Comparison of sampling strategies for determining fruit mineral concentrations in ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.)

Summary

Spatial and temporal variation in mineral and dry matter (DM: % dry weight) concentrations were examined in ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit to identify sampling strategies for examining fruit mineral, DM and fruit quality relationships. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and DM concentrations were compared from different parts of the same fruit, from fruit harvested from different shoot types and locations within the same tree, and at different stages during the growing season, from fruit set to commercial harvest. The main source of variation within fruit was longitudinal, with K and DM concentrations being higher at the distal end of the fruit. Sampling methods based on equatorial plugs of tissue provided the best estimates of whole fruit values for DM and mineral nutrients. While there was much variability in the internal distribution of minerals within the fruit, the distribution was the same for fruit from both the northern and southern aspects of the tree. During the first 4 months after fruit set, fruit from determinate floral shoots (i.e., with a flower in the terminal position) had higher Ca and Mg concentrations than fruit from indeterminate shoots (i.e., with a shoot in the terminal position). After this time, fruit Mg and Ca concentrations were higher on indeterminate shoots, possibly because of changes in sink-strength and increased transpirational flow associated with new leaf growth on indeterminate shoots. The data showed that shoot type was a source of fruit-tofruit variability in an avocado crop, and that care should be taken in sampling fruit tissues for nutrient analyses.     

Effects of clonal rootstocks on ‘Hass’ avocado yield components,alternate bearing,and nutrition

Summary

Growth, yield, and leaf nutrient concentrations were measured in ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees grown on one of ten clonally-propagated rootstocks (‘Borchard’, ‘D9’, ‘Duke 7’, G1033, G755A, G755B, G755C, ‘Thomas’, ‘Topa Topa’, or ‘Toro Canyon’) over a 10-year period in southern California. After 10 years, trees on ‘Borchard’ were larger than trees on all other rootstocks. Trees on all rootstocks displayed an alternate-bearing pattern, typical of avocado. Alternate-bearing was most pronounced in trees grafted onto ‘Topa Topa’ and ‘Toro Canyon’. Rootstocks in the G755 series had the lowest alternate-bearing index, but also had the lowest yields.Trees on ‘Duke 7’ and ‘Borchard’ had the highest cumulative yields, and trees on G755A, G755B, and G755C had the lowest yields. Differences in yield were due to differences in the number of fruit per tree, not individual fruit weight. When yield was evaluated in terms of canopy efficiency (kg fruit m^–3), no rootstock outperformed ‘Duke 7’, the industry standard rootstock. Leaf concentrations of all nutrients examined (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Cl, Mn, B, Fe, and Cu) were within, or close to the recommended ranges. P, Ca, and S were higher, and Fe was lower in high-yielding years in all rootstocks.     

The influence of endothal and 6-benzyladenine on crop load and fruit quality of red ‘Delicious’ apple

Summary

Trial work over a two year period examined the aquatic herbicide endothal as a blossom thinner in conjunction with 6-benzyladenine (CyLex?) as a post-bloom thinner. The aim was to develop an effective thinning programme using endothal and CyLex?, to examine any interactions between the two chemicals, and to assess the impact of endothal on fruit quality. Time of application of endothal was shown to be critical in achieving a satisfactory level of thinning. Multiple applications of lower chemical rates were also successful, and may have potential to provide an effective programme for cultivars with long flowering periods, which are traditionally most difficult to thin. Addition of a surfactant to the spray mix significantly increased the thinning effect of endothal, resulting in severe over-thinning. This work has demonstrated that endothal is an effective thinner of red ‘Delicious’ apples. It is most effective when applied twice during the blossom period, the first application at 20% bloom and the second at 80% bloom. There is no advantage in increasing the concentration above 1.0 cm³ dm^-3 (v/v). Endothal can also be effectively combined in a programme with the post-bloom thinner CyLex? applied at 150 mg l”¹ at a spray volume of 12001 ha^-1. Addition of CyLex? to the spray programme has the added benefits of increasing fruit weight and size. Fruit sugar content and firmness were both increased by application of endothal. The greater the number of applications the higher the firmness and sugar content of the fruit. Both these findings are additional benefits to the thinning effect. Both pip number and fruit length/diameter ratio were slightly reduced by endothal. Cylex and some endothal treatments increased the incidence of fruit russet.     

The effect of rootstock on yield and quality of ‘Mutsu’ apples

Summary

Yield and fruit quality parameters were studied during three years in a rootstock trial with ‘Mutsu’ apple. M.9 provided the highest total yield per tree as well as the highest quantity of intermediate and yellow fruit as compared with J.9, M.26 and B.9. Within similar colour categories, significant differences among rootstocks were also recorded for fruit starch degradation pattern (SDP), firmness, titratable acidity (TA), and soluble solids concentrations (SSC). Generally, the lowest SDP and highest fruit firmness was found in fruits from trees on rootstocks M.26 and B.9. The highest TA was found in fruits from trees on rootstocks M.26 and J.9 and the highest SSC in fruits from trees on rootstocks J.9 and B.9. However, considerable variations among years were also recorded. Correlation coefficients between rootstock and several yield and quality parameters revealed high correlation to SSC for green fruit and TA for medium and yellow fruit and some correlation to yield and number of fruits per tree.     

Influence of rootstock on vegetative growth,fruit yield and quality in ‘Cuore di Bue’, an heirloom tomato

Summary

Heirloom tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) such as ‘Cuore di Bue’ are highly appreciated by consumers for their outstanding quality and flavour. Nowadays, they are often grafted onto vigorous rootstocks in order to overcome several soil-borne diseases. The present study was conducted in 2007 and 2008 in Southern Italy. Plants of ‘Cuore di Bue’, an heirloom ‘oxheart’ tomato, were grown in a greenhouse either as non-grafted plants, or grafted onto two inter-specific (S. lycopersicum S. habrochaites) rootstocks (‘Beaufort F₁’ and ‘Maxifort F₁’) in order to evaluate their effects on vegetative growth, marketable yield, fruit quality, and the sensory properties of ‘Cuore di Bue’ tomato fruit. Growth analysis revealed that ‘Maxifort F₁’ enhanced plant growth, particularly in terms of leaf area and leaf fresh weight. Grafted plants had higher leaf area ratios (by 13%) and higher leaf dry weight fractions (by 18%) compared to non-grafted ‘Cuore di Bue’ plants. Marketable yields increased by 20 – 25% in grafted plants in both years. However, total soluble solids (TSS) contents, titratable acidity (TA), and TSS/TA ratios were not significantly affected by grafting.Vitamin C contents decreased by 14 – 20% in both years in the fruit of plants grafted onto either rootstock. The sensory profiles of fruit were not modified by grafting, although taste panelists expressed a higher preference for purchasing fruit from plants grafted onto ‘Maxifort F₁’. These results confirm that, when using the appropriate rootstock/scion combination, grafting can improve plant growth and the marketable yield of heirloom tomato fruit without reducing the sensory quality of the fruit or its biochemical parameters. However, grafting can reduce vitamin C contents and, thus, nutritional quality.     

Effects of crop load and time of thinning on the incidence of split pits,fruit yield,fruit quality,and leaf mineral contents in ‘Andross’ peach

Summary

The effects of light, moderate, or heavy thinning (5, 10, or 20 cm between fruit, respectively), conducted before (7 d or 15 d), during, or after (7 d or 15 d) pit hardening (PH), on the incidence of split pits, fruit yield, fruit quality characteristics, and leaf mineral contents, were studied in the canning peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch.) cultivar ‘Andross’ over two growing seasons. The percentage of fruit with split pits increased by 58.2% in heavily-thinned trees compared with moderately- or lightly-thinned trees, and by 22.9% for the earliest time of thinning (15 d before PH) compared with thinning during, or after PH. Fruit fresh weight (FW) was greater in moderately- and heavily-thinned trees compared with lightly-thinned trees, but yields were similar among the different crop-load treatments. The latest time of thinning (15 d after PH) also had a negative impact on yield at first harvest and on total yield, fruit FW, and delayed fruit ripening compared to thinning during, and 15 d before PH. Total anti-oxidant capacities and phenolic contents were usually greater in fruit from heavily-thinned compared with lightly- or moderately-thinned trees only when thinning was conducted during, or 15 d after PH. Moreover, anti-oxidant levels were highest in fruit from the earliest-thinned trees. There was no significant effect of crop load, or of time of thinning application treatment on fruit colour, or on the K, P, Fe, Mn, and Cu contents of leaf tissues. In conclusion, light or moderate thinning during PH resulted in minimal split pits during processing, and in optimal yields and fruit quality characteristics in the canning peach cultivar ‘Andross’.     

Improvement of fruit quality and storage potential of ‘Braeburn’ apple through deficit irrigation

Summary

We explored the potential of deficit irrigation (DI) applied at different times during the growing season for improving fruit quality and storage potential of ‘Braeburn’ apple growing in a commercial orchard. Because DI often reduces fruit size, effects of fruit size on fruit quality were also examined. The irrigation treatments were: commercially irrigated control (C), early deficit irrigation (EDI) applied from 63 to 118 d after full bloom (DAFB), and late decifit irrigation (LDI) applied from 118 DAFB to final harvest on 201 DAFB. Both EDI and LDI improved fruit quality in terms of increases in: dry-matter concentration (DMC) at harvest, flesh firmness, total soluble solids, and total soluble sugars both at harvest and after storage. The DI fruit had less weight loss during storage than did C fruit. Deficit irrigation affected the concentrations of a few individual aroma volatiles but not total volatile concentration. Incidence of physiological disorders was not affected by irrigation treatments. Mean fruit weight was lower in DI than in C but the difference was not significant. Among the quality attributes studied, only firmness and DMC were affected by fruit size with their values being higher in smaller fruit.     

Effects of different crop loads and thinning times on yield,fruit quality,and return bloom in Malus × domestica Borkh. ‘Elstar’

Summary

‘Elstar’ is the latest-maturing commercial apple cultivar grown in Norway, with high fruit quality when properly managed. In May 2006, an experiment with four different crop loads [2, 4 ,6, or 8 flowers or fruitlets cm^–2 trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), respectively] was established at two different stages [first bloom (FB), or 20-mm diameter fruitlets] and compared to unthinned control trees. Fruit growth was measured on individual fruit for each treatment throughout the season at weekly intervals. Thinning at FB gave a significantly lower final percentage fruit set than thinning to the same cropping level at the 20-mm fruitlet stage. However, fruit weights and soluble solids contents (SSC) were significantly higher, and the background fruit colour improved when trees were thinned at FB. The final number of fruit at harvest was less than the amount established at FB, or at the 20-mm fruitlet stage. There were significant differences between treatments in final fruit numbers per TCSA, which reflected the different crop loads. Fruit weights and SSC values were highest with the lowest crop load, and decreased with increasing crop loads. There was also a strong crop-load effect on the extent of return bloom per tree in the subsequent year. Trees thinned at FB had significantly more flower clusters than those thinned at the 20-mm fruitlet stage of. Untreated control trees had the lowest number of flower clusters. The amount of return bloom declined with increasing crop load. Second year crop loads and fruit weights were highest when trees were thinned at FB to two or four apples cm^?2 TCSA in the previous year. Trees with the highest crop load had the lowest crop load in the following year. Fruit quality was generally high for all treatments.     

Effects of drought on fruit set,yield and quality of custard apple (Annona spp. hybrid) ‘African Pride’ plants

Summary

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of drought during flowering for both container- and field-grown trees, and during fruit development for container-grown trees, on subsequent growth, flowering, yield and quality of the custard apple ‘African Pride’ in subtropical Australia. Moderate drought (ψ_L=–1.5 MPa) reduced shoot growth by 20–30% and increased the number of flowers per lateral by about 40% compared with well-watered controls due to reduced apical dominance and increased lateral branching. Overall fruit set was not adversely affected by drought. Drought also increased the number of fruit harvested per tree by 47% compared with well-watered controls. This response was mainly due to the increase in flower number per tree. Drought reduced average fruit size by 11% possibly due to effects on cell division in the first 4–6 weeks after fruit set or on net carbon assimilation. In summary, mild to moderate drought during the flowering period and fruit set increased flowering without adversely affecting fruit set, but decreased fruit size.     

Influence of rootstock on orchard productivity and fruit quality in peach cv. ‘Redhaven’

Summary

We have evaluated the influence of four different peach rootstocks (Prunus pumila,‘GF 655/2’ ,‘Missour’ and ‘GF 677’ as a standard) planted in medium-heavy to heavy soil on phenological events (flowering and harvest date), growth, yield, fruit quality and mortality of peach (P. persica L.) scions of cv. ‘Redhaven’. At the end of flowering, there were no significant differences between the different rootstocks in the years 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004. In 2001, trees grafted on P. pumila reached the end of flowering 2 d before trees grafted on the other rootstocks. ‘Redhaven’ fruits ripened on the same day on trees grafted on the different rootstocks. The differences were only between years. The results showed that significantly less vigorous trees, according to their trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and canopy volume, with the lowest yield, were observed on P. pumila rootstock. The rootstock P. pumila had a significant negative influence on fruit dimensions and mortality was 50%. Trees grafted on ‘GF 655/2’ rootstock produced significantly lower yields than those grafted on ‘GF 677’ or ‘Missour’ rootstocks. Only the ‘GF 655/2’ rootstock had root suckers. Trees grafted on ‘GF 677’ rootstock were significantly more vigorous than on the other rootstocks, and produced the highest yield with good fruit quality. The final canopy volumes of peach trees grafted on the different rootstocks were very different. The most vigorous trees were those grafted on ‘GF 677’ rootstock, where the final tree volume was 12.8 m³. Trees grafted on P. pumila and ‘GF 655/2’ had significantly lower TCSA values than on the other rootstocks.     

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.     

Effect of inter-specific rootstocks on inorganic nutrient concentrations and fruit quality of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis)

Summary

Inorganic nutrient concentrations in leaves, xylem sap and fruit from ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis) vines grafted onto eight inter-specific rootstocks [A. deliciosa (A. Chev.) C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson var. deliciosa; A. eriantha Benth.; A. hemsleyana×eriantha; A. macrosperma C.F. Liang; A. chrysantha Merr.; A. kolomikta (Maxim. et Rupr.) Maxim.; A. kolomikta (Maxim. et Rupr.) Maxim.; and A. polygama (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim.] were measured over three seasons. The nutrients analysed were phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and boron (B). The objectives of these studies were to identify rootstocks which induced relatively high or low levels of nutrients in the scion cultivar, and to correlate the nutrient concentrations of the fruits with the incidence of storage disorders. The use of inter-specific clonal rootstocks had a substantial effect on the accumulation and concentration of inorganic nutrients in the fruit, leaves and stem sap of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit vines, but few consistent relationships were observed between fruit nutrient concentrations and the incidence of storage disorders. Vines on A. hemsleyana×eriantha accumulated high levels of P in their fruits, leaves and xylem sap, and high levels of Ca and Mg in their leaves and xylem sap. Vines on A. macrosperma accumulated high levels of K in their fruits and leaves. In general, vines on rootstocks with low vigour (i.e. A. polygama; A. kolomikta) accumulated relatively low levels of nutrients. The incidence of physiological pitting, a mineral-related storage disorder, was higher in fruit with lower Mg concentrations. While rootstock-induced differences in the vigour of vines had an important role in determining nutrient concentrations in fruits and leaves, some rootstocks clearly had a stronger inherent ability to absorb nutrients from the soil than others, independent of their effect on vine vigour.     

Foliar applications of calcium do not impact on fruit and leaf nutrient concentration or quality of ‘O’Neal’ blueberry

Calcium (Ca) has been considered a key element in maintaining fruit quality and extending the storage period of several fruits. The main blueberry (interspecific hybrids of Vaccinium corymbosum x V. darrowii) market for the Southern Hemisphere production involves a long transport between harvest and consumption. Foliar Ca sprays during the pre-harvest constitutes a common practice for improving Ca concentration [Ca] in fruits and therefore in alleviating the loss of firmness, dehydration and rot decay during postharvest. In this study, two formulations of Ca; Ca-nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂] and chelate Ca-oxide (Ca-gluconate; Ca-Glu) were sprayed four times during pre-harvest of blueberry cv. O’Neal. [Ca] in the fruits was followed after each application and fruit quality parameters were determined at harvest and during 28 days of cold storage. Both formulations were ineffective in increasing [Ca] in the berries (or leaves) after any of the four applications. In fruits, [Ca] decreased from 0.32% at 25 days after full bloom (DAFB) to 0.11% Ca at harvest time. Other minerals such as magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), or nitrogen (N) remained unaffected by the treatments. Data shows that foliar pre-harvest applications of Ca, regardless of formula, were ineffective at increasing [Ca] or improving the quality of the fruit.     

The chemical composition and sensory flavour quality of ‘Mineola’ tangerines. I. Effects of fruit size and within-tree position

Summary

Maturity and taste characteristics measured were better in large, heavy ‘Mineola’ fruit harvested from the upper, external southern side of the tree, than in small, light fruit harvested from the lower, internal and northern side of the tree. Harvest and storage of ‘Mineola’ fruit increased its juice content, while fruit remaining on the tree showed an increase in total soluble solids (TSS) and a decrease in acid levels, resulting together in an increase in TSS:acid ratio and improved taste.     

The effects of Apogee® on shoot growth,secondary flowering,fire blight,fruit quality,yield and return bloom in ‘Bartlett’ pear growing in California

Summary

Apogee^® sprays were applied to mature ‘Bartlett’ pear (Pyrus communis L.) trees as single or multiple sprays during the growing seasons of 1999 to 2003 at concentrations of 420 g ha^–1 (125 mg ^–1) or 840 g ha^–1 (250 mg^–1): both reduced vegetative shoot growth. Two sprays of 840 g ha^–1 applied 3–3.5 weeks apart were most effective and reduced shoot growth by approximately 40%. An application made 2 d after fall bloom was ineffective and led to more vegetative shoot growth. Single sprays of Apogee^® made within 9–28 d after full bloom (DAFB) were equally effective in reducing vegetative shoot growth. Bourse shoot growth was reduced 43% by 3 April, 2001 (8 DAFB) treatment of 840 g ha^–1 when bourse and vegetative shoots ranged from 2.5 to 7.5 cm in length. Subsequent single applications of 840 g ha^–1 Apogee^® (on April 12 or 23, 2001) did not reduce bourse shoot growth significantly. Vegetative shoot growth was also reduced by 12% (9 d after treatment) and by 38% (approximately one month after treatment) by 840 g ha^–1 Apogee^® applied on 3 April, 2001, (8 DAFB). In 2002, bourse shoot growth was controlled most effectively by split applications (840 + 420 g ha^–1 or 840 2 g ha^–1, 9 April and 24 May) and by 840 g ha^–1 Apogee^®, applied at 2.5 to 7.5 cm shoot growth (9 April). These split applications, as well as girdling, decreased shoot strikes in 2002, the year after treatment. Split applications of 840 g ha^–1 Apogee^® made in April to early May were most effective in controlling both vegetative and bourse shoot growth in most years, although single applications of Apogee^® were effective in some years. Subsequent flushes of shoots tended to be controlled by split applications with the second application timed to the emergence of new shoots. Apogee^® was not consistently effective in reducing the incidence of Type I or Type V secondary flowers in these trials. Single or multiple sprays of Apogee^® had no measurable or consistent effect on return bloom, fruit size or shape, firmness, percentage soluble solids, or yield per tree over the period of these experiments. Apogee^® appears to have promise as a shoot growth control agent in ‘Bartlett’ pear growing in California, USA, without deleterious effects.     

Forcing vine regrowth and shifting fruit ripening in a warm region to enhance fruit quality in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

Summary

In warmer regions, winegrapes ripen their fruit during the hottest portion of the growing season, producing wines of high pH, low acidity, less intense colour, and a less complex flavour. Experiments were conducted in a commercial vineyard of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ at Fresno, CA, USA in 2009, and in 2010, to determine if vines could be forced to enhance fruit quality. Forcing was conducted by hedging growing shoots to six nodes and removing summer laterals, leaves, and primary clusters between 14 – 70 d after anthesis in late-May, June, and July. Vines grown under conventional practices were used as controls. Forcing in June shifted fruit ripening from the hot (July and August) to the cool (October through early-November) portion of the growing season, a period with more hours at lower, more favourable temperatures. Fruit from the forced crop had smaller berries, a lower pH, higher acidity, and higher contents of anthocyanins, tannins, and total phenolics, compared with non-forced fruit. The yield and vigour of forced vines were comparable to, or slightly lower than, control vines. The best forcing treatment consisted of hedging growing shoots to six nodes and removing summer laterals, leaves, and primary clusters. Our study demonstrates the potential of forcing to address the detrimental effects of high temperatures on fruit quality in warmer regions of winegrape production.     

Effect of crop load,fruit position and shoot vigour on yield and quality of Annona atemoya × Annona squamosa in India

The effect of crop load, position of the fruit on the shoots and vigour of the shoots on yield and quality of Annona atemoya × A. squamosa hybrid ‘Arka Sahan’ was investigated in India over two years. The trees were hand-pollinated and thinned to 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 fruit after fruit set. Information was collected on total and marketable yield, yield efficiency, average fruit fresh weight, peel weight, the number of seeds per 100 g of pulp, pulp content in the fruit, total soluble solids (TSS) and total titratable acidity. In other experiments, fruit were harvested from weak, medium or vigrous shoots, or from basal, middle or apical nodes. Total yield increased up to 60 or 80 fruit per tree and marketable yield increased up to 60 fruit per tree. Average fruit weight and peel weight increased as cropping increased. These results suggest that optimum productivity and quality is associated with 60 fruit per tree or 0.17 to 0.19 kg cm² trunk-cross sectional area. The quality of the fruit in different positions on the shoots or on the different types of shoots was highly variable and generally not affected by the various treatments.     

The effect of fruit maturity on quality and colour shift of dried ‘Patterson’ apricot during eight months of cold storage

Summary

Fresh ‘Patterson’ apricot was harvested at three fruit maturity levels and characterized with measurements of flesh colour, Brix, acidity and levels of specific sugars. Fruit from the three maturity classes were sun-dried under uniform conditions. Dry fruit was again analysed for the content of specific sugars before cold storage. Stored fruit were sampled periodically for colour coordinates L*, C* and H° during an eight-month period. The study was repeated for two harvest seasons. In each season, significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed between the three fruit maturity classes for Brix, acidity, C* and H8. Levels of specific sugars varied significantly (P≤0.01) with regard to fruit maturity class, tissue type and fruit status. Regression analysis of colour coordinate changes during the storage period indicated significant (P≤0.05) differences in rate of colour shift of L*, C* and H8 relative to fruit maturity class. While dried fruit of the immature class was of substandard quality after the storage period, both medium and most mature dry fruit were of sufficient quality to warrant marketing even after eight months of cold storage.     

The influence of fungicides and gibberellin (A4+7) applications on russet control of ‘Golden Delicious’ apple fruit

Summary

Various fungicides, gibberellins (A₄₁₇) and their mixtures were tested for the control of russet of ‘Golden Delicious’ apple fruit in the major apple-growing area in Israel. Four foliar applications of captan, metiram, the strobilurins kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, or the polyoxin B compound Polar from the green tip stage to the end of the petal fall stage gave similar reductions in russeting, compared with the controls, but none eliminated it. Tank mixtures of the gibberellins (A₄₁₇) Regulex and Perlan with captan, each at full rate, did not improve russet control, compared with each component alone at the same rate. Similarly, both captan and trifioxystrobin, and the gibberellin (A₄₁₇) Cytolin or their mixtures at full rates provided similar significant level of control of russet on fruit. Fruit in the upper part of the tree had significantly more russet than fruit in the lower part of the tree, regardless of treatment applied. In addition, russet was more severe on fruits of trees grown in the west side of the row, than those of trees grown on the east side. Data suggest that factors other than fungicides, which may act by reducing russet-inducing microorganisms, may be involved in russet development.