Soil and rootstock influence on fruit quality of plums (Prunus domestica L.)

Soil and rootstock can particularly affect the ‘Rainha Claudia Verde’ (Prunus domestica) fruit quality, mainly its firmness characteristics. To investigate the variation in fruit quality, plums were harvested at commercial maturity from trees grafted on Marianna GF8-1 (Prunus cerasifera × munsoniana) and Marianna GF10-2 (P. cerasifera × munsoniana) rootstocks on two different soils: Haplic Luvisol and Vertic Luvisol. After harvest fruits were stored at 2 °C for 3 weeks. At the harvest day a small group of fruits were analysed without cold storage. During storage fruits were tested for firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity and fruit mineral content. Tree vigour was evaluated from trunk cross-sectional areas values.The GF8-1 rootstock promoted the highest vegetative development, comparing to GF10-2. This rootstock promoted the largest fruits size and the higher calcium fruit level. Positive correlations were found between higher concentrations of calcium in the pulp fruits and firmness. Fruits from two different rootstocks showed the same firmness at harvest but during cold storage, fruits from GF10-2 rootstock exhibited the highest firmness pulp values. There weren’t significant differences in fruit nitrogen and potassium levels for any studied factor.At harvest solids soluble content and solids soluble content/titratable acidity ratio weren’t affected by soil type or rootstock. As expected, solids soluble content during cold storage increased and solids soluble content/titratable acidity had a slight increase.GF10-2 revealed to be a good option as a ‘Rainha Claudia Verde’ rootstock for plums growers due to its intermediate-vigour. Also GF10-2 fruits presented better quality during storage comparing with GF8-1.     

Relationships between strawberry fruit quality attributes and crop load

Crop load can influence fruit quality in several horticultural species. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of calcium on crop quality traits in three short-day strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars (‘Ventana’, ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Candonga’) and to assess the relationships between crop load and quality parameters. The studies were conducted using a hydroponic system in a greenhouse. Calcium was added as Ca(NO₃)₂ at 2 mM, 3 mM, 4 mM and 5 mM. A completely randomized block design (4 Ca concentrations × 3 cultivars) with three replicates was used. Each replicate consisted of 12 plants grown in polyethylene bags (100 cm × 18 cm × 3 cm) filled with coconut peat. Titratable acidity, total soluble solids and firmness were measured throughout the experimental period. Calcium application had no effect on fruit quality attributes but the genotype effect was clear. At the end of the experiment (28th May, 2008), titratable acidity was positively related to the fresh weight of above-ground biomass and number of leaves respectively in the ‘Ventana’ and ‘Camarosa’ cultivars. Higher values of total soluble solids were found at low crop load in ‘Ventana’ but in ‘Camarosa’ this relation was not found. In ‘Candonga’, higher total soluble solids were linked to crop load. In ‘Ventana’, titratable acidity significantly decreased as crop load increased, and in ‘Camarosa’ high values of titratable acidity were found at different values of crop load. ‘Ventana’ seemed to be more sensitive to the effects of crop load patterns. Genotype was an important factor in determining fruit quality parameters.     

Putrescine and carnauba wax pretreatments alleviate chilling injury,enhance shelf life and preserve pomegranate fruit quality during cold storage

Keeping in mind to reduce chilling injury and retain quality; pomegranate (Punica granatum L., cv. Mridula) fruits were treated with putrescine, carnauba wax and putrescine + carnauba wax prior to cold storage at 2 °C. Before analyzing physical, physiological and biochemical parameters fruits were subjected to post cold storage exposure at 20 °C for 3 days. Untreated fruits developed rapidly chilling injury, with main symptoms being brown discolouration of the skin, surface pitting, weight and firmness loss during storage. All these undesirable changes were significantly delayed by putrescine + carnauba wax application. Respiration and ethylene evolution rate were also brought down by combined application of putrescine and carnauba wax treatment. The superiority of combine treatment over other applications seems arises due to additive benefit of antisenescence and barrier properties of putrescine and carnauba wax, respectively.     

Post-harvest putrescine treatments extend the storage-life of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) ‘Tokhm-sefid’ fruit

Summary

The aim of this study was primarily to increase the storability of apricot which is normally a very short storage-life stone fruit. Polyamines are well-known to improve the storability of many horticultural crops. The effect of exogenously applied putrescine on the post-harvest storage-life of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) ‘Tokhm-sefid’ fruit at 2°C was therefore investigated. The rate of ethylene production, fresh weight (FW) loss, tissue firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), and the pH of fruit were determined 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 d after the beginning of storage. Overall, the application of putrescine caused a reduction in ethylene production, as well as an increase in fruit flesh firmness. SSC and pH were reduced, and TA was increased in putrescine-treated fruits. The loss of fruit FW was affected by putrescine in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, fruit treated with higher concentrations of putrescine showed lower FW loss.     

Leaf pruning intensities at flowering of banana (Musa AAA,cv. Grande Naine) did not influence fruit green and yellow life and quality

This study examined the effects of leaf pruning intensities at flowering on the green and yellow life and fruit quality of bananas (Musa AAA, cv. Grande Naine). The fruit from banana plants that retained 7, 9, 11 and 13 leaves after pruning were packed in carton boxes of 13.7 kg and stored in a cold room at 14 °C for 21 days to simulate transportation conditions. During this period, eight visual evaluations of fruit peel colour were made. Next, fruits were induced to commercial ripening using ethylene at 100 μl/ml. Four evaluations (every 2 days) on fruit firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, fruit weight and peel colour were made to assess fruit yellow life. No interaction between evaluations and number of leaves retained was found for pulp firmness, soluble solid percentage, fruit acidity, fruit weight and maturation grade. The fruit green life and peel colour was similar for plants retaining different number of leaves. After the application of ethylene, there were no differences in fruit firmness (P > 0.62), percentage of soluble solids (P > 0.24) nor in the percentage of acidity (P > 0.32). No difference in fruit weight (P > 0.07) and ripening grade (P > 0.17) were observed among plants retaining different number of leaves. The results suggest that in tropical commercial banana plantations, producing for international markets, it is possible to defoliate the banana plants to seven leaves at flowering without causing a reduction on the green and yellow life and quality of fruit.     

6个品种苹果果实贮藏前后品质分析

以6个苹果品种为试材,测定贮藏前与贮藏5个月后的果实硬度、可溶性固形物、可溶性总糖、可滴定酸、维生素C含量。结果表明,‘华红’贮藏前果实维生素C含量较高,贮藏后总酸与维生素C含量下降幅度较小,贮藏前后均具有较高的营养价值;‘澳洲青苹’贮藏前果实硬度、总酸、维生素C含量较高,贮藏后各营养指标下降幅度较小,有高酸、多汁的特性,生食品质中等,主要用作果汁加工;‘望山红’与‘寒富’贮藏前果实的营养成分含量高,味道纯正,但贮藏后总酸和维生素C含量下降明显,适宜鲜食;‘岳帅’与‘金冠’贮藏前果实硬度、总酸、维生素C含量较低,贮藏后硬度、总酸含量下降幅度大,适宜鲜食。     

Changes in antioxidants and fruit quality in hot water-treated ‘Hom Thong’ banana fruit during storage

The effects of hot water treatment on antioxidants and fruit quality were investigated in banana fruit of cv. Gros Michel (Musa acuminata, AAA Group, locally called cv. Hom Thong) by immersing fruits in hot water (50 °C) for 10 min, before storage at 25 °C for 10 days or 14 °C for the first 8 days followed by storage at 25 °C for the second 8 days until ripening. Quality parameters including peel color and pulp firmness indicated that hot water treatment helped to delay banana fruit ripening at both storage conditions. Hot water treatment decreased the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malonydialdehyde (MDA) during storage at 25 °C. Glutathione (GSH and GSSG) contents and the ratio of GSH/GSSG during fruit approaching ripening were significantly induced in hot water-treated fruits while ascorbic acid (AA) contents were slightly increased. In addition, the combined treatment increased free phenolics and flavonoids during storage. Results suggest that hot water treatment has led to an induction of antioxidants in banana fruits as indicated by an increase of antioxidants and a decrease of H₂O₂ during ripening, and all of which result in a delayed ripening of banana fruit.     

Improving the fruit yield and quality of cucumber by grafting onto the salt tolerant rootstock under NaCl stress

To investigate the feasibility of using salt tolerant rootstock to increase fruit yield and quality of cucumber under NaCl stress, a greenhouse experiment was carried out to determine fruit yield, leaf relative water content, fruit quality, and mineral composition of cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jinchun No. 2), either self-grafted or grafted onto the commercial salt tolerant rootstock Figleaf Gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouche) and Chaofeng Kangshengwang (Lagenaria siceraria Standl). Plants were grown in a substrate culture (peat:vermiculite:perlite = 1:1:1, v/v) and irrigated with half-strength Hoagland solutions containing 0, 30, or 60 mM NaCl. The results showed that salinity significantly reduced fruit yield of cucumber owing to a decrease both in mean fruit weight and fruit number. Rootstock had no significant effect on leaf relative water content. Plants grafted onto Figleaf Gourd and Chaofeng Kangshengwang had higher fruit number, marketable and total fruit yield than those of self-grafted plants under 0, 30, and 60 mM NaCl, which could be attributed to, at least in part, the higher K⁺ but lower Na⁺ and/or Cl⁻ contents in the leaves. Salinity improved fruit quality by increasing fruit dry matter, soluble sugar, and titratable acidity contents of all the plants, but had no significant effect on vitamin C content. In comparison to the self-grafted plants, plants grafted onto Figleaf Gourd and Chaofeng Kangshengwang had an overall improved fruit quality under NaCl stress owing to an increase in contents of soluble sugar, titratable acidity, and vitamin C, and a decrease in the percentage of non-marketable fruit and Na⁺ and/or Cl⁻ contents of fruits in comparison to the self-grafted plants, mainly under 60 mM NaCl. Overall, it is suggested that the use of salt tolerant rootstock could provide a useful tool to improve fruit yield and quality of cucumber under NaCl stress.     

蜂胶对粉红女士苹果的保鲜效应

试验主要针对蜂胶的特性研究对粉红女士苹果的保鲜作用,初步确定能够保证无公害鲜食苹果质量的最佳蜂胶保鲜剂浓度。以无公害的天然物质蜂胶作为保鲜剂,粉红女士苹果作为试验材料。在(0±1)℃条件下贮藏180 d,对粉红女士苹果保鲜过程中各项生理活性指标定期跟踪测定,以观察各指标的动态变化。结果表明,采用蜂胶处理能有效抑制果实失水,降低呼吸速率及乙烯释放率,延缓果肉硬度的下降和可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、维生素C的降解。其中硬度、失重、可滴定酸含量、乙烯释放量等指标处理与对照差异达到极显著水平(P0.01)。8%浓度蜂胶处理的保鲜效果最佳。     

Grafting effects on postharvest ripening and quality of 1-methylcyclopropene-treated muskmelon fruit

In addition to managing soil-borne diseases in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) production, grafting with resistant rootstocks may impact fruit quality. The ethylene antagonist 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been shown to extend shelf life of fresh muskmelon fruit. Postharvest characteristics of 1-MCP-treated melon fruit as affected by grafting, however, have not been well examined. This study was conducted to explore the influence of grafting with different rootstocks on ripening and quality attributes of 1-MCP-treated muskmelon fruit during postharvest storage. Grafted ‘Athena’ muskmelon with two commercial squash interspecific hybrid rootstocks including ‘Strong Tosa’ and ‘Tetsukabuto’ as well as non-grafted and self-grafted ‘Athena’ were grown in replicated field plots at the University of Florida Plant Science Research and Education Unit (Citra, FL, USA) during April–June 2010. Half-slip fruit from two harvests were treated with 1.0 μL L⁻¹ 1-MCP (18 h, 20 °C) and analyzed during storage at 13 °C. For fruit from the 27 May harvest, whole fruit and mesocarp firmness, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and ascorbic acid content were measured, while production of ethylene and CO₂ was determined on fruit from the 29 June harvest. Grafting did not show a significant impact on fruit yield but affected the fruit shelf life significantly. Fruit from non-grafted ‘Athena’ and ‘Athena’ grafted onto ‘Strong Tosa’ demonstrated a shelf life of 31 d for the first harvest and 22 d for the second harvest. Shelf life of fruit from self-grafted ‘Athena’ and ‘Athena’ grafted onto ‘Tetsukabuto’ declined by 6 d and 3 d for the first and second harvest, respectively. Whole fruit firmness decreased by approximately 15.5% on average from 13 to 31 d except day 19 as a result of grafting, but to a lesser extent with ‘Strong Tosa’ rootstock. Mesocarp firmness of grafted melon was reduced by about 30.2% at days 13 and 19 compared to non-grafted ‘Athena’ fruit. In contrast, titratable acidity, soluble solid content, and ascorbic acid concentration were less affected by grafting. All the measurements except for ethylene and CO₂ production declined during storage regardless of the grafting treatment. Compared with ‘Strong Tosa’ rootstock, ‘Tetsukabuto’ resulted in a more rapid ripening under 1-MCP application, as reflected by earlier increase in ethylene production and higher respiratory rate. The study demonstrates that grafting effects on postharvest ripening and quality of ‘Athena’ muskmelon can vary markedly with rootstocks used.     

Preharvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine treatments reduce internal browning and prolong the shelf-life of early ripening pears

The effect of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) on internal browning (IB) and keeping quality of early maturing European pears cv ‘Camusina di Genova’ and ‘Camusina di Bonarcado’ was examined over 10 days of storage at 18 °C. AVG was applied at 125 or 250 mg/L 2 weeks before harvest. At harvest fruit treated with AVG was less ripe than control fruit, being significantly firmer and experiencing lower values of maturity stage (based on ground color), maturity index (calculated value) and IB, depending on the AVG dose and cultivar. During storage, there was no treatment-dependent difference in titratable acidity and total soluble solids of juice, while both treatments reduced ethylene and respiration rates, delayed the ripening process and lowered the incidence of IB and the loss of firmness, especially when applied at 250 mg/L. In addition, AVG treatment significantly reduced decay development in both cultivars, mainly when it was applied at 250 mg/L. This effect was related to the delay of ripen and to possible inhibition of ethylene production by the pathogens and/or infected tissues.     

Berberis buxifolia fruiting: Kinetic growth behavior and evolution of chemical properties during the fruiting period and different growing seasons

This work studied the growth of Berberis buxifolia fruits and some of their chemical attributes during the fruiting period and different growing seasons (2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007) from November (14 days from full flower phase) till March (126 days from full flower phase) for plants growing in a natural environment near Ushuaia city (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina). B. buxifolia fruit growth and composition presented significant changes during the fruiting period and the studied growing seasons. Fresh and dry weight of B. buxifolia fruits exhibited a typical double sigmoid curve. The first period of rapid growth was from full flower phase till 42–56 days after, while the second phase of rapid growth began around the 56–70 days from full flower and ended approximately 4 months later. On a dry weight basis the maximum fruit biomass (119.5 mg) was reached 112 days after full flower while maximum fresh weight fruit biomass (424.3 mg) occurred by day 84. Evolution of fruit growth was related with the compositional changes evaluated. By day 126 from full flower, soluble solids (24.9°Brix) and anthocyanin concentration (761.3 mg/100 g fruit fresh weight) were at their maximum values, while at this time the total titratable acidity was at a minimum value (2.56%). The results obtained not only contributes to the knowledge of the quantitative content of anthocyanin, a metabolite with nutraceutical value but, gives some tools for the definition of the optimal harvest time of B. buxifolia fruits, what it is important for fruit destination.     

Behavior of arazá (Eugenia stipitata Mc Vaugh) fruit quality traits during growth,development and ripening

The period between fruit set and full ripening of arazá fruit grown in the Colombian Amazonia was 55 ± 5 days. Three stages of a sigmoidal growth were identified and longitudinal and equatorial traits fitted a logistic model better than three-degree polynomial models. Fruit growth clearly exhibited three different physiological stages, identified as follows: S1, involving cellular division during the first 14 days; S2, maximum fruit growth, during which cellular expansion took place (up to day 50), and a final S3 state of 5 days to reach physiological maturity. After this time, the fruit can be harvested with a dull green coloration. Parenchyma was the principal fruit tissue, and no support tissues (sclerenchyma or collenchyma) were evident. The respiratory pattern of arazá fruit was climacteric, with maximum respiration rates of around 200 mg CO₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹, preceded by a peak of ethylene production (20 μL C₄H₄ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹), a change in skin color from green to yellow, a total soluble solids value of 5°Brix, an increase in the sucrose and fructose content up to 2.8 μmol g⁻¹, a pH which increased to 3 units, and a decrease in titratable acidity to 400 mmol H⁺ L¹⁻. Malic acid was the main organic acid in the edible pulp and ascorbic acid was present in a concentration of 17.8 μmol g⁻¹. Skin color (as measured by hue angle) combined with titratable acidity and fruit firmness can be recommended as harvest indices for arazá fruit.     

Fruit growth and chemical properties of Ribes magellanicum “parrilla”

The aim of this work was to study the time course and pattern of fruit growth and the evolution of some of the chemical attributes such as soluble solids, acidity, and anthocyanin content in Ribes magellanicum plants growing in a natural environment near Ushuaia city, Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). Fruit growth and composition presented significant changes along the days from the full bloom phase. Fresh and dry fruit weight exhibited a typical double sigmoid curve. The first period of rapid fresh fruit growth was from full bloom phase until 28 days after, followed by a lag period until 42 days from the full bloom phase, and then by a second period of rapid increase until 56 days from the full bloom phase. Then, fresh fruit weight increased slowly (days 70–98 from the full bloom phase), reaching its maximum. Afterwards, fresh fruit weight decreased significantly until the end of the summer, and the fruiting period approximately ended 112 days from full bloom phase. On a dry weight basis the maximum fruit biomass was reached 98 days from the full bloom phase. Evolution of fruit growth was related with the compositional changes evaluated. By day 98 from the full bloom phase, soluble solids (17.5°Brix) and anthocyanin content (240.1 mg/100 g fruit fresh weight) were at their maximum, while at this time the total titratable acidity was at a minimum (0.4%). The results obtained not only contribute to the knowledge of the quantitative content of anthocyanin, a metabolite with nutraceutical value, but also give some tools for the definition of the optimal harvest time of R. magellanicum fruits, which it is important for fruit destination.     

Changes in ripening behavior of ‘d'Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communis L.) after cold storage

‘d'Anjou’ pear fruit, harvested at optimum maturity with flesh firmness of 6.8 kg, were stored at ?1.1°C. Fruit were ripened at 20°C for 15 days following storage for 1–8 months. Dessert qualities were evaluated organoleptically on Day 10 of each ripening period. Changes in fruit firmness, extractable juice, titratable acids, solubl solids, respiration, ethylene production and internal ethylene were determined daily during each ripening period. Fruit firmness declined continually from 6.8 kg at harvest to 4.5 kg after 8 months of storage. Fruit stored for 2–8 months softened with a similar pattern during a 15-day ripening period at 20°C, while fruit stored for 1 month softened at a slower rate during ripening to 3.2 kg, with a coarse and dry texture after 15 days at 20°C. Fruit stored for 2–4 months ripened with the desirable buttery and juicy texture, while those stored for more than 5 months ripened with a coarse or mealy and dry texture. The buttery and juicy texture was highly correlated with a lower extractable juice, which could be used for quantitative determination of storage life based on ripened fruit quality. Changes in titratable acids and soluble solids during each ripening period were not associated with changes in dessert qualities of the ripened pears. Rates of respiration, ethylene production and internal ethylene during ripening at 20°C varied with duration of storage, but were not associated with changes in dessert qualities of the ripened fruit.     

The ripening of gamma irradiated fruits of jujube

Mature green jujube fruits of cv. Zaytoni were subjected to gamma radiation doses of 0, 10, 30 and 50 krad. The irradiated and unirradiated fruits were then kept at 20°C and 85-90% r.h., and changes in weight loss, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content were determined. Fruits subjected to 30 krad were firmer and greener than unirradiated control fruits after six days of storage, and this treatment delayed ripening by three days. There was no significant loss in the nutritive value of the fruit due to irradiation.     

The addition of gibberellic acid to auxin solutions increases sugar accumulation and sink strength in developing auxin-induced parthenocarpic tomato fruits

The effects of the addition of gibberellic acid (GA) to auxin solutions for tomato fruit setting on sugar content and titratable acidity at maturity were investigated in ‘Louis 60’ tomatoes, and sucrolytic enzyme activities and cell development during the early stages of fruit development were examined to explain the physiological mechanisms. Days to maturity and titratable acidity were not affected by GA addition. The sugar concentration of the pericarp was increased by 50 mg L⁻¹ of GA addition in the summer and the spring, but not in the autumn experiment. The product of sugar concentration and fruit weight, which is thought to reflect the amount of sugar per fruit, was higher in GA-treated fruit in every experiment. Beginning 1 day after treatment, cell size was larger in GA-treated fruit and resulted in an increase in pericarp thickness at maturity. These results suggest that GA addition at anthesis can promote an increased sink size of individual pericarp cells immediately after treatment. The activities of VAI and neutral invertase (NI) were higher in GA-treated fruit around 5 days after treatment, and the possibility of VAI and/or NI involvement in sink activity at an early stage of fruit development is suggested.     

Addition of salicylic acid to nutrient solution combined with postharvest treatments (hot water,salicylic acid,and calcium dipping) improved postharvest fruit quality of strawberry

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of salicylic acid addition to nutrient solution and different postharvest treatments on fruit quality of strawberry cv. Camarosa after 7 days at 2 °C. Plants were irrigated with two complete nutrient solutions, with salicylic acid (0.03 mM) or without salicylic acid as the control. Fruits were then treated with eight different postharvest treatments (25 °C water, 45 °C water, 25 °C or 45 °C water containing CaCl₂ (1%), 25 °C or 45 °C water containing salicylic acid (2 mM) and 25 °C or 45 °C water containing both CaCl₂ (1%) and salicylic acid (2 mM)). Fruits which received SA in their nutrient solution had less weight loss and decay and higher firmness. All of the postharvest treatments improved fruit quality characteristics. Fruits dipped in salicylic acid solution had less weight loss, decay and a* (redness) and higher firmness and hue angle than control. Heat treated fruits had less decay and a* and higher hue angle than control. Fruits dipped in CaCl₂ solution had less weight loss, decay and a* and higher firmness than control. Combination of the three postharvest treatments improved firmness, decay, weight loss and vitamin C.     

1-甲基环丙烯和温度对桃和油桃贮藏品质的影响

 以‘秦光2 号’油桃和‘秦王’桃为试材, 在0 ℃和5 ℃两种贮藏温度条件下研究了1-甲基环丙烯(1-MCP) 对果实呼吸速率、乙烯释放速率、硬度、可滴定酸含量、可溶性固形物含量及果肉褐变的影响。结果表明, 0 ℃的贮藏温度能显著降低秦光2号油桃和秦王桃的呼吸速率和乙烯释放速率, 减缓果实软化。1μL·L ^-1的1-MCP 处理能降低果实的呼吸速率和乙烯释放速率, 抑制果实软化, 减少果肉褐变,但对可滴定酸和可溶性固形物含量无明显影响。     

Effects of Preharvest Foliar Calcium Applications on the Storage Quality of ‘0900 Ziraat’ Sweet Cherry Cultivar

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of foliar calcium application on storage of sweet cherry. Different concentrations of CaCl₂ (2.4, 3.2, and 4.0 g/l) and Ca(NO₃)₂ (3.4, 4.6, and 5.8 g/l) were applied six times by foliar spraying on leaves and fruits of the sweet cherry variety ‘0900 Ziraat’. Harvested fruits were packaged in 500 g plastic boxes and stored for four weeks at 0 ⁰C and 90–95?% relative humidity. During the experiment, flesh firmness, titratable acidity value (TA), pH, total soluble solids content (SSC) ratio, and weight losses were weekly assessed. The results indicated that there were positive effects of foliar calcium applications on fruit quality coupled with improved firmness, and enhancement of TA, an additional advantage for consumer acceptability.