Harvest Maturity Influences Fruit Quality of Carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.)

Author(s):  
Shafa Nayab ◽  
Kashif Razzaq ◽  
Sami Ullah ◽  
Ishtiaq Ahmad Rajwana ◽  
Muhammad Amin ◽  
...  

Harvest maturity determines the shelf life and nutritional quality of fruits. The present study was planned to determine the effect of harvest maturity on fruit quality of carambola. Fruits of carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) cv. “Arkin” were harvested at five maturity stages, i.e., M1 (100% green), M2 (75% green and 25% yellow), M3 (50% green and 50% yellow), M4 (25% green and 75% yellow), and M5 (100% yellow) and subjected to physico-chemical analysis. At eating soft stage, a significant linear increase in fruit juice percentage, total soluble solids (TSS), ripening index (TSS/TA) and fruit juice pH, while a decrease in rag content, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and titratable acidity (TA) was observed as the maturity progressed from 100% green to 100% yellow. Sensory evaluation data of fruit skin colour, flavour, texture, and acceptability showed the highest score for fruits harvested at 25% green and 75% yellow (M4) stage. In conclusion, harvest maturity significantly influenced various biochemical quality characteristics and carambola fruits harvested at 75% yellow (M4) is considered as an optimal harvest stage that exhibited best sensory and nutritional quality attributes.

Author(s):  
João M. de S. Miranda ◽  
Ítalo H. L. Cavalcante ◽  
Inez V. de M. Oliveira ◽  
Paulo R. C. Lopes ◽  
Joston S. de Assis

ABSTRACTThe production of high quality fruits is a necessary factor for the adaptation and production of plant species with economic viability. Thus, an experiment was conducted from July 2012 to January 2013 to evaluate the fruit quality of the ‘Eva’ and ‘Princesa’ apple cultivars as a function of nitrogen fertilization in Petrolina, PE, Brazil. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement 2 x 4, corresponding to apple cultivars (Eva and Princesa) and nitrogen doses (40; 80; 120 and 160 kg of N ha-1), with four replications and three plants in each plot. The fruit characteristics, such as fruit mass, skin color (luminosity, chromaticity, and colour angle), size (width and length), pulp firmness, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS) and the SS/TA ratio, were recorded. Nitrogen doses do not affect fruit quality of studied apple cultivars. The fruit quality attributes are different between apple cultivars: fruit firmness, SS/TA ratio, fruit mass and fruit diameter are superior for Princesa cultivar, while the fruit length for Eva cultivar is superior.


Horticulturae ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Carlos Agius ◽  
Sabine von Tucher ◽  
Wilfried Rozhon

Hydroponic cultivation of vegetables avoids problems with soil-borne plant pathogens and may allow higher yield. In arid climates and particularly on islands, high concentrations of sodium chloride can be present in the groundwater. For instance, in many sites of Malta, the groundwater contains more than 10 mM sodium chloride. Here we investigated the effects of sodium chloride at levels typically found in Malta on yield, physiology and fruit quality of tomato, the economically most important vegetable. We selected cherry tomatoes since their production is attractive due to their high marketing value. While the yield declined at higher salinity levels tested (17 and 34 mM), the quality increased significantly as indicated by higher total soluble solids and fructose and glucose levels. The type of substrate—coco peat, perlite or Rockwool—had only minor effects. Although the concentration of citric acid and malic acid remained unaffected, the pH dropped by approximately 0.1 unit and the titratable acidity increased slightly. This might be explained by a high uptake of chloride but a lower increase of the sodium content and a reduced potassium level in the fruits, shifting the equilibrium of the organic acids more to their protonated forms. Proline increased significantly, while the level of glutamic acid, which is crucial for the taste, remained unchanged. Our results show that cherry tomatoes can be cultivated in nutrient solutions prepared with salt-containing groundwater, as found in Malta. The yield declined to some extent but the quality of the produced fruits was higher compared to cultivation in salt-free media.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 551-557
Author(s):  
Gurjot Singh Pelia ◽  
◽  
A K Baswal ◽  

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-337
Author(s):  
Carlos Francisco Ragassi ◽  
Juliana Zucolotto ◽  
Lucas M Gomes ◽  
Cláudia SC Ribeiro ◽  
Nuno Rodrigo Madeira ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Mechanizing the harvest of Jalapeño pepper involves changes in the production system. Spacings between plants in rows (10 to 40 cm; 60 cm fixed between rows) were evaluated in relation to plant architecture, productivity and fruit quality of cultivar BRS Sarakura during three years, in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. Productivity (41.9 to 78.8 t ha-1) and plant height (40.1 to 47.3 cm) responded linearly to density; on the other hand, productivity per plant responded negatively (0.48 to 1.04 kg plant-1). The stem first bifurcation height was little influenced. Fruit chemical analyses were carried out in the second year of the experiment; spacing significantly influenced pH (5.36 to 4.84), total titratable acidity (TTA) (0.48 to 0.36%) and total soluble solids (TSS)/TTA ratio (11.5 to 15.6); no influence on TSS (5.65%) was noticed, though. The increase of plant population provided an increase in productivity without affecting fruit quality; the highest height of the first bifurcation achieved may not be enough to enable mechanized harvesting of the cultivar BRS Sarakura.


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 245
Author(s):  
Yixin Cai ◽  
Fumiomi Takeda ◽  
Brian Foote ◽  
Lisa Wasko DeVetter

Machine harvesting blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) alleviates labor costs and shortages but can reduce fruit quality. Installation of softer catching surfaces inside modified over-the-row harvesters (modified OTR) and adjusting harvest intervals may improve fruit quality and packout. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of harvest interval on fruit quality of fresh market northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) harvested using a modified OTR. ‘Liberty’ blueberry bushes were harvested by hand or using a modified OTR at 3-, 10-, and 14-day intervals in 2019 and at 7-, 11-, and 14-day intervals in 2020. Hand-harvested ‘Liberty’ had greater packout and firmness than machine-harvested fruit. Machine harvesting at the 3-day interval in 2019, and the 14-day interval in 2020 reduced packout from 70–80% to 60% and 54%, respectively. In 2019, machine harvesting at a 3-day interval overall resulted in fruit with greater firmness, higher titratable acidity (TA), and lower total soluble solids (TSS) and SS/TA, compared to other harvest intervals. In 2020, the 7-day machine-harvest interval had a greater TA and lower TSS/TA, compared to the 11- and 14-day intervals. Overall, modified OTR machine-harvest intervals can be extended to 10–11 days for fresh market northern highbush cultivars such as ‘Liberty’ grown in northwest Washington.


HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 652b-652
Author(s):  
P.M. Perkins-Veazie ◽  
J.K. Collins ◽  
N. Maness ◽  
B. Cartwright

High populations of melon aphid (aphis gossypii) reduce cantaloupe plant growth and yield; effects on subsequent fruit quality are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fruit quality from plants with high and low aphid populations. Up to 50% of melons from plants having high aphid populations were unmarketable due to surface sooty mold. Melons from plants with high or low aphid populations, but not cultivars, were similar in flesh quality. The internal color of `Perlita' and `Sweet Surprise' was a more yellow hue while that of `TAM Uvalde' was more orange. `Sweet Surprise' melons were lower in percent soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity, but were higher in mg fructose/ml juice compared to the other cultivars. A trained taste panel of 30 people evaluated melons from 2 cultivars showing little damage from melon aphid infestations and from 2 cultivars exhibiting high damage. All melons had similar taste qualities with acceptable sweetness, flavor, odor and texture. These results show that high aphid populations deleteriously affect cosmetic appearance, but not flesh quality, of melons.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro José Almanza-Merchán ◽  
Gerhard Fischer ◽  
Germán Eduardo Cely R.

Since 1998, the Ain-Karim Vineyard has been growing different grape varieties for the production of high-altitude tropical wines in the municipality of Sutamarchan, located in the Alto Ricaurte region of Boyaca (Colombia). Pruning is used to limit the number and length of branches, generating a suitable balance between plant vigor and production; thereby, regulating fruit quantity and quality and ensuring reserves for the subsequent production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three pruning types (short = two buds on two spurs; long = five buds on three spurs and mixed = combination of short and long pruning types) on the fruit quality of V. vinifera, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc varieties. To accomplish this, a completely randomized two-factor design was used. Physicochemical variables of fruit quality (fresh cluster weight, water content, total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA), technical maturity index (TMI), and pH) were determined at harvest. The long pruning type presented the highest values for the fresh cluster weight and TSS of the fruits from both varieties and a higher TMI in the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. These results indicate that, under the conditions of the vineyard, long pruning is the most suitable.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Regiana Dos Santos Moura ◽  
Hans Raj Gheyi ◽  
Everaldo Moreira Da Silva ◽  
Elisson de Araújo Dias ◽  
Caliane Silva Da Cruz ◽  
...  

The production of grafted passion fruit is an alternative for plant adaptation to saline environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of salt stress on physiology, biometry and fruit quality of P. edulis grafted on Passiflora spp. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design, in a 3 x 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to three species of Passiflora (P. edulis, P. gibertii and P. cincinnata) with P. edulis scion and two levels of irrigation water salinity (0.5 - control and 4.5 dS m-1), with four repetitions. Water salinity compromises gas exchanges (CO2 assimilation raste and transpiration) and physiological variables (total chlorophyll and total water consumption) in grafted P. edulis. The interaction between the factors (water salinity x species) compromised only the growth in plant height and number of leaves. In relation to the species, auto-grafted P. edulis stood out from the other species, with higher internal CO2 concentration, number of leaves, stem dry mass, peel thickness, total soluble solids (TSS) of the pulp and TSS/TA ratio (titratable acidity). Auto-grafted P. edulis under saline conditions develops vital mechanisms (TSS and TSS/TA), which attenuates the effects of salt stress on the physico-chemical quality of the fruits.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Carlos Agostinho Balate ◽  
Douglas Correa de Souza ◽  
Luis Felipe Lima e Silva ◽  
Luciane Vilela Resende ◽  
Sergio Tonetto de Freitas ◽  
...  

The use of abscisic acid (ABA) in agriculture has increased in the last few years due to the increase in ABA commercial availability at lower costs. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of exogenous ABA on tomato fruit quality parameters such as soluble solids (SS), total and soluble pectins, titratable acidity (TA) and flesh firmness. Tomatoes from the cultivar ‘Santa Clara’ were the study followed a complete randomized block desig, with four treatments in five repetitions. The treatments were plants not treated with ABA (control), foliar sprayed with ABA at 500 mg L-1, 150 mL drench with ABA at 500 mg L-1, or foliar plus drench treated with ABA. After harvesting, the physicochemical characteristics of the fruits were evaluated in the laboratory. All treatments were weekly applied to the plants from anthesis to harvest at fully maturity. Root treatment increased SS by up to 26.12%, increased ratio SS/TA, firmness and decreased soluble pectin. According to the results, it can be concluded that the application of ABA to leaves and roots can improve fruit quality by increasing the SS, ratio SS/TA. The method of application affects the SS content.


HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1051B-1051
Author(s):  
Jinhe Bai ◽  
Kristi Barckley ◽  
John Manthey

Pear texture is similar to that of apple—firm and crispy—and is one of the potential alternatives to apple. However, at a crispy stage the taste is flat. Improving the taste of pears is considered the key to the success of pear salad. This study evaluated the effect of harvest maturity on the quality of pear salad. Fruit were harvested at commercial maturity or 1 month delayed. After 2 and 5 months (1 and 4 months for delayed harvested fruit) of storage at –1 °C, fruit were sliced (eight to 10 wedges per fruit), treated with an anti-browning dip, packaged in zip-lock bags (10 pieces per bag), and stored at 1 °C for up to 21 days. Delayed harvested fruit were larger in size (≈12.5% increase in weight), had lower flesh firmness (≈5 N decrease), lower titratable acidity content (≈20% decrease), and a lower phenolic content (≈45% decrease in pulp). There was no significant difference in soluble solids content. After 2 months of storage, ethylene production and respiration rate were initially lower in delayed harvested fruit in either the intact fruit or cut slices, but tended to similar after 7 days in storage. Sensory evaluation results show that about 80% of the panel preferred delayed-harvested fruit over commercial harvest, especially in terms of visual quality (71% to 92%), sweetness (75% to 93%), taste (69% to 92%), texture of skin (61% to 92%), texture of flesh (53% to 92%), and overall quality (73% to 92%) during 21 days of storage at 1 °C. After 5 months of storage, cutting surface was dry-looking in delayed harvested fruit. However, sensory evaluation showed panels still preferred the delayed-harvested fruit. The results indicate that salad quality of pears can be improved by delaying harvest.


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