scholarly journals The Use of Reflective Film and Ethephon to Improve Red Skin Color of Apples in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen S. Miller ◽  
George M. Greene

Replicated studies were conducted from 1996 to 1999 to evaluate the effect of a metalized reflective film (RF) on red color development in several apple (Malus ×domestica) cultivars that often develop poor to marginal color in the mid-Atlantic growing region. Film was applied to the orchard floor in the middle between tree rows or under the tree beginning 5 to 7 weeks before the predicted maturity date. Light reflected into the canopy from the RF was measured and compared with a standard orchard sod, a killed sod or various polyethylene films. Fruit color was estimated visually and with a hand-held spectrophotometer. Fruit quality (firmness, soluble solids, starch index) was determined from a representative sample of fruit. RF increased the level of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) reflected into the canopy resulting in darker, redder colored `Delicious', `Empire', and `Fuji' apples with a greater proportion of surface showing red color. RF increased canopy temperature and fruit surface temperature. A white polyethylene film increased reflected PPF and fruit color, but generally not to the extent of the metalized RF. Large [>13 ft (4.0 m) height] well-pruned `Delicious' trees showed increased fruit color, especially when the RF was placed under the canopy, but `Empire' trees of similar size and a more dense canopy showed no effect. The effect of the RF was most pronounced in the lower portion [up to 8 ft (2.4 m) height] of the canopy. A high-density RF was as effective as a low-density RF and the high-density film was about 60% less expensive. A high-density RF may be a cost effective method to enhance red color on selected apple cultivars in the mid-Atlantic region. Comparisons between ethephon and the RF were variable: ethephon appeared to have more effect on color in `Empire' than the RF, but less effect than the RF on `Hardibrite Delicious'. Ethephon consistently advanced fruit maturity. Chemical name used: (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon).

1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard P. Marini ◽  
Donald Sowers ◽  
Michele Choma Marini

Girdled or nongirdled `Biscoe' peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch) secondary scaffold branches were covered with shade fabric to provide a range of photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) from 44 to 20 days before harvest (DBH), from 20 to 0 DBH or 44 to 0 DBH. Fruit quality was affected differently by the various periods of shade during the final swell of fruit development. Shading 40 to 20 DBH did not affect fruit weight or quality, whereas shading 44 to 0 DBH had the greatest effect on fruit weight and quality. Fruit quality was generally similar on branches exposed to 100% and 45% incident PPFD (IPPFD). Fruit on” girdled branches generally responded to shade more than fruit on nongirdled branches. Fruit weight was positively related to percent IPPFD for girdfed but not nongirdled branches shaded 20 to 0 DBH and 44 to DBH. On nongirdled branches, fruit exposed to 45% IPPFD for 44 to 0 DBH had 14% less red color and 21% lower soluble solids content (SSC) than nonshaded fruit. Harvest was delayed >10 days and preharvest fruit drop was increased by shading to <23% IPPFD. Shading branches for 20 to 0 or 44 to 0 DBH altered the relationship between flesh firmness and ground color: Firmness declined as ground color changed from green to yellow for fruit shaded 44 to 20 DBH, but firmness declined with little change in ground color for fruit shaded 20 to 0 or 44 to 0 DBH. Girdling results indicated that fruit weight and SSC partially depended on photosynthate from nonshaded portions of the canopy, whereas fruit redness, days from bloom to harvest, and ground color depended on PPFD in the vicinity of the fruit.


Author(s):  
Franci Štampar ◽  
Jan Bizjak ◽  
Robert Veberič ◽  
Jerneja Jakopič

The red color of skin is a much desired property in apple production. For better red fruit coloration the applications of foliar fertilizers on the basis of calcium and phosphorus are used. In the present study ‘Braeburn’ apple trees were sprayed twice with Phostrade Ca (phosphorus), 5 and 3 weeks before harvest. In 7-days intervals fruit color, the content of flavonoids and enzyme activity involved in the synthesis of anthocyanins have been monitored. Foliar application of Phostrade Ca caused a more intense red skin color of apples and higher anthocyanin content. Their level increased during ripening, in treated apples the content of total anthocyanins was 20-fold higher at harvest while in control apples only 9-fold higher compared to the initial values. Cyanidin 3-galactoside was the most abundant anthocyanin (80 to 86% of total anthocyanins), followed by cyanidin 3-arabinoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-xyloside and cyanidin 7-arabinoside. Prostrade Ca increased the levels of all quercetin glycosides, with the exception of quercetin 3-rhamnoside. No significant influence of Phostrade Ca on the content of hydroxycinnamic acids, dihydrochalcones, flavanols and total phenolics has been monitored. The activity of FHT and DFR increased during ripening but Phostrade Ca influenced only higher activity of DFR.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (11) ◽  
pp. 1118-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Fontanella Brighenti ◽  
Douglas André Würz ◽  
Mateus da Silveira Pasa ◽  
Leo Rufato

Abstract: The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of plant growth regulators for enhancing fruit color of 'Gala Standard' apples (Malus domestica). The experiment was carried out in the 2015 and 2016 crop seasons. The treatments consisted of water, as a control; 300 mg L-1 ethephon, as a positive control; 400 mg L-1 prohydrojasmonate; and 400 mg L-1 abscisic acid. Flesh firmness, soluble solids content, fruit weight, and red color were assessed after harvest. Plant growth regulators enhanced red color of fruit and chlorophyll degradation. Prohydrojasmonate and abscisic acid did not reduce flesh firmness, in the 2016 season.


2003 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara Senger Lewallen ◽  
Richard P. Marini

The influence of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) on peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] fruit quality and the relationship between ground color and flesh firmness was studied by performing three experiments. Fruit with varying ground colors were sampled from different canopy positions with varying PPF. Fruit skin color was measured with a tristimulus colorimeter and values for L* (lightness), chroma (brightness), and hue angle (numerical values for color) were calculated for each fruit. Fruit from the canopy exterior generally were larger, had more surface area colored red, had higher soluble solids concentrations, and were darker, duller, and redder than fruit harvested from interior positions. In all three experiments, the relationship between hue angle and fruit firmness was affected by PPF, but the nature of the relationship (linear vs. curvilinear) and the influence of position was not consistent. When fruit were covered with aluminum foil or a section of the fruit surface was covered with duct tape to prevent light-induced red coloration of the skin, the relationship between hue angle and fruit firmness was similar for different canopy positions. Therefore, the relationship between ground color and fruit firmness is influenced by the light environment in which a fruit develops, and not by canopy position. Ground color does not seem to be a good indicator of fruit firmness because fruit with the same hue angle had greatly differing firmnesses.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
KELLINA OLIVEIRA DE SOUZA ◽  
CARLOS FARLEY HERBSTER MOURA ◽  
MÔNICA MARIA DE ALMEIDA LOPES ◽  
MARCELA CRISTINA RABELO ◽  
MARIA RAQUEL ALCÂNTARA DE MIRANDA

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was study the postharvest quality of acerola clone BRS 236 (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) which was harvested at physiological maturity and submitted to four treatments under immersion during 5 minutes at 25 °C, which are: control (water), 60 mg L-1; 120 mg L-1 and 180 mg L-1. After treatment the fruits were packed in polystyrene trays and placed with polyethylene film and then stored at 10 ± 2 °C and 85 ± 5% RH for 12 days. Were analyzed in three days intervals (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days): skin color, firmness, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, SS/TA ratio, vitamin C and yellow flavonoids. Vitamin C, anthocyanins and yellow flavonoids were not influenced by treatments with GA3 at the end of 12-day of cold storage at 10 ºC. The exogenous application of 120 mg L-1 of GA3 resulted in retention of red color and content of anthocyanins of acerola fruits BRS 236 clone 12-day storage at 10 °C.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Burhan Ozturk ◽  
Kenan Yıldız ◽  
Halil Erdem ◽  
Orhan Karakaya ◽  
Ahmet Ozturk

Effects of pre-harvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, 250 mg L–1) and zinc (0.3% ZnSO4) treatments on pre-harvest fruit drops, internal ethylene concentration (IEC), flesh firmness, color characteristics (L*, chroma and hue angle), soluble solids content (SSC), acidity, total phenolics, antioxidant activity, flesh and leaf micronutrients and macronutrients of ‘William’s Pride’ apples, were investigated in this study. AVG was sprayed 4 weeks before the anticipated harvest date and Zn was sprayed when the fruits reached the size of a walnut. As compared to the control, both the single AVG and zinc treatments significantly reduced the pre-harvest drops. However, combined AVG + Zinc treatments were found to be more effective in reducing the pre-harvest drops. At the last measurement date (15th of August), 60% fruit drop was measured in control, but 22% in AVG + Zinc treatment. AVG and AVG + Zinc treatments reduced ethylene synthesis. On the other hand, single zinc treatments stimulated ethylene synthesis. AVG treatments retarded red skin color development, but zinc treatments again stimulated red color development. As compared to the control and single zinc treatments, AVG-treated fruits had greater firmness and acidity values, but lower SSC values. While AVG treatments increased the total phenolics and antioxidant activity, zinc treatments decreased these attributes. As compared to the control, zinc treatments significantly increased flesh Cu, N, P and K contents and leaf Mn, N and P contents. Based on present findings, it was concluded that AVG could be used as an efficient tool to reduce the pre-harvest drops in apples.


2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Michael Glenn ◽  
Stephen Drake ◽  
Judith A. Abbott ◽  
Gary J. Puterka ◽  
Patricia Gundrum

Experiments were performed over 3 years to examine the effect that particle film (PF) treatment had on fruit quality of several apple (Malus ×domestica) cultivars in Washington and West Virginia. In the first study, a highly reflective, white, hydrophilic particle-based kaolin mineral (Surround WP) was applied to `Empire' apple in May and June, on a season-long basis, or not at all. Red fruit color was increased by both the PF treatments compared with no treatment in all years. In a second study, the PF material was applied, starting at petal fall, every week for 6 weeks and then every 2 weeks until harvest to `Empire', `Gala', and `Fuji' trees in West Virginia and to `Cameo', `Fuji', and `Gala' trees in Washington. In the latter study, cultivar response to season-long applications varied by year and location. `Empire' consistently had improved red color with season-long applications of PF materials. `Gala' had greater fruit weight and red color with PF application in 1 of 2 years in West Virginia but not in Washington. `Fuji' had greater fruit weight and soluble solids content and `Cameo' had greater soluble solids, higher starch indices, and greater red color in Washington with the PF application. In these studies, application of a PF never reduced the surface red color in apples. A taste panel did not identify quality differences in `Empire' apples treated with PF vs. the control. Cultivar responses to PF applications were variable due to location and yearly environmental characteristics. While particle film technology has value for insect control and reducing sunburn, it has limited value to enhance fruit color due to the inconsistent response.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
Makful Makful ◽  
Kuswandi Kuswandi ◽  
Sahlan Sahlan ◽  
Mega Andini

Hybrid breeding of watermelon has led to the formation of high-yielding varieties. The objectives of the research were to determine the performance of hybrid watermelon of the Indonesian Tropical Fruit Research Institute (ITFRI) collection and to evaluate the superiority of each hybrid. The research has been conducted at Sumani Experimental Garden, ITFRI, Solok, West Sumatera, from April to July 2016. The material used consisted of 19 cross combinations. The data from this descriptive study were presented in the form of averages and pictures. The results showed that the hybrids that were tested showed diversity in size, fruit skin color, flesh color, skin thickness and fruit sweetness. Hybrids with three excellent characters, i.e. medium fruit weight, high total soluble solids (TSS) value, and moderate rind thickness, were not yet obtained. Hybrids that had the superiority in term of sweet taste and shelf life were BT1 × SGP, BT4 × BT4P, BT5 × BT4, BT6 × SGP and SGP × BT6. Keywords: hybrid, performance, total soluble solids, watermelon   ABSTRAK Pemuliaan hibrida pada semangka mengarah kepada pembentukan varietas berdaya hasil tinggi. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui keragaan hibrida semangka koleksi Balitbu Tropika dan untuk mengevaluasi keunggulan masing-masing hibrida Penelitian dilaksanakan di Kebun Percobaan Sumani, Balitbu Tropika, Solok, Sumatera Barat, dari bulan April sampai dengan Juli 2016. Materi yang digunakan terdiri dari 19 kombinasi persilangan. Data hasil penelitian deskriptif ini ditampilkan dalam bentuk rataan dan gambar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa hibrida yang diuji memiliki keragaman dalam ukuran, warna kulit buah, warna daging buah, ketebalan kulit buah dan kemanisan. Belum ditemukan hibrida yang memiliki tiga karakter unggul, yang terdiri dari bobot buah sedang, total padatan terlarut (total soluble solid) tinggi, dan kulit buah agak tebal. Hibrida yang memiliki keunggulan berupa rasa manis dan tahan simpan adalah BT1 × SGP, BT4 × BT4P, BT5 × BT4, BT6 × SGP dan SGP × BT6. Kata kunci: hibrida, keragaan, semangka, total padatan terlarut


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 548a-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Glenn ◽  
G. Puterka ◽  
T. Baugher ◽  
T. Unruh ◽  
S. Drake

Hydrophobic particle film technology (HPF) is a developing pest control system for tree fruit production systems. Studies were established in Chile, and Washington, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in the United States, to evaluate the effect of HPF technology on tree fruit yield and quality. Studies in Chile, Washington, and West Virginia demonstrated increased photosynthetic rate at the leaf level. Yield was increased in peaches (Chile) and apples (West Virginia), and fruit size was increased in apples (Washington and Pennsylvania). Increased red color in apple was demonstrated at all sites with reduced russetting and `Stayman' cracking in Pennsylvania. HPF technology appears to be an effective tool in reducing water and heat stress in tree fruit resulting in increased fruit quality.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 510f-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.C. Ferree ◽  
S.J. McArtney ◽  
D.M. Scurlock

Four French–American hybrid grape cultivars grown in a greenhouse were subjected to 5 days of 80% shade at four different times around bloom. Fruit set of `Seyval' was reduced by shade imposed before, during, or immediately after bloom. `Vidal' and `Chambourcin' were less sensitive, with fruit set reduced only by shade at bloom. Shade had little effect on fruit set of `DeChaunac'. In a second study, `Chambourcin' vines were exposed to ambient, ambient plus supplemental lights, and 30%, 50%, or 80% shade for 5 weeks beginning just prior to bloom. Fruit set was positively related to light intensity. At harvest, soluble solids, pH, and hue angle had a negative linear relationship to light level. Fruit color developed earliest and most rapidly with the reduced light treatments applied at bloom. Cluster weight was positively related to light intensity.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document