Fruit Variability and Relationships between Color at Harvest and Quality during Storage of Uapaca kirkiana (Muell. Arg.) Fruit from Natural Woodlands

The full commercial potential of wild loquat [Uapaca kirkiana (Muell. Arg.)], a fruit that is widely used for food and income in parts of Africa, is restricted by its short shelf life and variability in postharvest quality. We have evaluated within and among tree variability in fruit size and color at harvest, and changes of color, soluble solids concentrations (SSC) and pulp deterioration during storage, of fruit harvested during the maturation period. The relationships between fruit shape, size, seed number and SSC of fruit harvested at the ripe stage of maturity was also assessed. Size and color of fruit within and among trees at harvest varied greatly within the same location on the same harvest date. The a* values (redness) were more variable than for other color attributes, reflecting a range of fruit colors from greenish to brown. During a 6 day storage period, fruit color lightness and yellowness decreased, while redness increased, and variation in color attributes decreased. Although fruit color intensified during storage, the SSC of fruit after ripening was linked more with fruit color at harvest, with mean concentrations ranging from 6.7% to 13.8% among trees. When fruit were harvested four weeks later and categorized by color at harvest, SSC varied from 11.8% in greenish-yellow fruit to 14.5% in browner fruit. Pulp deterioration of stored fruit harvested unripe was observed by 6 days. The SSC of fruit harvested when ripe was not significantly correlated with shape, size or seed number. These observations have important implications for germplasm selection and collection of U. kirkiana for domestication purposes. Timing of harvest and/or postharvest sorting of fruit is likely to reduce variability in SSC during the postharvest period.

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Interaction Between CPPU and NAA on Fruit Thinning and Fruit Development in Selected Apple Cultivars

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.513c ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 513c-513 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Martin J. Bukovac ◽

Jerome Hull ◽

John C. Neilsen ◽

Michael Schroeder ◽

Georg Noga

Keyword(s):

Total Yield ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Frost Damage ◽

Fruit Growth ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Seed Number ◽

Crop Load ◽

Fruit Thinning ◽

Carpel Development ◽

Return Bloom

NAA is used extensively for fruit thinning of apples to increase fruit size and to promote return bloom. In some cultivars, even if thinning is achieved, fruit size at harvest may be less than expected based on crop load. CPPU, N-(2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)-N.-phenylurea, has been shown to increase fruit growth in apples, grapes, and kiwi. We evaluated combinations of NAA and CPPU on thinning, fruit growth and return bloom in Redchief `Delicious', `Elstar', and `Gloster'. CPPU was applied at 5 mgμL–1 (based on 0 to 10 mgμL–1 response curve) in combination with 15 mgμL–1 NAA as high-volume sprays at 7 to 10 mm KFD. Yield and fruit size distribution (on total yield) were used as index of response. In `Delicious', CPPU (3-year study) increased % large (70 mm+) fruit, but in the presence of NAA % large fruit was reduced 2 of the 3 years. CPPU did not induce significant thinning. There were no significant effects on color or soluble solids; firmness was increased slightly and seed number reduced. The L/D ratio was increased and uneven lobe and carpel development was common. CPPU had no significant effect on return bloom in presence or absence of NAA, but NAA increased bloom in both the presence and absence of CPPU. With `Elstar' (2-year study) there was no significant thinning with either chemical, but CPPU increased mean fruit size and % large (70–80 mm) fruit over nonthinned, but not significantly greater than NAA alone. There were no significant differences in firmness, color, soluble solids or seed number. NAA + CPPU did not inhibit fruit growth or cause excessive uneven carpel development. Frost damage reduced crop load in `Gloster' where results were similar to `Elstar' except seed number was reduced by the NAA + CPPU combination.

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Yield and evaluation of F1 tomato hybrids incorporating the non-ripening nor gene

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9830106 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 23 (120) ◽

pp. 106 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

WB McGlasson ◽

JB Sumeghy ◽

LL Morris ◽

RL McBride ◽

DJ Best ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

F1 Hybrids ◽

Parental Genotype ◽

Ripe Fruit ◽

Heterozygous Condition ◽

Ripe Stage ◽

Colour Development

F1 hybrids of the nor non-ripening mutant tomato in different genotypic backgrounds were evaluated between 1978-81. The nor gene in the heterozygous condition delayed the start of ripening by a few days, increased the interval between breaker and the table ripe stage to 10 d at 21�C compared with 6 d for fixed cultivars and increased the storage life of ripe fruit at 21�C by about 50%. The retention of firmness by ripe fruit of the hybrids was affected by parental genotype. Fruit of some hybrids was firmer or as firm as fruit of the hard commercial Flora-Dade but others were much softer. A major problem with fruit of F1 nor hybrids was poor colour development. The fruit ripened to an orange-red colour, and strains with green shoulders developed an unattractive yellow on the shoulders. This deficiency was most pronounced in fruit picked before the appearance of red colour. The best hybrid found in this study was 75T10-1 x nor backcross 4 or 5 Heinz 1350. Fruit size, soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, total ascorbic acid levels and acceptability except external colour of table ripe fruit appeared to be influenced by the parental genotype rather than by the nor gene. Since there were marked differences between hybrids with different genotypic backgrounds, it should be possible to breed nor hybrids with improved colour and firmness.

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Cold storage of peaches cv. Aurora grown in the Zona da Mata Mineira, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Revista CERES ◽

10.1590/s0034-737x2013000600012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 60 (6) ◽

pp. 833-841 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Danielle Fabíola Pereira Silva ◽

Mariana Rodrigues Ribeiro ◽

José Osmar da Costa e Silva ◽

Rosana Gonçalves Pires Matias ◽

Claudio Horst Bruckner

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Mass Loss ◽

Storage Period ◽

Ascorbic Acid Content ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Fresh Mass ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Postharvest Quality ◽

Co2 Production

This study aimed to evaluate the postharvest behavior of peach cv. Aurora 1 harvested in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais in two ripening stages and kept under different storage temperatures. Fruits on mid-ripe and fully ripe stages were stored at three temperatures: 5.6 ± 1.57 °C and 72.8 ± 3.8% RH; 10.4 ± 0.5 °C and 95.8 ± 5.5% RH; 21.04 ± 1.63 °C and 96.9 ± 2.6% RH up to 28 storage days (SD) . During storage, fruits stored at 21.04 ± 1.63 °C were evaluated every two days until 8 SD, and every four days for fruits stored at other temperatures. The harvest day was assigned as day zero. The variables evaluated were CO2 production, color of the pericarp and pulp, fresh mass loss, flesh firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, contents of ascorbic acid and carotenoids. The fresh mass loss increased during storage, peaking at 5.6 °C. The reduction in ascorbic acid content was higher in fully ripe fruits at all temperatures. Mid-ripe fruits reached the end of the storage period with better quality. The temperature of 10.4 °C was the most efficient in keeping postharvest quality of peach cv. Aurora 1 harvested in the Zona da Mata region.

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Crop Load Influences Fruit Quality, Nutritional Balance, and Return Bloom in ‘Honeycrisp’ Apple

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.51.3.236 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 236-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Sara Serra ◽

Rachel Leisso ◽

Luca Giordani ◽

Lee Kalcsits ◽

Stefano Musacchi

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Postharvest Quality ◽

Soluble Solid Content ◽

Crop Load ◽

Apple Variety ◽

Return Bloom ◽

The Impact

The apple variety, ‘Honeycrisp’ has been extensively planted in North America during the last two decades. However, it suffers from several agronomic problems that limit productivity and postharvest quality. To reduce losses, new information is needed to better describe the impact of crop load on productivity and postharvest fruit quality in a desert environment and the major region where ‘Honeycrisp’ expansion is occurring. Here, 7-year-old ‘Honeycrisp’ trees on the M9-Nic29 rootstock (2.5 × 0.9 m) were hand thinned to five different crop loads [from 4.7 to 16.0 fruit/cm2 of trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA)] to compare fruit quality, maturity, fruit size, elemental concentration, and return bloom. Fruit size distribution was affected by crop load. Trees with the highest crop load (16 fruit/cm2) produced smaller fruit. Index of absorbance difference (IAD) measurements (absorption difference between 670 and 720 nm), a proxy indicator of the chlorophyll content below the skin of fruit measured by a DA-meter, were made shortly after harvest (T0) and after 6 months of storage (T1). Fruit from the trees with the lowest crop load had lower IAD values indicating advanced fruit ripeness. The comparison between the IAD classes at T0 and T1 showed that fruit belonging to the lowest IAD class had significantly higher red-blushed overcolor percentage, firmness, dry matter, and soluble solid content than those in the “most unripe” class (highest IAD readings) regardless of crop load. The percentage of blushed color, firmness, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids content, and dry matter were all higher in the lowest crop loads at both T0 and T1. Fruit calcium (Ca) concentration was lowest at the lowest crop load. The (K + Mg + N):Ca ratio decreased as crop load increased until a crop load of 11.3 fruit/cm2, which was not significantly different from higher crop loads. For return bloom, the highest number of flower clusters per tree was reported for 4.7 fruit/cm2 crop load, and generally it decreased as crop load increased. Here, we highlight the corresponding changes in fruit quality, storability, and elemental balance with tree crop load. To maintain high fruit quality and consistency in yield, careful crop load management is required to minimize bienniality and improve fruit quality and storability.

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THE EFFECTS OF FOLIARLY APPLIED CALCIUM ON FRUIT CALCIUM, FIRMNESS, SOLUBLE SOLIDS, STORABILITY AND ORGANOLEPTIC QUALITY OF `CRESTHAVEN' PEACH

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.25.9.1147c ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 25 (9) ◽

pp. 1147c-1147

Author(s):

J. Anthony Hopfinger ◽

Donald W. Shaffner ◽

Eric D. Cubberley

Keyword(s):

Size Distribution ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Storage Period ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

High Rate ◽

Calcium Treatment ◽

Crop Load ◽

Texture Profile

Both Cacl2 and Nutrical (a trihydroxyglutarate chelate) were foliarly applied at rates of 1.8 and 5.5 Cacl2/ha/season and 1.5 and 4.5 l/ha/season, respectively. Applications were made starting at shuck split and repeated at 2 week intervals until harvest. Neither calcium treatment had an effect on fruit size and size distribution. Fruit size was directly related to crop load. Calcium chloride application had the most pronounced effect on increasing the red over-color of `Cresthaven' peaches with Nutrical intermediate compared to the control. The high rate of Nutrical increased flesh calcium levels at harvest by 75-100 PPM. Instron Texture Profile Analysis indicated that any calcium treatment significantly increased the hardness of the peach. Nutrical at 4.5 l/ha/season improved hardness 2-fold compared to the controls. The improved hardness was maintained throughout the 6 week storage period.

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Pepino Dulce (Solanum muricatum Ait.) Quality Characteristics Respond to Nitrogen Nutrition and Salinity

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.118.1.86 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 118 (1) ◽

pp. 86-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

D. Pluda ◽

H.D. Rabinowitch ◽

U. Kafkafi

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Fruit Quality ◽

Nitrogen Nutrition ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Chloride Concentration ◽

Fruit Shape ◽

Quality Characteristics ◽

Chloride Ions ◽

Soluble Solids

The effect of fertigation with N-NO3 at 3, 6, or 12 mmol·liter-1, and 0, 3, or 6 dS·m-1 chloride ions on fruit quality of three pepino dulce selections was studied. Genotypes varied considerably in their response to mineral treatments in most quality characteristics. Variation in fruit size was greatly reduced when clusters were thinned to three fruit. Increasing chloride concentration in the nutrient soltuion reduced fruit size significantly and ascorbic acid concentration relative to the control, but fruit shape was not affected. Increases in NaCl salt, but not N concentration, resulted in significantly higher soluble solids concentration (SSC) and firmness in all three genotypes. Electrical conductivity, acidity, and pH were significantly affected by the two mineral treatments in the first trial, but remained unchanged in the second season. Fruit firmness, SSC, and acidity declined by 12% to 30%, whereas ascorbic acid content increased during 14 days storage at room temperature. These changes depended on genotype and environment during fruit growth and development. Organoleptic ratings were highest in salt-treated plants. Fruit quality of pepino dulce may be manipulated by crop management, thus improving its acceptability in Western markets.

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Rootstock, Time, Technique, and Quantity of Nitrogen Effects on Production, Mineral Nutrition, and Postharvest Quality of `Fuji' Apple

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.787a ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 787A-787

Author(s):

Esmaeil Fallahi ◽

Brenda R. Simons

Keyword(s):

Tree Growth ◽

Fruit Color ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Postharvest Quality ◽

Starch Degradation ◽

Yield Efficiency ◽

Early Results ◽

Fuji Apple ◽

Leaf N

The influence of three rootstocks, various levels of soil-applied nitrogen in fall, and spring spray applications with and without minimum ground nitrogen on tree growth, productivity, leaf and fruit nutrient partitioning, and postharvest quality of fruit at harvest and after storage in `B.C. 2 Fuji' apple was studied over several seasons. Early results showed that trees on M.26 and M.9 were more precocious and had higher yield and yield efficiency. Trees on M.9 had significantly higher leaf Ca and incidence of sunburned fruit than those on other rootstocks. Trees on M.7 had larger fruit and higher leaf N, K, and Cu, but had lower fruit starch degradation pattern (SDP) and leaf Ca. Soluble solids at harvest were lower in fruit from trees on M.26 rootstock. Trees with fall nitrogen application had lower leaf N and better fruit color. Lower quantities of N application had smaller fruit but better fruit color and higher firmness at harvest. Fruit from all rootstocks did not produce ethylene for several days in the ripening chambers. After this period, fruit on M.9 rootstock produced ethylene before those from other rootstocks. Trees established with only nitrogen spray without any ground application had leaf N deficiency after they started bearing fruit. Establishment of a new `Fuji' orchard based on only nitrogen spray produced weak trees with low yield and yield efficiency, while addition of a small quantity of ground-applied N improved tree growth and fruit quality.

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Influence of the main stem pruning and fruit thinning on quality of melon

Revista CERES ◽

10.1590/0034-737x201663060007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 63 (6) ◽

pp. 789-795

Author(s):

Rafaella Martins de Araújo Ferreira ◽

Edna Maria Mendes Aroucha ◽

Cristiane Alves de Paiva ◽

José Francismar de Medeiros ◽

Flavinicíus Pereira Barreto

Keyword(s):

Vitamin C ◽

Management Practices ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Main Stem ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Postharvest Quality ◽

Fruit Thinning ◽

Flesh Firmness

ABSTRACT Among many management practices used in melon crops, those that change source: sink relationship, such as pruning and fruit thinning, directly influence production, affect fruit size and its composition, including sugar and vitamin contents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of pruning of the main stem and time of fruit thinning in melon postharvest quality. Thus, two experiments were set up in Mossoró, state of Rio Grande do Norte, each with a melon hybrid (Amaregal and Banzai). Each experiment was conducted in a randomized block, in a (2 x 4) + 1 factorial design, 2 pruning management (with and without pruning), 4 levels of fruit thinning (3, 6, 9 and 12 DARB - days after removal agro textile blanket) and a control (without pruning and thinning), and four replications. Fruits were harvested at commercial maturity and transported to the Laboratory of Food Technology of UFERSA, where they were evaluated for the following characteristics: weight, diameter, length, flesh thickness, flesh firmness, soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity, soluble solids: titratable acidity ratio and vitamin C. No interaction between factors in any of the experiments was found. Titratable acidity (0.077%) and vitamin C content (3.4 mg/100 g) in Amaregal melon and soluble solids (10.2%) in Banzai melon were lower in the treatments with stem pruning. In Amaregal melon, fruits showed longer length (134 mm) and greater flesh firmness (40 N) when thinning was carried out on 6 DARB, and as thinning was delayed, it found a decrease in the values of soluble solids, SS: TA ratio and pH. In Banzai melon, fruits showed greater flesh thickness (33.5 mm) and SS: TA (247.5) ratio when thinning was carried out on 6 DARB. However, delay in thinning promoted an increase in pH and vitamin C content of the fruits. Pruning of the main stem and thinning season had effect on the quality of Amaregal and Banzai melons in different ways.

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GROWTH, YIELD AND POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF WAX APPLE AS AFFECTED BY NAPHTHALENE ACETIC ACID APPLICATION

Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura ◽

10.1590/0100-2945-062/14 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 410-422

Author(s):

MOHAMMAD MONERUZZAMAN KHANDAKER ◽

ABM SHARIF HOSSAIN ◽

NORMANIZA OSMAN ◽

NASHRIYAH MAT ◽

AMRU NASRULHAQ BOYCE

Keyword(s):

Acetic Acid ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Fruit Growth ◽

Field Conditions ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Postharvest Quality ◽

Naphthalene Acetic Acid

Results of this study represent the first report of the effect of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) on the pre and post harvest quality of wax apple fruit. The wax apple trees were spray treated with 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg L-1 NAA under field conditions during 2008 to 2011. The experiments were carried out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six replications. Leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic yield, net photosynthetic rate, drymatter content of leaves and total soluble solids and K+content of wax apple fruits were significantly increased after treatments with 10 mg L-1. Polygalacturonase activity significantly decreased with NAA treatments. The application of 5 mg L-1 NAA increased 27% more bud and reduced 42% less fruit drop compared to the control. In addition, higher protein and phosphate synthase activity of leaves, fruit set, fruit growth, larger fruit size and yield were recorded in NAA treated plants. In storage, treated fruits exhibited higher TSS and firmness and less weight loss, browning, titratable acidity, respiration and ethylene production than the control. It is concluded that spraying with 5 and 10 mg L-1 NAA once a week under field conditions produced better fruit growth and yield of the wax apple and maintained better fruit quality in postharvest storage.

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POSTHARVEST OF IRRADIATED TAHITI LIME FRUITS

Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura ◽

10.1590/0100-29452016272 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

Author(s):

SIMONE RODRIGUES DA SILVA ◽

DÉBORA NANCY FERNANDES BEZERRA ◽

MEIRE MENEZES BASSAN ◽

TATIANA CANTUARIAS-AVILÉS ◽

VALTER ARTHUR

Keyword(s):

Gamma Radiation ◽

Room Temperature ◽

Storage Period ◽

Ascorbic Acid Content ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Postharvest Quality ◽

Radiation Doses ◽

Solids Content ◽

Gamma Irradiated ◽

Physical And Chemical

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the postharvest quality evolution of gamma-irradiated ‘Tahiti’ limes. Shiny, olivegreen fruits with coarse skin (56 cm equatorial diameter) harvested in commercial orchars and processed in commercial packing house line were used. In a preliminary assay, fruits harvested in April 2011 were exposed to a gamma radiation range from 0 to 750 Gy. The 250 and 750 Gy doses negatively affected skin quality and pulp of exposed fruits. For this reason, new assays were carried out using lower doses to irradiate fruits harvested in July 2011 (off-season) and January 2012 (regular harvest period). Fruit harvested in both periods were selected and exposed to radiation doses of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy. All irradiations occurred at a rate of 0.46 Gy/h. After fruit irradiation, physical and chemical analyses were performed along a 20-day storage period at room temperature (24 ± 1ºC and 80 ± 5% RH). Irradiation of fruits harvested in July 2011 and January 2012 and treated with doses of up to 200 Gy did not affect the ascorbic acid content, but doses > 100 Gy caused skin yellowing of fruits harvested on both periods. Gamma radiation at doses = 50 Gy reduced the total soluble solids content in off-season fruits. Exposure of fruits harvested in the main harvest period to radiation doses = 150 Gy increased weight loss. Irradiation of ‘Tahiti’ limes at doses between 50 Gy and 700 Gy did not preserve postharvest quality during storage at room temperature.

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