kg apple/head/year, 10.1 kg pear/head/year (incl. Nashi) and 77?C81 kg fruit/head/year based on 1.33 billion inhabitants and production data; this is a rise in domestic fruit consumption from 45 kg in 2002/2003 to 77?C83 kg fruit/head/year in 2008/2009.
4. Jujube fruit yielded a farm gate price of 1.20 ?/kg and cv. ??Fuji?? apple 0.55 ?/kg (5 Yuan) as for most pome and stone fruit (with higher prices in the farm shop), which doubled to 1.10 ?/kg after sea export from Qingdao harbour to Rotterdam.
5. Prices for Chinese cv. ??Fuji?? apples in Beijing supermarkets ranged from ? 0.84/kg for a poor class II to ? 2.80/kg for class I fruit. Three (??Red Delicious??, ??Gala?? and ??Granny Smith??) out of five apple varieties on sale out-of-season in China??s Capital were imported from the US or Chile, with higher prices ranging from ? 3.25 for imported cv. ??Gala??, 4.15 ?/kg for ??Red Delicious?? to ? 4.90 for cv. ??Granny Smith??.
6. The Chinese viz Asian taste prefers large, juicy and sweet, red or yellow fruit with little acidity and smooth skin viz peel finish. Surprisingly, ??Granny Smith?? apples were sold as ??green apples?? without variety name at the highest price of all apple varieties.