Effect of Foliar Application of Calcium on the Quality of Blueberry Fruits |
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Authors: | Rosemarie Stückrath Roberto Quevedo Lucía de la Fuente Astrid Hernández Viviana Sepúlveda |
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Institution: | Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos , Universidad de los Lagos , Osorno, Chile |
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Abstract: | Effect of foliar application of calcium (0.78 g, 4.68 g, and 7.8 g Ca2 +) in pre-harvest, at three different growing conditions (tunnel, mesh, and ambient), on texture and pectin in blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) was studied. Calcium contents in leaves as well in fruits were different (P ≤ 0.05), affected by growing conditions and time. Differences (P ≤ 0.05) in calcium content were found in tunnel cultivar fruit, during the period to cell expansion toward harvest, at calcium foliar level of 5 mL per L (7.8 g). Fruit texture was significantly higher at the beginning of the cell expansion period in the tunnel cultivar fruit, and a linear correlation between calcium concentration and texture was established. Increment in low methoxyl pectin (LMP) was influenced by growing conditions, and was different (P ≤ 0.05) for tunnel cultivar fruit. A good correlation between LMP and calcium content was obtained with the high dose of calcium (5 mL per L). |
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Keywords: | Blueberries calcium low methoxyl pectin texture |
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