1020 ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND APPLICATION OF NITROGEN TO OPTIMIZE YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY IN APPLES

Influence of different quantity and timing of nitrogen application on various physiological aspects of `Redspur Delicious' apple, including nutritional partitioning, bud initiation, fruit set, yield, fruit quality and nitrate movement in the soil were studied over several growing seasons. Urea at the rates of: 40.2 Kg/ha; 160.8 Kg/ha; 281.3 g/ha; 401.9 Kg/ha; 522.4 K /ha were applied. Each rate of urea was applied: all at full bloom; half at full bloom and half at late spring; or all in fall. In 1993, time of application did not influence yield, fruit weight, color or soluble solids at harvest. Trees that received 401.9 and with 522.4 Kg/ha had higher yield than those with other quantities. Trees with 160.8 and 281.3 Kg/ha had higher yield than trees with 40.2 Kg/ha. Fruit weight in all quantities, except that of 522.4 Kg/ha, were similar. Fruit weight of trees with 522.4 K /ha was reduced. Fruit color was reduced as N quantities increased. Trees with 40.2 Kg/ha N had lower soluble solids than all other quantities. A high level of N increased ethylene and respiration in the fruit. Thus, if the poor color of fruit is due to high nitrogen, a long delay in harvest to improve the color could lead to an over ripe fruit. A preliminary test did not indicate harmful levels of nitrates movement in the soil.

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EARLY SPRING APPLICATION OF AMINOETHOXYVINILGLYCINE (AVG) INCREASES FRUIT SET AND YIELD OF ‘ROCHA’ PEARS

Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura ◽

10.1590/0100-29452017982 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

MATEUS DA SILVEIRA PASA ◽

BRUNO CARRA ◽

CARINA PEREIRA DA SILVA ◽

MARLISE NARA CIOTTA ◽

ALBERTO FONTANELLA BRIGHENTI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Fruit Set ◽

Block Design ◽

Quality Attributes ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Early Spring ◽

Full Bloom ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Return Bloom

ABSTRACT The low fruit set is one of the main factors leading to poor yield of pear orchards in Brazil. Ethylene is associated with abscission of flowers and fruitlets. Then, the application of ethylene synthesis inhibitors, such as AVG, is a potential tool to increase fruit set of pears. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of AVG, sprayed at different rates and timings, on fruit set, yield and fruit quality of ‘Rocha’ pear. The study was performed in a commercial orchard located in the municipality of São Joaquim, SC, during the growing seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Plant material consisted of ‘Rocha’ pear trees grafted on quince rootstock ‘BA29’. AVG was tested at different rates (60 mg L-1 and 80 mg L-1) and timings [full bloom, one week after full bloom (WAFB), and two WAFB), either alone or in combination. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, with at least five single-tree replications. The fruit set, number of fruit per tree, yield, estimated yield, fruit weight, return bloom, and fruit quality attributes were assessed. Fruit set and yield were consistently increased by single applications of AVG at 60 and 80 mg L-1 at both one and two weeks after full bloom, without negatively affecting fruit quality attributes and return bloom.

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Optimizing Nitrogen for Improving Yield and Fruit Quality of `Redspur Delicious' Apple

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.4.613b ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 613b-613

Author(s):

Esmaeil Fallahi ◽

John K. Fellman

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Underground Water ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Soil Nitrate ◽

Fruit Firmness ◽

Quality Factors ◽

Time Of Application ◽

Nutrient Partitioning

Effects of three times and five rates of urea application on productivity, tree growth, soil nitrate movement, nutrient partitioning, and postharvest fruit quality of `Redspur Delicious' apple on M.7 rootstock over several years were studied. Time of application did not have significant effects on most fruit quality factors or yield. However, significant differences were observed for quality and yield measurements among different quantities of N. Fruit firmness decreased with every increment in N increase. Trees with N at 0.045 kg/tree had lower yield and higher fruit firmness than those with higher quantities of N. Fruit weight and color decreased with each increment increase in the quantity of N. Trees with N at 0.045 and 0.18 kg/tree had significantly better (more red) color and lower fruit N and leaf N than those with higher quantities of N. Bud tissue nutrients were affected by quantity of N application. Fruit from trees with N at <0.18 kg/tree had lower soluble solids. High N increased fruit ethylene and respiration. Nitrogen application affected 2-methyl butyl acetate of fruit. Monitoring nitrate movement through the soil showed that application of N at >0.45 kg/tree, particularly in fall resulted in excess levels of nitrate, increasing the possibility of underground water contamination. Applying N at ≤0.32 kg/tree did not result in excess soil nitrate at 1.52-m depth.

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Effect of Cultivar and Site on Fruit Quality as Demonstrated by the NE-183 Regional Project on Apple Cultivars

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.15.4.0886 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 886-895 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

S.S. Miller ◽

R.W. McNew ◽

B.H. Barritt ◽

L. Berkett ◽

S.K. Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Solids Concentration ◽

Regional Project ◽

Apple Cultivars ◽

Hedonic Scale

Cultivar and planting site are two factors that often receive minimal attention, but can have a significant impact on the quality of apple (Malus ×domestica) produced. A regional project, NE-183 The Multidisciplinary Evaluation of New Apple Cultivars, was initiated in 1995 to systematically evaluate 20 newer apple cultivars on Malling.9 (M.9) rootstock across 19 sites in North America. This paper describes the effect of cultivar and site on fruit quality and sensory attributes at a number of the planting sites for the 1998 through 2000 growing seasons. Fruit quality attributes measured included fruit weight, length: diameter ratio, soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), flesh firmness, red overcolor, and russet. Fruit sensory characteristics rated included crispness, sweetness, and juiciness, based on a unipolar intensity scale (where 1 = least and 5 = most), and acidity, flavor, attractiveness, and desirability based on a bipolar hedonic scale (where 1 = dislike and 5 = like extremely). All fruit quality and sensory variables measured were affected by cultivar. The two-way interaction of cultivar and planting site was significant for all response variables except SSC, TA, russet, crispness, and sweetness ratings. The SSC: TA ratio was strongly correlated with sweetness and acidity sensory rating, but was weakly correlated with flavor rating. The results demonstrate that no one cultivar is ideally suited for all planting sites and no planting site is ideal for maximizing the quality of all apple cultivars.

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GA3—INDUCED FRUIT SET OF RABBITEYE BLUEBERRY

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.27.6.689c ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 689c-689

Author(s):

Raguel Cano—M ◽

Rebecca L. Darnell

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Fruit Development ◽

Fruit Set ◽

Total Yield ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Full Bloom ◽

Development Period

The effects of different GA3 concentrations and application times on fruit set, fruit development period, and fruit quality in rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) were studied. Flower clusters were sprayed with 100 or 250 ppm GA3 at 90% full bloom and again 7 days later, or with 125 ppm GA3 at 90% full bloom and again 7, 21, and 42 days later, under greenhouse conditions. Fruit set was monitored every 10 days and fruit weight, fruit development period, soluble solids, and titratable acidity were measured at harvest. Fruit set in GA3 treatments averaged 69 to 76% compared to an average of 43% for the pollinated control. Weight of GA3 treated berries averaged 1.2, g while that of pollinated berries averaged 2.0 g. However, calculated total yield was greater for the GA3 treatments compared to the pollinated control, averaging 244 and 206 g/treatment, respectively. GA3 increased the fruit development period by 2 to 11 days, depending on the treatment. Soluble solids and titratable acidity were not affected by any treatment.

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Effects of Short Day Conditioning, Chilling and GA3 Treatments to Yield and Fruit Quality in Strawberry Plug Transplants Aiming Early Fruit Production

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ◽

10.15835/nbha4119018 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 263

Author(s):

Emine ÖZDEMİR ◽

Nurettin KAŞKA ◽

Kazim GÜNDÜZ ◽

Sedat SERÇE

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Total Yield ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Production ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Day Length ◽

Fruit Characteristics ◽

Short Day ◽

Growing Seasons

In this study, we tested the effects of short day (SD), chilling (Ch) and gibberalic acid (GA3) treatments on the yield and fruit characteristics of ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Sweet Charlie’ plug plants under a freeze-protected greenhouse in Mediterranean conditions for two growing seasons in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. The treatments included control (ambient day length and temperature); SD (8 h days) and ambient temperature; SD + Chilling (Ch) (18/12°C day/night temperatures); SD + Ch (10°C); SD + Ch (2°C); and, GA3 (10 ppm applied to the plants in November). In each growing season, the plug plants were planted in mid-August using bag culture. Yield, fruit weight, firmness, total soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), and SS/TA ratio were investigated. Considerable amounts of early yield (March and April) were recovered from ‘Sweet Charlie’; 116 and 72 g/plant in the first and second growing seasons, respectively. ‘Sweet Charlie’ also had consistently higher total yield than ‘Camarosa’ (457 vs. 400 g/plant in the 2006-2007 season and 446 vs. 406 g/plant in the 2007-2008 season). Treatment did not have a consistent effect on the fruit quality traits measured. The results indicated that although SD conditioning, Ch and GA3 treatments may have an effect on the total and early yield of strawberries, these effects may be cultivar-dependent and further regulated by environmental factors. Therefore, we propose that low-chilling varieties be utilized for early fruit production that can initiate flower buds in warmer, longer days.

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Tergitol TMN-6 for Thinning Peach Blossoms

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.7.1611 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (7) ◽

pp. 1611-1613

Author(s):

B.S. Wilkins ◽

R.C. Ebel ◽

W.A. Dozier ◽

J. Pitts ◽

R. Boozer

Keyword(s):

Relative Humidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Full Bloom ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Time Of Application ◽

Chemical Treatments ◽

Leaf Yellowing

This study was conducted to determine efficacy of Tergitol TMN-6 in thinning peach blossoms. A pretest was conducted and demonstrated no difference between TMN-6 and TMN-10 in efficacy when applied at full bloom or petal fall and at rates of 20 and 40 mL·L-1. In the main test, Tergitol TMN-6 was sprayed once at 10, 20, or 30 mL·L-1 at full bloom or petal fall and compared to an unsprayed control for 3 years. Tergitol caused widespread necrosis of flower parts including sepals, petals, pistils, stamens and peduncles. There was a difference among chemical treatments with more fruit removed at higher concentrations, although the amount of fruit removed was similar for the 20 and 30 mL·L-1 rates. There was no difference in thinning response at full bloom or petal fall, indicating a wide window of efficacy. There was also a difference among years, which was apparently not related to temperature or relative humidity during time of application. Tergitol caused some leaf yellowing and tip burn especially at the higher rates when leaves were present, but the trees did not appear to be seriously affected. Fruit weight was either not affected or larger in some years from treatment. Unlike higher concentrations, tergitol at 10 mL·L-1 did not negatively impact fruit number per tree at harvest. At harvest, fruit weight, skin blush, firmness, and soluble solids at harvest were not affected by treatment. Tergitol TMN-6 proved to be an effective thinning agent and when applied from full bloom to petal fall at 10 mL·L-1 it did not adversely affect the tree or fruit.

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High-density linkage map construction and identification of loci regulating fruit quality traits in blueberry

Horticulture Research ◽

10.1038/s41438-021-00605-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Molla F. Mengist ◽

Hamed Bostan ◽

Elisheba Young ◽

Kristine L. Kay ◽

Nicholas Gillitt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linkage Map ◽

Fruit Quality ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

High Density ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Quality Traits ◽

Total Soluble Solids ◽

Fruit Quality Traits ◽

High Density Linkage Map

AbstractFruit quality traits play a significant role in consumer preferences and consumption in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L). The objectives of this study were to construct a high-density linkage map and to identify the underlying genetic basis of fruit quality traits in blueberry. A total of 287 F1 individuals derived from a cross between two southern highbush blueberry cultivars, ‘Reveille’ and ‘Arlen’, were phenotyped over three years (2016–2018) for fruit quality-related traits, including titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, and fruit weight. A high-density linkage map was constructed using 17k single nucleotide polymorphisms markers. The linkage map spanned a total of 1397 cM with an average inter-loci distance of 0.08 cM. The quantitative trait loci interval mapping based on the hidden Markov model identified 18 loci for fruit quality traits, including seven loci for fruit weight, three loci for titratable acidity, five loci for pH, and three loci for total soluble solids. Ten of these loci were detected in more than one year. These loci explained phenotypic variance ranging from 7 to 28% for titratable acidity and total soluble solid, and 8–13% for pH. However, the loci identified for fruit weight did not explain more than 10% of the phenotypic variance. We also reported the association between fruit quality traits and metabolites detected by Proton nuclear magnetic resonance analysis directly responsible for these fruit quality traits. Organic acids, citric acid, and quinic acid were significantly (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with titratable acidity. Sugar molecules showed a strong and positive correlation with total soluble solids. Overall, the study dissected the genetic basis of fruit quality traits and established an association between these fruit quality traits and metabolites.

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The Effect of Weed Competition on Apple Fruit Quality

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ◽

10.15835/nbha45110556 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 120-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ersin ATAY ◽

Seckin GARGIN ◽

Ahmet ESITKEN ◽

N. Pinar GUZEL ◽

A. Nilgun ATAY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Apple Orchard ◽

High Density ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Weed Competition ◽

Soluble Solids Content ◽

Solids Content ◽

Potassium Magnesium

Orchard performance is influenced by weed competition. In this study, the effects of weed competition on nutrient contents, chemical and physical fruit quality properties were sought. The study was carried out in a high-density apple orchard (‘Golden Delicious’/M.9) over two consecutive growing seasons. The effect of weed competition was studied at three different levels: weak, moderate and strong. Fruit firmness, soluble solids content, macronutrients (such as nitrogen, potassium and calcium) and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio in fruit were significantly affected by weed competition. Strong weed competition negatively affected soluble solids content and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio. In both trial years, soluble solids content was significantly higher in weak weed competition. In the first year of the study, soluble solids content ranged between 13.77±0.06% (strong weed competition) and 15.20±0.10% (weak weed competition). In the following year, soluble solids content values were determined as 13.13±0.23% in strong weed competition and 13.83±0.21% in weak weed competition. Weak weed competition showed superiority for fruit weight and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio. As a whole, this study indicates that insufficient weed control in tree rows might be a limiting factor for fruit quality in high-density apple orchards.

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Fruit production and quality of mini-watermelon with different number of stems, in troughs cultivation system and substrate reuse

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n2p471 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 471-486

Author(s):

Josiéle Garcia Dutra ◽

◽

Roberta Marins Nogueira Peil ◽

Tatiana da Silva Duarte ◽

Cesar Valmor Rombaldi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Plant Management ◽

Cultivation System ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

The One

Substrate-filled pots are growing systems commonly used for vegetable farming. However, few are the studies available relating them to mini-watermelon cultivation. Our study presents a growing system using substrate-filled troughs and leachate recirculation as a low-cost and less environmentally harmful soilless cultivation system for mini-watermelons. For a growing system to be viable and provide high fruit yield and quality, several aspects must be studied, including substrate physical properties and reuse potential in successive crops, besides plant management-related aspects. Therefore, our goal was to evaluate the effects of a trough system and substrate reuse on changes in the properties of raw rice husk and on fruit yield and quality for mini-watermelons at different stem training. To this purpose, two trials were conducted using nutrient solution recirculation systems. In the first, we evaluated the effects of pot and trough systems. In the second, first- and second-use substrates were compared in the trough system. In both trials, one and two-stem training systems were analyzed. The results of the first trial show that the trough system had a greater positive impact on substrate water holding capacity (WHC), which increased from 7.9 to 15.6%, while the pots increased substrate WHC only to 11.2%. However, both systems neither affected fruit yield (8 kg/m² on average) nor fruit quality. The two-stem training promoted higher fruit yields (4.2 kg/plant) and contents of total soluble solids - TSS (11.4 °Brix) but did not affect average fruit weight. Moreover, the one-stem training provided higher fruit number (7.3 fruits/m²) and fruit yield (9.7 kg/m²). In the second trial, the reused substrate showed a higher WHC (12.4%) than the one used for the first time (9.9%). The reused substrate also provided better results in terms of fruit yield and quality (5.9 fruits/m², 5.3 kg/m², and 10.5o Brix). In the second trial, two-stem training also increased average fruit weight, and hence yields per plant. Nevertheless, the stem number did not affect fruit number per plant, fruit yield per square meter, and fruit quality.

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FOLIAR APPLICATIONS OF ZINC, IRON AND MANGANESE INFLUENCE THE PLANT GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY OF PAPAYA CV. RED LADY

Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.18006/2020.8(5).551.557 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 551-557

Author(s):

Gurjot Singh Pelia ◽

◽

A K Baswal ◽

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Fruit Quality ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Ascorbic Acid Content ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Total Carotenoids ◽

Heavy Soil

Prevalence of heavy soil is a major problem for fruit cultivation under Punjab conditions consequently leading to deficiency of several micro-nutrients including zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) which adversely affects the growth and productivity. In this view, a study was planned to investigate the effect of foliar applications of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4), iron sulphate (FeSO4), and manganese sulphate (MnSO4) on vegetative growth, reproductive growth and fruit quality of papaya cv. Red lady. Plants sprayed with ZnSO4 (0.4 %) exhibited significantly highest plant height, plant girth, number of leaves, petiole length; initiated an earliest flowering and fruiting; and improved fruit quality viz., fruit weight, fruit length, titratable acidity, soluble solids concentrations, ascorbic acid content, total phenols content, and total carotenoids content as compared with the control and all other treatments. In conclusion, foliar application ZnSO4 (0.4 %) significantly improved plant growth and fruit quality in papaya cv. Red lady.

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