Physico-chemical evaluation of Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars grown in mid hills of North India
The objective of this study was to compare the physico-chemical properties of 10 apple cultivars grown in mid hills of India. Fruit weight, volume, size, total soluble solids (T.S.S.), total sugars, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content were measured in the cultivars Aurora, Brookfield, Braeburn, Galaxy, Azetec, Scarlet Gala, Marini Red, Jonagold, Royal Gala and Royal Delicious. The results showed significant differences in physico-chemical attributes of apple cultivars. Among all the cultivars the maximum fruit size (50.66 mm length, 74.73 mm diameter) and fruit weight (170.12 g) were observed in cv. Royal Delicious, while the minimum fruit size (40.52 mm length, 53.03 mm diameter) and weight (110.97 g) were measured in Azetec and Aurora, respectively. The highest volume (196.79 ml) of fruit was registered in Royal Delicious in comparison to the minimum (125.75 ml) in Aurora. The maximum T.S.S. (14.27 °B) and acidity (0.717%) was noticed in Scarlet Gala and Marini Red, respectively. While the minimum T.S.S. and acidity was observed in Marini Red (11.20 °B) and Azetec (0.186%). The ascorbic acid varied from 6.07 mg/100 g in Royal Gala to 9.86 mg/100 g in Braeburn, whereas the total sugar ranged 11.36% in Royal Gala to 7.06% in Jonagold.