ReTain Effects on Fruit Size, Maturity, and Storage Quality of' Jonagold' Apples

ReTain™, a commercial plant growth regulator containing aminoethoxyvinylglycine, an inhibitor of ethylene production, was applied 4 weeks before normal harvest to `Jonagold' trees and the effects on fruit maturity and quality at harvest, and quality after air and controlled atmosphere storage was investigated. When fruit were harvested from 3 to 6 weeks after treatment, fruit ripening was inhibited as indicated by lower internal ethylene concentrations, delayed starch hydrolysis, and lower levels of skin greasiness. A number of factors indicated that other aspects of fruit metabolism were affected by the compound. Treated fruit were softer than nontreated fruit at the first harvest, and the benefits of ReTain on firmness appeared only at the later harvests. Also, at each harvest date, average fruit weight of ReTain-treated fruit was lower than nontreated fruit. We have investigated the possibility the ReTain and/or the accompanying surfactant, Silwet, inhibited leaf photosynthesis, thereby leading to altered carbon metabolism. Trees were unsprayed, or sprayed with surfactant, and ReTain plus surfactant. No treatment effects on photosynthesis were detected. However, leaf photosynthesis rates were generally low and quite variable. Measurements of fruit diameter confirmed that the increase in fruit volume following treatment was ≈2% less on the ReTain plus surfactant-treated fruit than nontreated fruit. The increase in fruit volume for the Silwet treatment was ≈1.5% less than in untreated fruit. The data indicates a rapid change in fruit volume as fruit changed in color. Inhibition of ethylene by ReTain may be an important factor influencing fruit size.

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The effects of rapid chilling and storage conditions on the quality of Brigitta Blue cultivar highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Folia Horticulturae ◽

10.1515/fhort-2015-0006 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 147-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Karolina Kozos ◽

Ireneusz Ochmian ◽

Piotr Chełpiński

Keyword(s):

Storage Conditions ◽

Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽

Fresh Fruit ◽

Controlled Atmosphere ◽

Controlled Atmosphere Storage ◽

Cold Room ◽

Highbush Blueberries ◽

Atmosphere Storage ◽

And Storage

ABSTRACT Controlled atmosphere storage allows for the long-term and short-term storage of fruit without a significant decrease in quality, resulting in a longer shelflife of fresh fruit. The Department of Horticulture at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin conducted research on the effects of post-harvest precooling (3-4°C within two hours) and storage conditions (conventional cold room and controlled atmosphere storage) on fruit firmness, chemical composition, colour and weight loss. After six weeks of storage, it was found that the quality of fruit had declined. In comparison with fresh fruit, the harvest was found to have lost weight and darkened in colour. In addition, a decrease in firmness and the content of ascorbic acid and polyphenolic compounds was also observed. The fruits that were stored in a cold room with a controlled atmosphere and rapidly chilled immediately after harvest were the least affected. In addition, the research showed that there was a high correlation between the anthocyanin index and the polyphenol content in the fruits. To maintain the high quality of the fruit, the fruit must be very rapidly cooled soon after harvest and stored under optimal conditions - a cold room with a controlled atmosphere.

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Regulating Budbreak, Flowering, and Fruit Maturity in Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) cv. `Bing' by Surfactant and Nitrate Applications

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.4.603e ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 603e-603

Author(s):

K.G. Weis ◽

S.M. Southwick ◽

J.T. Yeager ◽

W.W. Coates ◽

Michael E. Rupert

Keyword(s):

Sweet Cherry ◽

Prunus Avium ◽

Fruit Set ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Calcium Nitrate ◽

Potassium Nitrate ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Full Bloom ◽

Fruit Maturity ◽

Flower And Fruit Development

The years 1995 and 1996 were low chill years in California with respect to stone fruit dormancy. Advancing reproductive budbreak and flowering was accomplished in `Bing' cherry (Prunus avium) by single-spray treatments of a surfactant {a polymeric alkoxylated fatty amine [N,N-bis 2-(omega-hydroxypolyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene) ethyl alkylamine]} and potassium nitrate in combination when applied at “tightbud,” ≈ 42 days (1 Feb. 1995) before full bloom and with surfactant and potassium nitrate in combination when 10% green calyx was apparent, 33 days before full bloom. Applying 2% surfactant (v/v) + 6% potassium nitrate (w/v) was most effective in advancing bloom, speeding progression through bloom, and advancing fruit maturity when applied at tightbud stage. Surfactant (2% or 4%) applied with 25% or 35% calcium nitrate (w/v) on 2 Feb. 1996 significantly advanced full bloom compared to nontreated controls. Fruit maturity (1995) was somewhat advanced by surfactant–nitrate treatments, but fruit set and final fruit weight were equivalent among treatments. No phytotoxicity was noted in foliage or fruit. In California, marginal and insufficient winter chilling often causes irregular, extended, or delayed bloom periods, resulting in poor bloom-overlap with pollenizers. As a result, flower and fruit development may be so variable as to have small, green and ripe fruit on the same tree, making harvest more time consuming and costly. Data indicate that this surfactant, in combination with a nitrogenous compound, has potential to advance reproductive budbreak and advance maturity in sweet cherry without reducing fruit set or fruit size. Advancing the ripening time of sweet cherry even 2 to 3 days can increase the price received per 8.2-kg box by $10 to $20.

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Field Applications of Fungicides Improve Quality and Size of Some Pumpkin Cultivars

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.4.676a ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 676a-676

Author(s):

Charles A. McClurg

Keyword(s):

Cucurbita Pepo ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Marketing Strategies ◽

Fungal Diseases ◽

Didymella Bryoniae ◽

Erysiphe Cichoracearum ◽

Fruit Maturity ◽

General Benefit

Commercial producers of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) in the mid-Atlantic region frequently experience losses of fruit size and quality from the fungal diseases powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and black rot (Didymella bryoniae). In addition to loss of fruit size in some cultivars, the diseases can result in poor quality handles (fruit stems) and pre- and postharvest decay. Since the pumpkins are grown for ornamental use, their appearance, size, and quality are important in marketing strategies. Applications of recommended fungicides during the growing season, although costly, reduce losses in fruit size and quality in susceptible cultivars during years in which the pathogens become established prior to fruit maturity. Larger-fruited cultivars, in general, benefit more from fungicide application than smaller-fruited types in fruit weight, although both benefit in improved handle quality. Cultivars with apparent tolerance to fungal diseases are identified for producers who choose not to use fungicides.

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QUALIDADE E PRODUTIVIDADE DE FRUTOS DE FIGO CULTIVADO EM TRÊS DENSIDADES DE PLANTIO

Colloquium Agrariae ◽

10.5747/ca.2018.v14.n4.a260 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 161-166

Author(s):

Scheila Lucia Ecker ◽

Clevison Luiz Giacobbo ◽

Leandro Galon ◽

Adriana Lugaresi ◽

Gian Carlos Girardi

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Planting Density ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Fig Tree

The objective of this work was to verify the influence of planting density on productivity and fruit quality of the fig tree. The design was used in three blocks, the plants of the cultivar Roxo de Valinhos were submitted to three planting spacings: 5 x 0.5 m; 5 x 1.0 m; and 5 x 1.5 m. The evaluated characteristics were: length of branches; average weekly growth of branches; fruit size; average fruit weight;soluble solids (°Brix); yield of mature fruits; productivity of green fruits; accumulated productivity; and dry mass of fruits.The length of the branches was not influenced by planting spacing, the plants conducted at lower densities presented higher productivity, both of green fruits and accumulated productivity.Plants submitted to lower planting density produced fruits with higher dry matter, but these were smaller in size, but without significant difference for those submitted to lower density. It wasconcluded that productivity is directly affected by fig planting density, but not all the qualitative aspects of the fruits were affected.

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Effect of Particle Film on Fruit Sunburn, Maturity and Quality of `Fuji' and `Honeycrisp' Apples

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.12.1.87 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 87-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

James R. Schupp ◽

Esmaeil Fallahi ◽

Ik-Jo Chun

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Fruit Color ◽

Agricultural Crops ◽

Mineral Concentration ◽

Color Development ◽

Red Color ◽

Fruit Maturity ◽

Honeycrisp Apples

Studies were initiated in Idaho and New York to determine the effects of Surround, a kaolin clay particle film product recently labeled as a crop protectant for agricultural crops, on fruit maturity and quality of `Fuji' and `Honeycrisp' apples (Malus×domestica) and fruit mineral concentration of `Fuji' apples. Surround reduced fruit weight, red color, and the incidence of sunburn of `Fuji' apples in Idaho. Sunburn did not occur on `Honeycrisp' in the New York study. In that study, Surround had no effect on fruit weight or red fruit color when applied in May and June but reduced fruit weight and red color when applied later. The reduction in red color development observed in both `Fuji' and `Honeycrisp' was not related to mineral nutrients or to a delay in fruit maturity. Surround applications resulted in undesirable residues in the basin and in the cavity of harvested fruit that were not satisfactorily removed by brushing on a commercial packing line. While effective for reducing sunburn, Surround was ineffective for increasing red fruit color of apples.

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Ammonium thiosulfate and 6-benzyladenine improve the crop load and fruit quality of 'Delicious' apples

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea05217 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 47 (5) ◽

pp. 635 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

S. A. Bound ◽

S. J. Wilson

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Positive Relationship ◽

Sugar Content ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Fruit Firmness ◽

Single Application ◽

Crop Load ◽

Ammonium Thiosulfate

Four trials were conducted over 3 years to assess the effect of ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) as a blossom thinner of ‘Delicious’ apple trees. In addition to determining the optimal concentration of ATS and the effectiveness of multiple applications, the effect on fruit quality was assessed. A program using ATS at bloom and 6-benzyladenine (BA) applied postbloom was examined. Multiple applications of ATS reduced crop load more than a single application. A concentration of 1.0% (v/v, 5800 mg/L) applied twice during the flowering period is recommended, with the first application at 20% bloom and the second at 80% bloom. Fruit firmness and sugar content were increased by ATS, and a positive relationship between fruit weight and sugar content and between fruit weight and firmness was demonstrated. ATS can also be effectively combined in a program with BA with the added benefits of increases in fruit size, firmness and sugar content; however, caution is advised to prevent over-thinning.

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Nitrogen Fertilization, Midsummer Trunk Girdling, and AVG Treatments Affect Maturity and Quality of `Jonagold' Apples

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.3.493 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 493-500 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

James M. Wargo ◽

Ian A. Merwin ◽

Christopher B. Watkins

Keyword(s):

Fruit Size ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Color Development ◽

Red Color ◽

Fruit Maturity ◽

N Status ◽

Red Coloration ◽

Leaf N

`Jonagold' apples [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] often fail to develop adequate red coloration at maturity and become soft and greasy in storage. During two growing seasons, we tested factorial combinations of three preharvest treatments affecting `Jonagold' quality at harvest and after storage: 1) three nitrogen (N) treatments [36 kg·ha-1 soil applied N, 6.9 kg·ha-1 of urea-N (1% w/v) in foliar sprays mid-May and June, or no N fertilizers]; 2) trunk girdling in early August each year; and 3) foliar applications of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, formulated as ReTain) 3 weeks before the first scheduled harvest. Fruit were sampled at four weekly intervals each year and evaluated for maturity and quality at harvest and after storage. Foliar urea and soil-applied N delayed red color development in 1998 but not 1999, increased fruit size in girdled and nonAVG treated trees in both years, and increased greasiness in 1999 only. AVG reduced fruit greasiness after storage both years. Nitrogen uptake was reduced in the dry Summer 1999, but N treatments still increased poststorage flesh breakdown. Mid-summer trunk girdling increased red coloration and intensity both years and improved market-grade packout. This effect was not caused by advanced maturity, although trunk girdling slightly increased skin greasiness. Girdling reduced fruit size only on trees of low N status. The AVG applications delayed maturity and red color development by 7 to 10 days in both years compared with untreated fruit. In 1998, the combination of AVG and N fertilization delayed red color development more than either treatment alone. Fruit softening and greasiness were reduced in AVG-treated fruit harvested at the same time as untreated fruit, but this effect was not observed when AVG treated fruit were harvested at comparable maturity 7 to 10 days later. Trunk girdling and withholding N fertilizer were the best treatments for enhancing red coloration, and foliar N concentrations of ≈2.0% (W/W) resulted in better packouts compared with higher leaf N levels. AVG was an effective tool for delaying fruit maturity and maintaining fruit quality awaiting harvest, but not for improving red coloration of `Jonagold' apples.

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Peach Latent Mosaic Viroid Reduces Tree Growth and Affects Fruit Quality in Peach

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.4.850c ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 850C-850

Author(s):

Gregory Reighard* ◽

David Ouellette ◽

Kathy Brock ◽

Duy Nguyen

Keyword(s):

Skin Color ◽

Blot Hybridization ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Dot Blot ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Control Fruit ◽

Fruit Maturity

`Coronet' peach on Lovell rootstock was planted near Clemson, S.C., in Dec. 1995 in 4 rows (= reps) 6.1 meters apart with trees 2.2 meters apart in-row. Trees were trained to a Kearney-V. In the 2nd leaf (Aug. 1997), `Ta Tao 5' buds were grafted to half (= 6-tree plot) the trees in each row. These trees received 2 `Ta Tao 5' chip buds infected with Peach Latent Mosaic Viroid (PLMVd) per scaffold at ≈0.75 to 1.15 m above ground. Dot blot hybridization confirmed that the chip buds successfully (100%) inoculated the treated trees, whereas the controls tested negative. Data collected in 2003 included bloom date, tree size, dormant and summer pruning times, fruit maturity date, fruit yield, mean fruit weight, skin color, soluble solids, flesh firmness, titratable acidity, and pH. Flowering and fruit maturity were delayed by ≈4 days in PLMVd-inoculated (PI) trees. PI trees produced larger fruit, but yield was 23% less than that of non-inoculated trees. Both fruit size and yield had been larger in PI trees in previous years. There were no differences in yield efficiency in 2003, but PI trees were 26% smaller in trunk cross-sectional area and 9% shorter. PI trees took 34% and 23% less time to dormant and summer prune, respectively and had 34% and 28% less wood removed by dormant and summer pruning, respectively than control trees. PLMVd increased fruit firmness, and PLMVd fruit lost firmness at a much slower rate. PLMVd did not significantly affect skin color, but PLMVD fruit were slightly less red. Soluble solid levels were higher in PLMVd fruit than control fruit during the first harvest, but were lower by the last harvest. Acidity was significantly higher and the soluble solids to acidity ratio significantly lower in PLMVd fruit. Control fruit had a slightly higher pH.

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110 Postharvest Quality of Tamarillo Fruits under Different Storage Temperatures

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.3.407f ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 407F-408

Author(s):

J.E. Manzano-Méndez ◽

J.G. Diaz

Keyword(s):

Storage Time ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Postharvest Quality ◽

Soluble Solid ◽

Increasing Temperature ◽

And Storage ◽

Plastic Containers ◽

Storage Temperatures ◽

Green Stage

Tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea L.) fruits, grown in the Venezuela Andes farms, were harvested at mature-green stage, graded, selected, washed, and transported to the posharvest lab. for analysis. Fruits were stored into plastic containers in storage rooms at (5, 10, and 15 °C for 3 weeks. The soluble solid concentration (SSC), pH, tritatable acidity (TA), ratio SSC/TA, color: L*, Hue, Chroma, color index (a+b)/L × 100, texture, and fresh fruit weight loss (FFWL) in pulp extract and in the whole fruit were determined on the first day of harvest and at the end of each storage week. These parameters ranged as follows: SSC: 7.92–8.84%, pH: 4.06–4.35, TA: 1.14%–1.21% (expressed as citric acid), SSC/TA: 1.58–1.75, Chroma 42.72—45.54, FFWL: 0.83% at the second storage day to 4.39% at the 3rd storage week. Also, FFWL was 1.03%–1.40% for 10 and 15 °C, respectively. Fruits stored at the highest temperature increased pH values, the TA decreased with stored time, the Chroma and FFWL values increased with the increasing temperature and storage time.

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Effect of plant growth regulators on growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) under protected conditions

Journal of Applied and Natural Science ◽

10.31018/jans.v9i3.1420 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 1676-1681

Author(s):

Yash Thakur ◽

J. S. Chandel ◽

Pramod Verma

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Foliar Spray ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Completely Randomized Design ◽

And Control ◽

Control Water

A field trial was conducted during 2015 and 2016, to study the effect ofgrowth regulators on growth, flowering, yield and fruit quality of strawberry cv. Chandler. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 16 treatments viz.CPPU at 1, 2 and 4 ppm, GA3 at 25, 50 and 75 ppm, Promalin at 2, 4 and 6 ppm, GA4+7 at 5, 10 and15 ppm, NAA at 10, 20 and 30 ppm and control (water spray) and each treatment was replicated thrice. The results revealed that the plants sprayed with 15 ppm GA4+7 two weeks before flowering significantly reported highest plant height (33.43 cm), leaf area (239.70 cm2), number of flowers (31.94), fruit set (87.45 %), number of fruits per plant (29.02), yield (540.01 g/plant), fruit length (53.63 mm) and fruit diameter (37.19 mm) and fruit weight (23.70 g) as compared to control. This treatment resulted in 196.36 % increase in yield and 56.22 %in fruit weight over control. Plants sprayed with 6 ppm promalin also showed significant improvement in vegetative growth, fruit size, yield and fruit quality, which resulted in 137.92 % increase in yield and 51.81 % increase in fruit weight over control. Hence, it is concluded that foliar spray of 15 ppm GA4+7 applied 2 weeks before flowering is beneficial in improving growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberry plants.

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